Li-xia (noun) 立夏 (Chinese): Beginning of summer (7th solar term), literally in Chinese “Li” we立 = stand, “xia” 夏 = summer.
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In ancient Chinese calendar also known as “agriculture calendar”, Li-xia is the 7th term out of 24 solar terms (节气) in a year. Li-xia also signifies the beginning of summer in East Asian cultures. Li-xia begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 45° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 60°. Li-xia more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 45°. In the Gregorian calendar, Li-xia usually begins around May 5 and ends around May 21.
Li-xia was established in the last years of the Warring States (239 BC) in ancient China. Li-xia indicates the transition of the season from Spring to Summer. Li-xia is at the beginning of the summer period of the year. Li-xia was also divided into 3 periods of 5 days each; At the first period, Mole Crickets 蝼蝈 (Lou-guo) start to chirp, during the second period earthworms 蚯蚓 (Chou-yin) are out of soil. When in the third period, the King Snakegourd 王瓜 (wang-gua) vines begin to climb quickly.
Natural flowers, trees, birds and animals all live and move according to a certain season. Their activities are closely related to climate change. Since the ancient China, there are 24 “flower breeze letters” 番花信风 out of 24 Jie-qi 节气 and each Jie-qi has 3 “periods”. Each “period” 候 in a Jie-qi 节气 is associated with 3 “flower breeze letters”. There are 3 “periods” in every Jie-qi 节气 and only 8 Jie-qi 节气 have “flower breeze letters” 番花信风. Therefore 3×8 = 24, total 24 “flower breeze letters” in a year from Xiao-Han 小寒 to Gu-yu 谷雨 (winter to spring). Li-xia is the beginning of summer, but some flowers from Gu-yu still bloom during Li-xia festival. While some other flowers will continue to grow for the rest of 16 Jie-qi 节气 in a year.
Since ancient times, Li-xia has been a solar term for agricultural purposes in the lunar calendar. Li-xia is still remembered and celebrated as a Chinese traditional festival.
