On June 21-22 each year, when the sun is at 90 ° of the ecliptic meridian, it is the summer solstice solar term. The summer solstice is the tenth solar term among the twenty-four solar terms and is also the earliest solar term to be determined.
In the 7th century BC, our ancestors measured the shadow of the sun using a compass. According to the "Compliance with the Constitution": "When the sun reaches north, the sun reaches its maximum length, and the shadow is short, it is called the summer solstice. When the sun reaches its maximum length, it is extremely short
On the day of summer solstice, the length of the day and the length of the shadow have reached their limits throughout the year, hence it is called 'summer solstice'.
Summer Solstice Festival, with many customs
In ancient times, the summer solstice was revered as the "Summer Festival" or "Summer Solstice Festival". In addition to peach, plum, melon, lotus root, and cold noodles, there are also hanging noodles on the dining table. Eating noodles brings longevity, and the long noodles may also imply a long daytime during the summer solstice.
Worship ancestors
Summer retreat and shelter
The book "Yuyang Zazhu: Li Yi" records: "On the summer solstice, when entering the fan and the powder and fat bag, there are words." "Fan" is used to generate wind; Apply "fat powder" to disperse the turbid air generated by heat and prevent the growth of prickly heat. After the "Summer Solstice", the royal family had "winter storage and summer use" ice to "dispel summer heat and avoid summer heat", and it was used in various dynasties since the Zhou Dynasty.
Eating noodles during the summer solstice
Since ancient times, there has been a saying in Chinese folk culture that goes' Winter Solstice Dumplings and Summer Solstice Noodles'. Eating noodles during the summer solstice is an important custom in many regions. The summer solstice noodles are also called Zhufu noodles. Yangchun noodles and Sanxian noodles are commonly seen in the south, while the northern noodles are mainly made of bittern noodles and Zhajiangmian. Coinciding with the arrival of new wheat during the summer solstice, eating noodles during this time also has the intention of trying something new.
Nurture the summer solstice and improve physical fitness
Eating ginger in summer
As the saying goes, 'If the rice doesn't taste good, eat ginger' and 'eat radish in winter and ginger in summer', they are all insightful summaries of the nutritional value and medical effects of ginger. Summer heat can cause loss of appetite for most people, but ginger is beneficial for digestion and absorption of food, and has certain benefits for preventing heatstroke and passing the summer.
Sleep well and take a nap at noon
In order to adapt to the changes in the rise and fall of yin and yang in nature, it is generally advisable to stay up late and wake up early, take a nap to make up for the lack of sleep at night, and take a warm bath every day.
The most important health lesson during the summer solstice is to take a nap at noon: enter the optimal sleep state before midnight (23:00 to 1:00) at night, and take a nap from 11:00 to 13:00 during the day. The principle of taking a nap at noon is to take a big nap at noon and a short nap at noon.
Moxibustion enhances yang qi
People who are prone to catching a cold can apply moxibustion to Zusanli acupoint, Yinlingquan acupoint, Zhongwan acupoint, Shenque acupoint, etc. during the peak of natural yang energy in summer to nourish the body.
Ai Ye has a warm nature and belongs to pure yang. Moxibustion can warm up the meridians, eliminate cold and dampness, and nourish the body's yang energy. Summer happens to be the time when the natural yang energy is at its strongest, and the combination of the two yang and heat has a stronger warming effect.
Avoiding dampness and evil
High temperature is the main factor causing heatstroke, but under certain conditions, the humidity in the air is also related to heatstroke. Therefore, in summer, not only should one pay attention to avoiding heat, but also to avoiding humidity.
It is recommended to consume foods such as carp, adzuki beans, yellow flowers, lettuce, Job's tears, beans, winter melon, etc. that are beneficial for water infiltration.