Today is Li Xia (Beginning of Summer)—one of the Chinese 24 Solar Terms

Today is Li Xia (Beginning of Summer)—one of the Chinese 24 Solar Terms
May 5, 2007 22:10
CAOJUAN157 Points: Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Status: offline	Today is March 20th in Chinese lunar month. In the Chinese 24 Solar Terms, today is called Li4 Xia4 (Beginning of Summer), signifying the start of the summer season. In ancient Chinese culture, people usually ate a five-colored meal on this day, especially in the countryside. The five-colored meal contains red beans, soybeans, black beans, string beans and mung beans. Later, people ate sticky rice mixed with peas and with three-colored amaranth as the dish. Besides, 'Li Xia Egg', boiled egg in tea must be eaten on this day in order to nourish people's pneuma. There was a special custom after the lunch—people would weigh themselves on a big scale, believing that doing this would bring them good luck.

May 5, 2007 22:10

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Join Date: Mar 13, 2007
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Today is March 20th in Chinese lunar month. In the Chinese 24 Solar Terms, today is called Li4 Xia4 (Beginning of Summer), signifying the start of the summer season.
In ancient Chinese culture, people usually ate a five-colored meal on this day, especially in the countryside. The five-colored meal contains red beans, soybeans, black beans, string beans and mung beans. Later, people ate sticky rice mixed with peas and with three-colored amaranth as the dish.
Besides, 'Li Xia Egg', boiled egg in tea must be eaten on this day in order to nourish people's pneuma. There was a special custom after the lunch—people would weigh themselves on a big scale, believing that doing this would bring them good luck.

May 8, 2007 01:45	#1
JIMMYB Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	Is there any special custom in your home for this day??

May 8, 2007 02:28	#2
CAOJUAN157 Points: Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Status: Offline	All these belong to the ancient Chinese customs. Seldom have I seen any modern Chinese celebrate Li Xia. Now it's just a time mark signifying summer's coming. Actually, this day is my grandfather's birthday. So in my home the special custom is gathering together and eating a birthday cake :D

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