Regarding the customs and taboos of the beginning of summer, here are some traditional notes:
1. Do not sit on the threshold: There is a saying that it is taboo to sit on the threshold in the summer, especially in Anhui and other places, according to the "Taihu County Chronicle", sitting on the threshold in summer may lead to tiredness and sickness in summer. If your child accidentally sits on the threshold, he or she will need to sit on all seven thresholds to lift the taboo.
2. Aversion to snakes: The Qing Dynasty's "Yunnan Tongzhi" records that on the day of the beginning of summer, honey locust branches and safflowers are inserted in the portal to disgust (drive away evil spirits), and the foot of the gray wall is surrounded to prevent snakes. This is related to the ancient concept of the five elements, black (honey locust) is water, red (flower) is fire, hoping to achieve a balance, and at the same time honey locust has the effect of removing filth and driving away evil spirits.
3. Avoid no rain: In some areas, such as Guizhou, Yunnan, Henan and other places, if there is no rain in the beginning of summer, it is considered a sign of drought.
4. Weighing customs: There is a tradition of weighing people on the day of the beginning of summer, using traditional rod scales to weigh themselves, thinking that this can ensure good health in summer and avoid emaciation due to heat. The scale people also pray for health and auspiciousness.
5. Eating Lixia eggs: Eating eggs in Lixia is one of the customs, symbolizing perfection and vitality, helping to eliminate disasters and pray for blessings, enhance physical fitness, and prevent summer susceptibility (a frailty disease that is susceptible to summer diseases). In some places, there is also the custom of egg fighting, which adds to the fun of the festival.
6. Eat Lixia rice: Lixia rice is a traditional food, usually containing five colors and ingredients, symbolizing the balance of the five internal organs and preventing summer diseases.
8. Try the new: Lixia is also the time to taste the new, people will eat fresh fruits and vegetables in the season, such as cherries, green plums, wheat, peas, bamboo shoots, etc., implying a new atmosphere in the new year, and at the same time replenish nutrition, clear heat and detoxify.
9. Ancestor worship: In ancient times, people expressed their respect and prayed for family safety by sacrificing their ancestors during the beginning of summer.
These customs and taboos embody reverence for the natural world and prayers for health and a good harvest, and although many traditional customs in modern society may no longer be strictly observed, they still carry a wealth of cultural significance and historical value.