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后天就是二十四节气中的第七个节气-立夏，今天就和大家分享一下这个节气有关的知识和风俗。
重温二十四节气整体介绍和已经介绍过的节气，可以点击链接：
用英语讲好中国文化-24节气 Chinese Twenty-Four Solar Terms
用英语讲好中国文化-24节气之春分Spring Equinox
用英语讲好中国文化-24节气之清明 Pure Brightness （Qingming）
用英语讲好中国文化-24节气之谷雨Grain Rain
Start of Summer, one of the traditional
Twenty-Four Solar Terms in China, typically falls between May 5th and 7th of
the Gregorian calendar. It arrives when the Sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 45
degrees. At this juncture, the handle of the Big Dipper points southeast, and
the contrast between day and night becomes increasingly stark. Daylight
lengthens while darkness shortens, as nature's clock stealthily steps into
summer mode. Sunlight duration extends, temperatures gradually rise,
thunderstorms become frequent, and abundant rainfall signals the approach of
the rainy season. All these changes collectively mark the commencement of
nature's transformation into her vibrant summer attire.
立夏一般落在每年公历5月5日至7日之间，当太阳黄经达45度时，这一节气翩然而至。此刻，北斗七星的斗柄指向东南，昼夜长短的变化愈发明显，白昼渐长，黑夜渐短，大自然的时钟悄然步入夏季的步伐。阳光普照的时间延长，气温逐步攀升，雷电活动频繁，雨水充沛，预示着雨季的临近，这一切皆为大地换装夏季盛装拉开了序幕。
During Start of Summer, the Earth dons a
lush green cloak. Verdant trees form dense canopies shading the ground, flowers
that have withered give way to abundant fruits, and crops in the fields rapidly
shoot up, presenting a scene brimming with vitality. The disparity in climate
between northern and southern regions is particularly pronounced at this time.
Southern areas are already teeming with greenery, with ponds shimmering emerald
against the backdrop of pavilions and pagodas, whereas some parts of the north
are still basking at the tail end of spring, eagerly anticipating summer's
arrival.
立夏节气，大地披上了翠绿的盛装。树木葱郁，浓荫蔽日，花儿凋谢后结出累累果实，田间作物快速拔节生长，展现出一派生机勃勃的景象。南北地域气候差异在此时尤为显著，南方地区早已是绿意盎然，池塘碧波荡漾，映衬着亭台楼阁，而北方部分地区则正经历春暖花开的尾声，迎接夏季的到来。
Start of Summer holds significant guidance
for agricultural activities. At this juncture, the focus of field management
shifts to pest control, fertilization, and intensified irrigation, ensuring
crops receive ample nutrients during their peak growth period. Farmers closely
monitor weather fluctuations, adapt farming schedules accordingly, and hope
that the Start of Summer's abundant sunshine and favorable temperatures will
nurture a bountiful autumn harvest. In ancient times, the Start of Summer was
not only a crucial timeline in agricultural societies but also an important
occasion for people to conduct various rituals, beseeching bumper grain yields
and a peaceful year.
立夏对农事活动具有重要指导意义。此时，田间管理重心转向防治病虫害、追施肥料、加强灌溉等，以确保作物在生长旺季得到充足养分，茁壮成长。农民们密切关注天气变化，灵活调整农事计划，期盼立夏带来的充沛阳光与适宜温度能孕育出硕果累累的金秋。在古代，立夏不仅是农耕社会的重要时间节点，更是人们通过各种祭祀活动祈求五谷丰登、年岁安宁的重要时刻。
Regarding the Start of Summer, there is a
wealth of diverse customs across the regions:
关于立夏，各地还有着丰富多彩的习俗：
Welcoming Summer Ceremony: In ancient
times, on the day of the Start of Summer, the emperor, accompanied by his civil
and military officials, would journey to the southern outskirts of the capital
to welcome summer, conducting a ceremony. Both the ruler and his subjects would
wear vermilion ceremonial robes, adorned with vermilion jade pendants, even
their horses, chariots, and flags would be vermilion-colored, symbolizing their
ardent desire for a bountiful harvest.
迎夏仪式：古代，在立夏的这一天，帝王要率文武百官到京城南郊去迎夏，举行迎夏仪式。君臣一律穿朱色礼服，配朱色玉佩，连马匹、车旗都要朱红色的，以表达期待丰收的美好愿望。
Start of Summer Rice: Prepared by cooking
together five colorful varieties of beans and grains, this dish is visually
striking, symbolizing abundant grain harvests. People partake in it, praying
for prosperity and good health.
立夏饭：由五种颜色的豆米共同烹煮而成，色彩斑斓，寓意五谷丰登，人们以此祈愿生活富饶，身体健康。
Tying Zhuxia Strings: Children's wrists or
other body parts are adorned with multicolored silk threads, expressing the
wish to ward off summer heat.
系疰夏绳：把五色丝线系在小孩的手腕等处，表达消除暑气的愿望。
Egg Dueling Game: Children engage in playful competition, holding boiled eggs and bumping them against each other. The one whose eggshell remains unbroken emerges victorious, symbolizing resilience and adding to the festive joy.
斗蛋游戏：孩子们手持煮熟的鸡蛋互相碰撞，蛋壳坚而不破者为胜，象征着生命力的顽强，也增添了节日的欢乐气氛。
Weighing People: On Start of Summer, folks
weigh themselves, using changes in weight as a reminder to pay attention to
their health and adjust their diet and lifestyle accordingly.
秤人：人们在立夏这一天称量体重，通过测量体重的变化，提醒人们关注身体健康，调整饮食起居。
Sampling the Three New Things: Popular in
the Jiangnan region, this custom involves savoring seasonal fruits and
vegetables, along with fresh aquatic delicacies such as cherries, green plums,
soybeans, garlic sprouts, and more, allowing people to appreciate nature's
bounty and taste the progression of the seasons.
尝三新：江南地区盛行“尝三新”，即品尝时令果蔬与鲜美水产，如樱桃、青梅、蚕豆、蒜苗等，以体验自然馈赠，品味季节流转。
These customs all embody people's love for
life and aspirations for the future.
这些习俗都寓含着人们对生活的热爱与对未来的期许。
说明：文中部分图片来源于网络，如有侵权，请联系删除。
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