立夏：蛙鳴蟬叫初夏來

Beginning of Summer: Frogs and cicadas call for an early summer

中國的二十四節(jié)氣，最初是以北斗斗柄指向確定。當(dāng)北斗斗柄指向東南，為立夏。這是夏天的第一個(gè)節(jié)氣，二十四節(jié)氣中的第七個(gè)。

China's 24 solar terms were initially determined by the direction of the Big Dipper handle. When the handle of the Big Dipper points to the southeast, it is the Beginning of Summer. This is the first solar term in summer, the seventh of the 24 solar terms.

立夏時(shí)節(jié)，萬物繁茂。螻蟈的鳴叫喚醒了初夏的寧靜，蚯蚓開始活動(dòng)，田間的瓜與野菜也在旺盛的生長著。由于中國地域廣闊、南北跨度大，各地自然節(jié)律不一，中國只有福州到南嶺一線以南地區(qū)是真正的夏季；而東北和西北的部分地區(qū)這時(shí)則剛剛進(jìn)入春季。無論大江南北，此時(shí)都是農(nóng)作物旺盛生長的最好時(shí)節(jié)，麥田間、稻田中、茶園里……人們正紅紅火火的忙碌著。

In the Beginning of Summer, everything flourishes and life rejuvenates. The chirp of the mole beetle breaks the tranquility of early summer. The earthworm stirs to life and melons and wild vegetables in the field start growing vigorously. Because of China's vast territory, north-south span and different natural rhythms, only the south to Fuzhou to Nanling line experiences real summer in China, while parts of the northeast and northwest enter spring. Whether it’s on the north or south of the river, it's the best time for crops to grow. In the wheat fields, rice fields and tea gardens, people are busy working.

中國古代很重視立夏節(jié)氣。據(jù)記載，立夏當(dāng)天，古時(shí)的帝王要率文武百官到郊外“迎夏”，表達(dá)對(duì)豐收的祈求和美好的愿望。

Ancient China attached great importance to the solar term of Beginning of Summer. According to historical records, on the day of Beginning of Summer, the ancient emperor led all officials of civil and military affairs to the outskirts to "welcome summer" and express his wish for a good harvest.

這一天，也是“啟冰”的日子。將去年冬天貯藏在冰窖中的冰塊取出，由皇帝賞賜給百官。在民間，街坊之中也有“涼水”售賣，或輔以楊梅、桃子、花紅之類，俗稱“冰桃子”、“冰楊梅”，想來也別有一番滋味。

This day was also the day of "Qibing". The ice stored in the ice cellar last winter was taken out and the emperor would reward the officials. According to folklore, "cold water" was sold in the neighborhood, infused with arbutus, peaches, red flowers and so on, commonly known as "ice peaches" and "ice arbutus” — a distinctive delicacy.

立夏傳統(tǒng)風(fēng)俗眾多，有些保留至今。中國南方一些地區(qū)的人們會(huì)用赤豆、黃豆、黑豆、青豆、綠豆等五色豆拌合白粳米煮成“五色飯”，俗稱“立夏飯”；閩南地區(qū)吃蝦面，即購買海蝦摻入面條中煮食，海蝦熟后變紅，為吉祥之色，而蝦與夏諧音，以此為對(duì)夏天的祝愿；要說有趣的，當(dāng)屬“斗蛋”游戲，這天，家家戶戶煮好雞蛋，套上絲網(wǎng)袋，掛在孩子脖子上，有的還在蛋上繪畫圖案，小孩子三五成群，相互用力比試，稱為斗蛋。

There are many traditional customs of Beginning of Summer, some of which have been preserved up to now. People in some areas of southern China use red beans, soybeans, black beans, green soy beans, mung beans to mix rice to cook "five-colored rice", commonly known as "Beginning of Summer rice”. In Southern Fujian, eating shrimp noodles is popular. People buy sea shrimps and mix them into noodles to cook, the sea shrimps turn red when they are cooked, which is an auspicious color in Chinese tradition. The words shrimp and summer share similar pronunciation in Chinese, so shrimp noodles heralds the beginning of summer. Apart from cooking, people also play games. Families indulge in “Fighting Eggs Play” in which they cook eggs, put them in a silk net bag and hang the eggs on children’s neck, and some paint patterns on the eggs. Then children in groups of three or five play with each other and the game is called Fighting Eggs.

二十四節(jié)氣，作為中國古老而科學(xué)的“時(shí)間制度”，在漫長的農(nóng)耕時(shí)代，不僅僅充當(dāng)著農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)的指南針，更是千百年間百姓熱氣騰騰的民俗生活。

Twenty-four solar terms, as an ancient and scientific "time system" in China, not only serve as a compass for agricultural production, but also as an integral part of folk life for thousands of years.