摘要: “一候鹿角解；二候蝉始鸣；三候半夏生。”——夏至

今天，是北半球白昼最长的一天。

Today has the longest daytime in the Northern Hemisphere.

“夏至”在每年6月21日-6月22日到来，这时候太阳直射点位于北半球最高点。这天北半球白昼时间达到一年最长，在中国南部地区的日照时长能达到14小时。夏至以后，太阳直射点逐渐向南移动。

“Summer Solstice” comes on June 21 to June 22 each year when the direct sunlight arrives the highest point of the Northern Hemisphere. This day has the longest daytime of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the sunshine in many cities in southern China may last fourteen hours. After this day, the spot of the direct sunlight gradually moves southward.

【节气百科】

About Summer Solstice

夏至是二十四节气中最早被确定的一个节气。公元前七世纪，先人采用土圭测日影，就确定了夏至。周代夏至已有祭神仪式，认为可以消除疫疠、荒年与饥饿。从汉代就有过夏至节的习俗。

Summer Solstice is the earliest one identified as one of the twenty-four solar terms. In the seventh century BC, the ancestors used earth sundial to measure shadows and determine the Summer Solstice. In Zhou Dynasty, there were ritual ceremonies on Summer Solstice, in the hope of eliminating pestilence, famine and hunger. The custom of Summer Solstice Festival started from the Han Dynasty.

尽管夏至这天白昼时间最长，但并不是最热的一天。“不过夏至不热”，“夏至三庚数头伏”。夏至表示炎热的夏天已经到来，夏至后的一段时间内气温仍继续升高，大约再过二三十天，一般是最热的天气了。

Although this day has the longest daylight, it is not the hottest. As old Chinese saying goes, the weather starts to get hotter after the Summer Solstice. Summer Solstice represents that the hot summer has arrived. After the Summer Solstice, the temperature continues to rise and reaches the highest in about twenty to thirty days.

【传统习俗】

Traditions

旧时，人不分贫富，夏于日皆祭其祖，俗称“做夏至”。除常规供品外，特加一盘蒲丝饼。其时，夏收完毕，新麦上市，因而有是日吃面尝新的习俗，谚语说“冬至馄饨夏至面”。

In ancient times, no matter rich or poor, people used to worship the ancestors on the day of Summer Solstice, commonly known as "Zuo Xiazhi". In addition to the regular offerings, a plate of pancake was particularly used. The Summer Solstice arrives when the summer harvest is completed and the new wheat comes into season, therefore, there is the custom of eating noodles as a way to taste something fresh on this day. As the Chinese proverb says “Wonton for Winter Solstice and Noodle for Summer Solstice.”

在一些省份，夏至有吃凉面的习俗。根据北京地区的旧俗，每到夏至时，人们就会吃凉面刺激食欲，同时也不必担心会腹泻。

In some provinces, there is the tradition of eating cold noodles on the day. According to old customs in Beijing, when it comes to Summer Solstice, people will eat cold noodles to stimulate the appetite without worrying about having diarrhea.

【健康小贴士】

Health Tips

中医认为这一时节的养生保健，要顺应夏季阳盛于外的特点，注意保护阳气；饮食宜清淡，不宜肥甘厚味，以预防“中暑”、“上火”等。

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Summer Solstice is the season with the most Yangqi (vital energy) and the health regimen should comply with such a characteristic and protect it. It is better to eat a light diet rather than a high-fat and greasy one to prevent heatstroke and the suffering from excessive internal heat.

夏至养生有三个禁忌：一忌夜食生冷、空腹饮茶；二忌冷水洗浴；三、忌夜卧贪凉。夏至养生三宜：饮食宜多吃“苦”；宜晚睡早起；夏至前后半月最宜节气针灸。

There are three taboos of regimen on Summer Solstice: 1). Avoid eating cold food at night and drinking tea with empty stomach; 2). Avoid cold-water bath; 3). Avoid overnight air-conditioning. There are also three health tips on Summer Solstice: 1). Eating more bitter food; 2). Stay up late and get up early; 3). Acupuncture half month before and after Summer Solstice.

【夏至诗句】

欢迎大家试译！

   《竹枝词》唐朝·刘禹锡

杨柳青青江水平，闻郎岸上踏歌声。

东边日出西边雨，道是无晴却有晴。

来源：中华文化译研网