As the fifth chapter of summer, Xiaoxiao, a shining pearl embedded in the traditional Chinese 24 solar terms, quietly descends between July 6 and 8 of the Gregorian calendar every year, when the sun accurately crosses the threshold of 105° ecliptic longitude, the prelude to Xiaoxia slowly opens. Its name implies that the heat is beginning to appear but not at its peak, just like the gentle prelude in the summer movement, indicating that the heat of the summer is about to roar.
1. Exploring the source of the summer?
The origin of Xiaoxia can be traced back to the profound insight and delicate records of the ancient Chinese sons and daughters on the vast starry sky and subtle climate change. With extraordinary wisdom, the ancients divided the annual movement of the sun into 24 exquisite solar terms, and Xiaoxia is a shining link on the wheel of time, which not only marks the precise scale of the change of seasons in nature, but also reflects the deep understanding and compliance of agricultural civilization to the cycle of time.
Under the gentle brushstrokes of "The Seventy-two Candidate Explanations of the Lunar Order", Xiao Xia was given a vivid footnote: "Juneteenth Day...... Summer, heat also, in the heat is divided into size, the beginning of the month is small, the middle of the month is large, and now the heat is still small. This statement speaks of the unique climatic characteristics of Xiaoxiao, that is, the heat wave is beginning to surge, but not at its peak, which is a gentle transition from warm to hot in summer.
Second, the meaning of Xiaoxia is profound?
1. The subtle brushstrokes of climate change: In the summer heat, the heaven and the earth seem to be gently embraced by an invisible heat wave, the temperature is quietly rising, and everything is bathed in the increasingly hot sun. The plum rain in the Jianghuai River basin gradually reaped, and then ushered in a dry and hot summer; North China and Northeast China have entered the rainy season, moistening the earth and growing all things.
2. The golden period of agricultural activities: At this time, the farmland is full of greenery, crops are growing vigorously, and sufficient sunlight and suitable temperature become the best companions for them to thrive. Farmers take advantage of this good time to work hard in the fields, carefully caring for every hope and harvest.
3. The splendid bloom of folk culture: Xiaoxia not only carries the changes of nature, but also gives birth to a variety of folk activities. The Heavenly Festival, the sacrifice of grains, the drying of calligraphy and painting...... These customs are not only a celebration of nature's gifts, but also a vivid demonstration of the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.
4. Delicate depiction of phenological phenomena: the ancients used the "three waits" to capture the subtle changes in the summer season: the warm breeze blows on the face, without a trace of coolness; Crickets take refuge from the heat on the wall, looking for coolness; The eagle soars through the sky and fights in the sky. These vivid phenological phenomena together outline a picture of summer style.
5. The crystallization of wisdom of diet and health preservation: In the face of the scorching summer, the ancients skillfully adjusted their eating habits according to the characteristics of solar terms, in order to clear away heat and relieve heat and maintain health care. Dumplings, noodles and eggs...... These traditional delicacies not only satisfy the taste buds, but also contain profound health regimens. In addition, watermelon, cucumber and other melons and fruits have become indispensable cool products in summer.
In short, Xiaoxiao is not only a simple name of solar terms, but also a vivid example of the intermingling and co-evolution of nature and human culture. In this season full of vitality, let us experience the gifts of nature with a more acute perception and embrace the beauty of life with a more positive attitude.