立夏

斗指东南，万物皆柔。
迎夏祭祀，赤帝祝融。
尝新粮食，品滋味香。
送瘟疾病，祈平安康。
自然节气，文化传承。
农事忙碌，祈五谷丰。
（礼记-月龄）
立夏，是二十四节气中的第七
个节气，意味着阳气生发、阴
气渐弱，一年中的夏天正式开
始。古代礼记月令中对应立夏
的典故记录着中国古代人民对
于节气变化的敏锐感知和相应
的祭祀、庆祝仪式。在斗指东
南的时节，大地生机勃勃，一
切万物都呈现出生机勃勃的柔
和之美。

在古代中国，立夏是一个重要
的时节，人们会举行迎夏祭祀
的仪式，以纪念赤帝祝融。他
是中国古代神话传说中的火神，
象征着太阳和火焰的力量。人
们通过祭祀祝融，希望能够获
得火的祝福，保佑农作物茁壮
成长，大地风调雨顺。这个祭
祀仪式承载了古人对自然力量
的敬畏和感恩之情，也体现了
他们对丰收和幸福生活的期盼。

立夏这一节气，也标志着新一
轮农作物播种季节的到来。人
们在这个时候开始尝试新种的
粮食，品味着滋味香甜的谷物。
这不仅是对丰收的期待，也是
对新生命的庆祝。品尝新粮不
仅仅是一种口感的满足，更是
对自然恩赐的感恩之情。人们
通过粮食的生长和收获，感受
着大自然的馈赠和恩泽，体会
生活中源源不断的美好。

古人们相信，在立夏这一天，
瘟疫和疾病会随着炎热而消散。
因此，他们会举行祈平安康的
仪式，祈祷家人平安健康，消
除疾病的威胁。这种信仰来自
对自然规律的认知和对人类健
康的重视，反映了古人对生命
的珍惜和对未来的希望。通过
祭祀和祈福，他们希望得到神
灵的庇佑，生活幸福安康。

立夏这一节气，不仅仅是自然
界变化的标志，也承载了丰富
的文化内涵和历史记忆。古代
人们通过祭祀和庆祝仪式传承
了对自然的敬畏和对生命的尊
重，这种文化传统一直延续至
今。近年来，随着社会的发展
和文化的传承，越来越多的人
开始重新认识和重视节气文化，
传承古人的智慧和信仰。

随着立夏的到来，农事也进入
了一个忙碌的时节。人们开始
忙着耕种、种植、施肥，为即
将到来的丰收做准备。农民们
细心呵护着大地的每一寸土地，
期待五谷丰登，收获满满。他
们顺应自然的规律，辛勤劳作，
等待着金黄稻谷和香甜果实的
到来。在这个时节，人们的心
情也是澎湃的，满怀对未来的
憧憬和对生活的热爱。

立夏，象征着一种新的开始和
美好的希望。在这个特殊的时
刻，让我们怀着感恩的心情，
感受大自然的神奇和美好，传
承节气文化的精髓，共同期盼
着五谷丰登，幸福安康的未来。
斗指东南，万物皆柔，让我们
一起迎接夏天的到来，共同期
待生命的盛放和收获的喜悦。
The beginning of summer, or
Lixia, is the seventh of the 24
solar terms, marking the official
start of summer as yang energy
grows and yin energy wanes.
The corresponding anecdote in
the Monthly Ordinances of the
Book of Rites, an ancient
Chinese text, records the keen
perception of the ancient
Chinese people regarding
seasonal changes and the
corresponding sacrificial and
celebratory rituals. When the
Dipper points to the southeast,
the earth teems with life, and
all things take on the gentle
beauty of burgeoning growth.

In ancient China, the beginning

of summer was an important
time, and people would hold a
ritual to welcome the summer
to commemorate the Red
Emperor Lord Fires, who was
the god of fire in ancient
Chinese mythology and
symbolized the power of the
sun and flames. Through the
sacrificial rite to Lord Fires,
people hoped to receive the
blessing of fire, which would
ensure the healthy growth of
crops and favourable weather
conditions. This sacrificial rite
bore the weight of the ancients'
awe and gratitude for the
forces of nature and also
embodied their hopes for a
bountiful harvest and a happy
life.

This solar term also marked the

start of the new round of crop
planting. People began to try
out newly-sown grains at this
time, savouring the sweet
flavours of cereals. This not
only represented the
anticipation of a good harvest
but also the celebration of new
life. Tasting new grains satisfied
more than just one's palate; it
was also an expression of
gratitude for nature's bounty.
Through the growth and
harvest of grains, people
experienced the gifts and
blessings of nature and the
endless beauty of life.

The ancients believed that on

the day of the beginning of
summer, the plague and
diseases would dissipate with
the heat. Therefore, they would
hold a ritual to pray for peace
and well-being, beseeching the
safety and health of their
families and the elimination of
the threat of disease. This
belief stemmed from their
understanding of the laws of
nature and their regard for
human health, reflecting the
ancients' cherishment of life
and their hopes for the future.
Through sacrificial rites and
prayers, they hoped to receive
the protection of the gods and
live happy and healthy lives.
This solar term of the beginning
of summer was not just a sign
of change in the natural world
but also carried rich cultural
connotations and historical
memories. Through sacrificial
rites and celebratory rituals,
the ancients passed down their
awe of nature and their respect
for life, and this cultural
tradition has been passed down
to this day. In recent years,
with social development and
cultural inheritance, more and
more people have begun to re-
understand and attach
importance to the culture of
the solar terms, inheriting the
wisdom and beliefs of the
ancients.

With the arrival of the

beginning of summer, farming
also entered a busy period.
People were busy ploughing,
planting, and fertilizing,
preparing for the upcoming
harvest. Farmers meticulously
cared for every inch of the land,
hoping for an abundant harvest
of the five grains. They obeyed
the laws of nature, worked
hard, and awaited the arrival of
golden rice and sweet fruits. At
this time, people's moods were
also high, filled with
anticipation for the future and
a love of life.

The beginning of summer

symbolizes a new beginning
and beautiful hope. At this
special moment, let us be filled
with gratitude, experience the
wonder and beauty of nature,
inherit the essence of the
culture of the solar terms, and
look forward to an abundant
harvest and a happy and
healthy future together. When
the Dipper points to the
southeast and all things
become supple and soft, let us
welcome the arrival of summer
together and look forward to
the flourishing of life and the
joy of harvest.