中国范儿131 立夏：蛙鸣蝉叫初夏来

立夏：蛙鸣蝉叫初夏来

Beginning of Summer: Frogs and cicadas call for an early summer

中国的二十四节气，最初是以北斗斗柄指向确定。当北斗斗柄指向东南，为立夏。这是夏天的第一个节气，二十四节气中的第七个。

China's 24 solar terms were initially determined by the direction of the Big Dipper handle. When the handle of the Big Dipper points to the southeast, it is the Beginning of Summer. This is the first solar term in summer, the seventh of the 24 solar terms.

立夏时节，万物繁茂。蝼蝈的鸣叫唤醒了初夏的宁静，蚯蚓开始活动，田间的瓜与野菜也在旺盛的生长着。由于中国地域广阔、南北跨度大，各地自然节律不一，中国只有福州到南岭一线以南地区是真正的夏季；而东北和西北的部分地区这时则刚刚进入春季。无论大江南北，此时都是农作物旺盛生长的最好时节，麦田间、稻田中、茶园里……人们正红红火火的忙碌着。

In the Beginning of Summer, everything flourishes and life rejuvenates. The chirp of the mole beetle breaks the tranquility of early summer. The earthworm stirs to life and melons and wild vegetables in the field start growing vigorously. Because of China's vast territory, north-south span and different natural rhythms, only the south to Fuzhou to Nanling line experiences real summer in China, while parts of the northeast and northwest enter spring. Whether it’s on the north or south of the river, it's the best time for crops to grow. In the wheat fields, rice fields and tea gardens, people are busy working.

中国古代很重视立夏节气。据记载，立夏当天，古时的帝王要率文武百官到郊外“迎夏”，表达对丰收的祈求和美好的愿望。

Ancient China attached great importance to the solar term of Beginning of Summer. According to historical records, on the day of Beginning of Summer, the ancient emperor led all officials of civil and military affairs to the outskirts to "welcome summer" and express his wish for a good harvest.

这一天，也是“启冰”的日子。将去年冬天贮藏在冰窖中的冰块取出，由皇帝赏赐给百官。在民间，街坊之中也有“凉水”售卖，或辅以杨梅、桃子、花红之类，俗称“冰桃子”、“冰杨梅”，想来也别有一番滋味。

This day was also the day of "Qibing". The ice stored in the ice cellar last winter was taken out and the emperor would reward the officials. According to folklore, "cold water" was sold in the neighborhood, infused with arbutus, peaches, red flowers and so on, commonly known as "ice peaches" and "ice arbutus” — a distinctive delicacy.

立夏传统风俗众多，有些保留至今。中国南方一些地区的人们会用赤豆、黄豆、黑豆、青豆、绿豆等五色豆拌合白粳米煮成“五色饭”，俗称“立夏饭”；闽南地区吃虾面，即购买海虾掺入面条中煮食，海虾熟后变红，为吉祥之色，而虾与夏谐音，以此为对夏天的祝愿；要说有趣的，当属“斗蛋”游戏，这天，家家户户煮好鸡蛋，套上丝网袋，挂在孩子脖子上，有的还在蛋上绘画图案，小孩子三五成群，相互用力比试，称为斗蛋。

There are many traditional customs of Beginning of Summer, some of which have been preserved up to now. People in some areas of southern China use red beans, soybeans, black beans, green soy beans, mung beans to mix rice to cook "five-colored rice", commonly known as "Beginning of Summer rice”. In Southern Fujian, eating shrimp noodles is popular. People buy sea shrimps and mix them into noodles to cook, the sea shrimps turn red when they are cooked, which is an auspicious color in Chinese tradition. The words shrimp and summer share similar pronunciation in Chinese, so shrimp noodles heralds the beginning of summer. Apart from cooking, people also play games. Families indulge in “Fighting Eggs Play” in which they cook eggs, put them in a silk net bag and hang the eggs on children’s neck, and some paint patterns on the eggs. Then children in groups of three or five play with each other and the game is called Fighting Eggs.

二十四节气，作为中国古老而科学的“时间制度”，在漫长的农耕时代，不仅仅充当着农业生产的指南针，更是千百年间百姓热气腾腾的民俗生活。

Twenty-four solar terms, as an ancient and scientific "time system" in China, not only serve as a compass for agricultural production, but also as an integral part of folk life for thousands of years.

来源：中国网

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