24 Solar Terms: Start of Summer

(chinadaily.com.cn)

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Summer (Chinese: 立夏), the 7th term of the year, begins on May 6 and ends on May 21 this year.

Start of Summer signals the transition of seasons. On this day, the sun's rays reach an angle of 45 degrees to the earth. The temperature will rise quickly during this period, yet in northern China weather remains mild, not tropical.

Start of Summer (Chinese: 立夏), the 7th term of the year, begins on May 6 and ends on May 21 this year. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]