In Chinese lunar calendar, there are 24 solar terms (节气) in a year. Start of Summer means the coming of a new season—summer. And it begins on May 5th this year. The temperature rises quickly during this time. Here are three things about how Chinese greet the Start of Summer.
Checking one's weight
The habit of weighing people at the Start of Summer is still popular in some places of China today. It's said that this practice will bring health and good luck to the people weighed.
Eating eggs
In the old days, Chinese people believed a round egg was a symbol of a happy life and eating eggs on the day of Start of Summer was a good wish for good health. People put tea into the boiling water together with eggs to make "tea eggs". Today it has become a local snack in many places of China.
Taking care of the heart
According to the Chinese traditional medicine, Start of Summer is a key time to protect the heart. When it grows hot, heat can affect health. So people prefer food such as fruit and vegetables.
