Beginning of summer in early May

Frogs begin to crow, earthworms emerge, bamboo shoots grow

 

 

"Early Summer on the Pond"

[Tang Dynasty] Bai Juyi

 

The water accumulates in the spring pond late,

Yinjiao is full of trees in summer.

Boats are like wild crossings,

The fence is like a river village.

Quietly blowing the music on the bed,

The fragrance opens the wine cellar door.

Nothing to do but leisurely,

Sometimes I play with my little grandson.

 

Beginning of summer is the beginning of summer. Summer is approaching, the new green is dazzling, and the breeze is blowing. The Yang Qi is strong, frogs are croaking beside the paddy fields, and earthworms are emerging from the ground due to increased rainfall. The weather is getting hotter, vines are growing rapidly, and you can also start picking summer melons.

 

Beginning of Summer health-regulating heart-fire food supplement

• There is a folk proverb that goes, "The beginning of summer nourishes the elderly", which means that after the beginning of summer, we should pay attention to the nutrition of the elders in the family to avoid loss of appetite.
• Starting from the beginning of summer, the focus of recuperating the five elements is the heart of the main fire. Eat more light foods such as fruits and vegetables, and remember to eat less fried, spicy and hot foods to avoid getting angry physically and mentally. In addition, in order to replenish the water lost due to excessive sweating, you can start drinking cool and antipyretic herbal tea, or eat summer-relieving porridge made from lotus seeds, mung beans, lentils and millet.

 

beginning of summerImportant events of the year

Japan

• May 5th: Dragon Boat Festival (たんごのせつく), Zigong Day (こどもの日): The Dragon Boat Festival originated from China and spread to Japan. After the changes of the times, it became Children's Day (note). Families with boys will display May figures (ごがつにんぎょう) and hang carp streamers (こいのぼり) to pray that the boy will grow up healthily, and that the carp will leap over the dragon gate and become successful.
• Kyoto on May 15th. Aoi Matsuri (あおいまつり): A festival held in ancient times to calm down the wind and rain and pray for a good harvest. The "Aoi Matsuri Procession" of the Heian Period will be recreated. It starts from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, passes by Shimogamo Shrine, and finally arrives at Kamigamo Shrine. Ox carts The procession of travelers is decorated with sunflower leaves and stretches for 1 kilometer.

 

Note | Dragon Boat Festival wagashi:

• In the Kanto region, people eat kashiwa mochi (かしわもち) wrapped in oak leaves. Because the oak tree grows new buds and old leaves do not fall off, it is a good omen to pray that "the family line will not wither."
• Rice dumplings (ちまき) in the Kansai region commemorate the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Uiro sweet cakes made of rice flour wrapped in bamboo leaves are in the shape of a long cone.

 

China

• At the beginning of summer, the ancients would go out of the city to meet the Summer God 7 miles away in the southern suburbs. This ceremony means that although the Summer God has descended on the earth, he has not yet reached the center of the city. He will have to wait for the summer solstice 45 days later before the Xia Society Festival will be held at the palace in the city.
• Some crops sown in spring can be harvested in the Beginning of Summer, such as cherries, green plums, and wheat. They can be tasted at this time. The ancients called them "taste the three new things" and they became an important ritual food in the Beginning of Summer.
• The new Grain Rain tea has now been made. Tea makers in the Jiangnan area will bring their own newly roasted tea leaves and mix them to brew a large pot of "Qijia Tea". It is also important for neighbors to liven up their feelings and drink Qijia Tea together in the Beginning of Summer. Try new activities.