The Start of Summer solar term falls on May 5 or 6 each year and marks the beginning of summer. 

Its arrival signifies the end of spring and the official start of early summer. After this point, temperatures rise significantly, rainfall increases, and crops grow vigorously.

Meteorological conditions

There are strict meteorological standards for entering summer: if the average daily temperature exceeds 22°C (including 22°C) for five consecutive days, the first day of this period is recognized as the Beginning of Summer for that location.

Cultural significance  

The Start of Summer has been highly regarded in China since ancient times. Although customs vary by dynasty and region, they all reflect a deep respect for traditional culture and practices.

During the Zhou Dynasty, emperors would lead officials to the countryside to "welcome summer" and instruct local officials to encourage farming. This tradition continued in the Han Dynasty, where both the emperor and officials wore red ceremonial robes to pray for a bountiful harvest. By the Song Dynasty, the rituals became more elaborate, and in the Ming Dynasty, the "tasting of new foods" customs emerged. In the Qing Dynasty, especially in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, families would steam new tea and serve it with various fruits as gifts to relatives and neighbors.

Additionally, there are special customs associated with Beginning of Summer, such as "weighing people" and "hanging eggs".

"Weighing people" involves hanging a large scale from a beam, where adults pull the scale's hook while hanging freely, and children sit in a basket to be weighed. Ancient people would take turns weighing themselves on this day, with the scale operator announcing the weights and adding auspicious phrases, reminding everyone to pay attention to their health. This custom continues today, with parents celebrating when children gain weight and grandparents enjoying the same with their grandchildren, symbolizing wishes for health and longevity.

On the Start of Summer, families also prepare one or two eggs for their children, known as "Start of Summer eggs". Children do not eat them immediately but instead place them in mesh bags to hang around their necks, running joyfully through the streets. Some children engage in "egg fighting", where they hold hard-boiled eggs and smash them against each other; the egg that remains intact is the "winner", while the broken one is the "loser". The winning egg is often hung on a flourishing old tree, symbolizing hopes for vitality and continuity.