Long summer is the seventh solar term among the twenty-four solar terms and the first solar term in summer. The festival is held on May 05-07 of the Gregorian calendar every year. At this time, the bucket handle of the Big Dipper points to the southeast, and the longitude of the sun reaches 45. Long summer is an important solar term that marks the growth of everything in the peak season.

In astronomy, long summer said farewell to spring, which is the beginning of summer. People used to regard long summer as an important solar term when the temperature rises obviously, the summer heat is coming, the thunderstorm increases and crops enter the peak season.

In long summer season, the temperature difference between north and south of China is great, and the same area fluctuates frequently. The average temperature in most parts of the country is around 18-20℃.

Traditional customs in long summer:

1, welcome summer

In ancient times, people attached great importance to long summer's manners and customs. In the old days, on this day in long summer, the ancient emperors would lead hundreds of officials to the southern suburbs of Beijing to welcome the summer and hold a ceremony to welcome the summer. The monarch and his subjects all wear red ceremonial clothes with red jade ornaments, and even horses and car flags should be red to express their desire for a bumper harvest and good wishes. In the court, it is also necessary to "open the ice in summer and give it to the civil and military ministers." Ice was stored last winter and given to officials by the emperor.

2. Eat eggs

In the folk, there is a saying that "long summer eats eggs, but the stones crush them", which means that when long summer eats eggs, people will be full of energy. Children hang egg covers made of silk thread around their necks, which are filled with boiled eggs and duck eggs. Some of them draw patterns on the eggs and try their best to compete with each other, which is called egg collision.

3. Weighing people

Long summer has the custom of weighing people after lunch. People hang a big wooden scale at the entrance of the village or the entrance of the platform, and a stool is hung on the scale hook. Everyone takes turns sitting on the stool to weigh people. While weighing flowers, the weigher spoke auspicious words.