The Summer Solstice, or “Xiazhi” in Chinese, is the 10th solar term in the 24 solar term calendars. It is the earliest solar term to be established, occurring when the Sun’s longitude reaches 90 degrees, usually falling on June 21st or 22nd. On the day of the Summer Solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, almost directly over the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The weather during this time is characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and occasional thunderstorms.
The Summer Solstice is not only one of the twenty-four solar terms but also a traditional festival in the “Four Seasons and Eight Festivals” celebrated by the Chinese people. Since ancient times, there have been customs of worshipping gods and ancestors during the Summer Solstice. Before the Qing Dynasty (1644- 1912), the entire country would have a one-day holiday on the Summer Solstice, allowing people to gather with their families, enjoy drinks, and escape the summer heat. This custom was known as “Xiexia,” meaning “taking a break from summer.” During the Song Dynasty(960 – 1279), government officials would even have a three-day break during the Summer Solstice.
On the day of the Summer Solstice, women would exchange gifts such as folding fans and cosmetics. The colourful fans were used to ward off the heat, while scented sachets served as mosquito repellents and odour inhibitors. Eating noodles on the Summer Solstice is an important custom in many regions of China. Some places even have the saying “Dumplings on the Winter Solstice and noodles on the Summer Solstice.” This is because the Summer Solstice marks the arrival of new wheat, and eating noodles symbolizes welcoming the new harvest. Additionally, after the Summer Solstice, people commonly consume refreshing foods and beverages such as cooling herbal soups, iced tea, and sour plum soup to beat the summer heat.
//DANISH
Sommersolhverv, eller “Xiazhi” på kinesisk, udgør den 10. solperiode blandt de 24 kinesiske solperioder. Det er den ældste etablerede solperiode og finder normalt sted, når Solens længdegrad når 90 grader, og falder typisk den 21. eller 22. juni. På selve dagen for sommersolhverv når Solen sin nordligste position, næsten direkte over Krebsens vendekreds. Dette resulterer i årets længste dagslysperiode på den nordlige halvkugle. Vejret på dette tidspunkt præges af høje temperaturer, fugtighed og lejlighedsvise tordenbyger.
Sommersolhverv er ikke blot en af de 24 solperioder, men også en traditionel festival i “Fire Årstider og Otte Festiviteter,” som kineserne fejrer. Gennem tiderne i Kina har der eksisteret skikke med at tilbede guder og forfædre under sommersolhverv. Før Qing-dynastiet (1644-1912) blev der holdt en fridag i hele landet på sommersolhverv, hvor folk kunne samles med deres familier, nyde drikkevarer og undslippe sommervarmen. Denne skik blev kendt som “Xiexia,” hvilket betyder “at holde sommerpause.” Under Song-dynastiet (960-1279) fik embedsmænd endda en tredages ferie under sommersolhverv.
På dagen for sommersolhverv udvekslede kvinder traditionelt gaver såsom foldende vifter og kosmetik. De farverige vifter blev brugt til at beskytte mod varmen, mens duftende poser fungerede som myggebekæmpelse og lugtforfriskere. Det er også en vigtig skik i mange regioner i Kina at spise nudler på sommersolhverv. Nogle steder siger man endda, at “man spiser dumplings på vintersolhverv og nudler på sommersolhverv”. Dette skyldes, at sommersolhverv markerer ankomsten af ny hvede, og at spise nudler symboliserer velkomsten af den nye høst. Derudover nyder folk typisk forfriskende mad og drikke efter sommersolhverv for at bekæmpe sommervarmen. Dette inkluderer kølende urtesupper, iste og sur blommejuice.
