The origin of Lixia:

The solar term Lixia has been established in the late Warring States Period (239 BC), heralding the change of seasons and the beginning of summer throughout the year. .

According to climatological standards, summer begins when the five-day average temperature reaches 22°C. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the temperature in the Beginning of Summer is roughly close to the climatological standard, and this area is the origin of the twenty-four solar terms. From this point of view, it is in line with the actual situation that the Beginning of Summer Festival is regarded as the beginning of summer in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.

Customs of the Beginning of Summer:

1. In ancient times, emperors would lead civil and military officials to the southern suburbs of the capital to welcome summer and hold a summer welcoming ceremony.

Both monarchs and ministers wear vermilion formal attires and vermilion jade pendants. Even the horses and carriage flags must be vermilion to express their aspirations for a good harvest and good wishes. In the palace, "it was the beginning of summer and the ice was given to ministers of civil and military affairs." The ice was stored in the previous winter and given to officials by the emperor. Among the people, people drink cold drinks to cool down on the first day of summer. In the beginning of summer, there is a custom of cooking tender broad beans in the water towns of Jiangnan. In some places, there is also the custom of greeting people on the first day of summer.

2. Health Preservation After the Beginning of Summer, the weather gradually turns hotter, so the diet should be light, mainly foods that are easy to digest and rich in vitamins. Eat less big fish, meat, and greasy and spicy foods.

The dietary principle after the beginning of summer is "nourishing yang in spring and summer". Nourishing yang focuses on nourishing the heart. To nourish the heart, you can drink more milk, eat more soy products, chicken, lean meat, etc., which can not only supplement nutrition, but also play a role in nourishing the heart. Psychotonic effect. Eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains at ordinary times can increase the supply of fiber, vitamins B and C, and can prevent arteriosclerosis. In short, during the beginning of summer, we need to nourish the heart, prepare for surviving the scorching heat, and ensure that the organs of the body function normally, so as to achieve the state of "enough righteousness and no evil". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "heat easily damages the qi" and "heat easily enters the heart". Therefore, during this season, people should pay attention to mental recuperation and strengthen the maintenance of the heart. Especially the elderly should consciously carry out mental recuperation to maintain a calm and happy mood. They should avoid being overly sad or overjoyed to avoid being sad or harming the body. , sad.