The arrival of the fifth lunar month signals that temperatures will reach their peak of the year. This month is during the height of summer, when grass and trees flourish, and shade becomes dense, with the weather becoming increasingly humid and hot. Let's take a look at other names for the fifth lunar month and how these names originated. Follow Huayi Network to learn more about the fifth lunar month.

Other Names for the Fifth Lunar Month

1.Mingtiao
According to the "Book of Songs", it says "Mingtiao in May", where "mingtiao" refers to cicadas. This means that in May, cicadas emerge from the ground and climb onto trees, starting the first clear sound of summer. Therefore, May is also called "Mingtiao".
2.Wuyue
Ancient Chinese people also matched the twelve Earthly Branches with the twelve months, so the fifth month is also called "Wuyue".
3.Duanyang and Duanyue
May 5th is known as "Chongwu", since ancient people often referred to "wu time" as "yang chen", thus it is also called "Duanyang".
4.E Yue
In ancient times, customs varied across different regions of China. In some northern areas, the fifth lunar month was considered a "poisonous month". Due to the great changes in nature and ecology after summer, people had many fears in their minds, leading to various taboos such as "covering the body, not being restless, and avoiding lust". In fact, this was due to the hot summer weather, which made people prone to illness and the spread of epidemics, as well as the proliferation of snakes and insects, which could bite people. Therefore, people needed to be very careful, which gradually led to customs such as "avoiding the five poisons" and "hiding during the Dragon Boat Festival".
5.Pu Yue
In May, all kinds of grass grow vigorously. The phrase "fighting for herbs, each showing their talent" in "Dream of the Red Chamber" refers to the folk activity of fighting for herbs. Among the many plants in May, the most prominent is the calamus. As one of the "Four Elegant Plants", the calamus grows by riverbanks, standing tall and green with fragrance, and is deeply loved by people. Drinking calamus wine and inserting calamus leaves became important customs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to ward off evil spirits. Hence, the fifth month is also called "Pu Yue".
6.Liu Yue
"Liu Yue" gets its name from the blooming of pomegranate flowers in May. Han Yu wrote the line "May's pomegranate flowers brighten the eyes." In ancient times, young girls in Beijing in early May used orange or bright red pomegranate flowers as hairpins, adorning themselves beautifully. Later, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month became known as the "Daughter's Festival".

Poems About the Fifth Lunar Month

1.Recalling Chang'an · May [Tang] Yan Wei
Recalling Chang'an, in May, the emperor avoided the heat at the imperial pond. He enjoyed sweet melons and plums,
Lucky charms of fragrant orchids and colored threads. Competing on high pavilions, willows and shade covered the streets.
2.Willows by the Water in May [Tang] Cui Hu
Roots stand firm at the riverbank, their shadow covering the shallow water. Their faces are still cold, their waists soft in the sunlight.
They sway in the air, heavy with branches, and brush the water with flowing ribbons. They seem drunk with the misty scenery, like they are sad with the moonlight and dew.
Their long threads may confuse the fish, and their weak branches may startle birds. How much emotion do they have, allowing spring to pull them.
3.The Moon on the Fifteenth Night of May [Tang] Bai Juyi
When harvest is good, people are happy, going out by day and by night.
The spring wind comes from the sea, and the bright moon shines on the river's head.
Lanterns light up every street, and music fills every building.
It's no problem to think of the capital, but you should not be tired of Hangzhou.