The Summer Solstice is one of the 24 solar terms. After this term, yin energy begins to arise, and yang energy starts to decline. Regarding the taboos of the Summer Solstice, everyone must pay attention! For more information on the solar terms, please visit Huayi Network.

When is the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice is one of the 24 solar terms, and it is the day with the longest daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. It should be noted that after the Summer Solstice, yin energy begins to arise, and yang energy starts to decline. The Summer Solstice falls on June 21st or 22nd every year. On this day, the sun's position directly above the ground reaches the northernmost point, almost directly over the Tropic of Cancer, and the daylight in the Northern Hemisphere reaches its maximum length, and the further north you go, the longer the daylight becomes.

What are the taboos during this solar term?

First, avoid taking cold baths
Taking a cold bath is a favorite way for many people to cool off, but during summer, when the weather is hot, the pores of the body are open. If you take a cold bath, cold energy can easily enter the body, leading to a loss of yang energy. Regularly taking cold baths may cause symptoms such as cold hands and feet, cramps in the calves, and blurred vision, which is very harmful to health.
Second, avoid eating raw and cold foods at night
Summer nights are short, and it is important not to eat raw and cold or sticky foods at night, otherwise it may lead to symptoms such as bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, there are many precautions about drinking tea in summer. It is advisable to drink two to three cups after meals, and if you feel hungry, stop drinking immediately; do not drink tea on an empty stomach.

What are the customs and traditions on this day?

1. Worshiping gods and ancestors
The Summer Solstice is a time of harvest, and since ancient times, there have been customs of celebrating the harvest and worshipping ancestors to pray for good harvests and disaster prevention. On the Summer Solstice, some places hold grand "Over the Summer Wheat" events, which are remnants of ancient "Summer Sacrifice" activities.
2. Eating "Wheat Zongzi" and "Summer Solstice Cakes"
On the Summer Solstice, there is a custom in southern regions of eating "Wheat Zongzi" and "Summer Solstice Cakes." According to the "Wujiang County Annals": "On the day of the Summer Solstice, they make wheat zongzi, and after offering to their ancestors, they share them among each other." Not only do they eat "wheat zongzi," but they also use "wheat zongzi" as a gift, exchanging them with each other. On the Summer Solstice, farmers also make thin pancakes, bake them, and fill them with green vegetables, bean pods, tofu, and cured meats, then eat them after offering to ancestors, which is called "Summer Solstice Cakes," or they are given to relatives and friends.