Summer Solstice: longest day, sun blazes bright
Summer Solstice (xiazhi), the tenth of the twenty-four solar terms and the fourth solar term of summer. Falling on June 21-22 each year when the sun reaches 90° of ecliptic longitude, Summer Solstice marks the moment when the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest daylight and the sun reaches its highest noon altitude. After this point, daylight progressively shortens while nights lengthen.
Climatically, as Summer Solstice arrives, China enters the advanced stage of midsummer. The south experiences frequent thunderstorms and severe convection; the Jiangnan region is active with plum rains; and the north sees steadily increasing high-temperature days. Heat prevention and cooling, flood prevention and drainage, and field management become the primary focus.
First Aspect - Deer Shed Antlers: Deer shed their antlers from the base, responding to the waxing and waning of yin and yang.
Second Aspect - Cicadas Begin to Call: As summer heat intensifies, cicadas begin their song, announcing that summer's mood deepens.
Third Aspect - Pinellia Grows: The medicinal herb pinellia flourishes in midsummer, and all things reach peak abundance.
Rest: Sleep late and rise early with appropriate midday rest. Maintain room ventilation and cooling; avoid the intense midday sun when outdoors; heat prevention and cooling take priority.
Diet: Emphasize light, low-oil foods that fortify the spleen, benefit qi, and clear heat while generating fluids. Favor bitter melon, lotus seeds, lotus root, winter melon, mung bean soup, lotus leaf congee, and seasonal fruits and melons; minimize spicy, fried, and overly sweet or cold beverages.
Exercise: In early morning or evening, engage in moderate aerobic activity such as walking, jogging, tai chi, and swimming, maintaining mild perspiration and paying attention to hydration and electrolyte balance.
Emotions: Summer heat can easily cause irritation; focus on clearing the heart and calming the spirit through quiet sitting and breathing exercises, and brief outings in nature to maintain an even mood.
Summer Solstice Noodles: In the north, the tradition of eating noodles and cold noodles on Summer Solstice helps clear summer heat, stimulates appetite, and celebrates the season.
Summer Solstice Rituals: In ancient times, ceremonial sacrifices were performed at Summer Solstice, expressing hope for abundant harvests and well-being.
Summer Cooling and Refreshment: Practices include sitting in tree shade, hanging bamboo curtains, drinking sour plum juice, and other methods of living in harmony with the season.
Counting into the Dog Days: A folk saying states "Count the Three Deng Days from Summer Solstice to enter the dog days." Beginning with the third Deng Day after Summer Solstice, people gradually enter the "three fu" (三伏, the three hottest periods), when summer damp-heat intensifies.
Summer Solstice follows Mangzhong and precedes Minor Heat. Its key characteristic is that the Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest daylight and the sun reaches its highest altitude angle. After this point, daylight gradually shortens and nights lengthen, yet the ground continues warming and summer heat will intensify.
Astronomical Significance: At Summer Solstice, the sun reaches 90° of ecliptic longitude and shines directly near the Tropic of Cancer. After this point, the subsolar point moves southward and solar illumination begins to decline.
Climate and Agriculture: Jiangnan's plum rains bring much precipitation, requiring flood and waterlogging prevention; North China and the eastern portion of the Northwest see rising high-temperature days—watch for rapid shifts between drought and waterlogging and severe convection. Field management should focus on disaster prevention and reduction, balanced management of water, fertilizer, pests, and disease.
