Beginning of Summer
Summer arrives; all things grow tall. Frogs croak, earthworms surface, shade thickens and cherries ripen red.
Green trees, deep shade — the summer days grow long;
pavilion towers mirror in the pond.
— Gao Pian (Tang), “Summer Day at a Mountain Pavilion”
绿树阴浓夏日长
楼台倒影入池塘
高骈 · 山亭夏日
楼台倒影入池塘
高骈 · 山亭夏日
Bamboo Green
Three Pentads
三候The ancients divided each solar term into three pentads of five days, recording nature's subtle changes.
I
一候 蝼蝈鸣
First pentad — Mole crickets and frogs call
II
二候 蚯蚓出
Second pentad — Earthworms emerge
III
三候 王瓜生
Third pentad — Snake gourds climb and grow
Seasonal Palette
节气色谱One leading color with three companions, all drawn from the traditional Chinese color canon.
竹青#789262
zhúqīng · Bamboo Green
樱桃红#C04851
yīngtáohóng · Cherry Red
鞠衣黄#E3BD5B
jūyīhuáng · Robe Yellow
湖水蓝#B0D5DF
húshuǐlán · Lake Blue
Customs
风物Weighing people on a hanging scale, wishing good health through the hot months.
立夏称人——悬秤称体重,祈愿一夏安康不疰夏。
Egg-knocking games among children — the unbroken shell wins.
斗蛋——孩童以煮蛋相碰为戏,蛋壳坚者为胜。