The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou is a comprehensive cultural venue built to commemorate Tang Xianzu, one of the world’s hundred great cultural figures and a master of Ming‑dynasty drama in China. It is also one of Jiangxi Province’s ten major memorial halls dedicated to historical luminaries.
The Twenty-Four Solar Terms at the Soup House | Start of Summer
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2023-05-06
Beginning of Summer
It is the seventh of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.
As the season of Lixia arrives, all things flourish.
After the Start of Summer
Daylight hours are increasing, temperatures are gradually rising, and thunderstorms are becoming more frequent.
Crops have entered the vigorous growth stage.
For the human body,
This is a period of vigorous metabolism.
The body’s yang energy radiates outward, while yin remains concealed within.
The circulation of qi and blood likewise becomes vigorous.
and is active on the body surface
At this time, one should follow the natural trend of yang flourishing and yin becoming deficient.
Emphasize “rest and recuperation”
The ancient text “Yueling Qishi Hou Jijie” states: “Li means ‘to establish the beginning’; ‘xia, or summer, is a time of abundance—when all things have grown to their fullest extent.’ Here, the character “jia” conveys the meaning of “greatness,” signifying that as spring recedes and summer arrives, all living things have reached full maturity at this point, hence the name “Beginning of Summer.”
The Three Hou of the Start of Summer
The first period: the mole cricket chirps.
The mole cricket is a relative of the cricket, also known as the “lala’gu” or “tudouzai,” and is an insect that loves to roam in the fields. As the weather grows hotter, the mole crickets in the fields begin to chirp, growing increasingly noisy.
The second hou: earthworms emerge.
Earthworms prefer to live in dark, moist, and loose soil, breathing through their skin. After a rain, as water seeps into the soil and the air becomes thin, the worms find it hard to breathe and emerge en masse in search of oxygen. “Wow, the air out here is so fresh!”
The third hou: the Wanggua grows.
During the Qingming season, frequent rains often give rise to rainbows. In the vibrant spring, after the cleansing rains and with lush green foliage covering bare soil and absorbing airborne dust, a beautiful rainbow can finally appear in the post‑rain sky.
The Legend of Lixia
Black rice
With the arrival of Li Xia, some regions observe the custom of eating black rice. As for the origins of this dish, numerous local legends abound. The most widely circulated tale recounts the story of Sun Bin from the Warring States period.
Customs of the Start of Summer
Eat eggs, fight over eggs.
“Eat an egg on the day of Lixia, and you’ll stay healthy through the summer heat.” On the day of Lixia, many places observe the custom of eating eggs—whether chicken, duck, or goose eggs. For children in particular, a hard-boiled egg is often hung from their chest on this day, symbolizing good health throughout the summer and protection from illness. At the same time, kids engage in an egg‑fighting game: they tap their eggs against one another, and the first to crack loses; the one whose egg remains intact wins.
Weighing people at the start of summer
After lunch on the day of Lixia, there is a traditional custom of weighing oneself. People hang a large wooden scale at the village entrance or inside the gatehouse, with a stool suspended from the scale’s hook; everyone takes turns sitting on the stool to have their weight measured. It is said that if you weigh yourself on this day, you will not fear the summer heat and will avoid becoming thin.
Eat Li Xia noodles
At the onset of Li Xia, wheat is just coming into season, and old‑Beijing tradition holds that eating noodles celebrates a bountiful wheat harvest. Legend has it that this custom dates back to the Jin Dynasty, when noodles were enjoyed to mark the joyous tasting of the new crop after the northern wheat harvest—and to pray for favorable weather and a rich yield in the year to come. As the saying goes: “With the arrival of summer, fresh noodles are fit for heaven.” The idea is that eating noodles at Li Xia strengthens the body and brings good fortune.
Eat summer cakes
Summer pancakes are also a beloved local delicacy traditionally enjoyed in Beijing on the day of Lixia. As the name suggests, they are eaten during the summer months. In the past, around the time of Lixia, both urban and rural communities in Changle observed the custom of making and savoring wheat-based dishes, a practice meant to celebrate a bountiful wheat harvest. These pancakes are crafted by rolling out kneaded dough into thin sheets, stuffing them with shredded meat, chives, and other fillings, then pan-frying them until golden and crisp. Families would gather together, relish these savory pancakes, and share stories of the year’s abundant harvest, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
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