Beginning of Summer
May 5–7 · 火 · Fire
Typically falls on May 5–7. Summer's official start and the transition from spring's gentle growth to more intense energy.
Lìxià marks summer's official start and the transition from spring's gentle growth to more intense energy. Ancient Chinese believed that during this time, the heart's energy becomes dominant. The custom of weighing children on this day symbolized hoping they'd grow healthy and strong through the warm months.
Eggs — believed to strengthen the body for summer. Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) tea for cooling. Light, cooling foods are recommended as temperatures rise.
Story: On Lìxià, parents would weigh their children on scales, hoping they'd grow healthy and strong through summer. If a child had lost weight, families would feed them special nutritious foods throughout the season to help them recover.
Beginning of summer is the perfect time to transition from heavy winter foods to lighter meals. Try starting your mornings with warm water or ginger tea to stoke your digestive fire before the heat arrives. This practice supports your metabolism as the season shifts.
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