Summer Solstice

夏至 · XiàzhìGregorian Jun 21–22Solar longitude 90°

The longest day, the shortest shadow. Yang reaches its zenith as the first yin quietly stirs; cicadas sing and lotus blooms scent the ponds.

Green bamboo still dusted with powder;

round lotus leaves begin to spread their scent.

— Wei Yingwu (Tang), “Escaping Heat at the North Pond on the Solstice”

绿筠尚含粉
圆荷始散芳
韦应物 · 夏至避暑北池

Vermilion

Three Pentads

三候

The ancients divided each solar term into three pentads of five days, recording nature's subtle changes.

一候鹿角解

First pentad — Deer shed their antlers

二候蜩始鸣

Second pentad — Cicadas begin to sing

III

三候半夏生

Third pentad — Pinellia, the midsummer herb, sprouts

节气色谱

One leading color with three companions, all drawn from the traditional Chinese color canon.

朱红#C3272B

zhūhóng · Vermilion

石榴红#D55145

shíliúhóng · Pomegranate Red

荷叶绿#5E8C61

héyèlǜ · Lotus-Leaf Green

曦黄#EBC25E

xīhuáng · Dawn Gold

风物

Eating solstice noodles made from the new wheat harvest.

吃夏至面——「冬至饺子夏至面」,新麦入面尝新味。

Offering rites to the Earth, mirror to the winter solstice rites to Heaven.

祭地——夏至祭地祇,与冬至祭天相对,感谢大地生养。