The Arrival of Summer 立夏

According to the 24 Solar Terms, today May 5, 2009 is the Arrival of Summer. The Arrival of Summer implies the end of spring and the beginning of summer. The Arrival of Summer was taken as the beginning of summer according to customary practice of China during olden days. According to Climatology, however, the average daily temperature must exceed 22℃ for five consecutive days and the first of these five days is considered the beginning of summer. Hence, Shanghai to date has not officially entered into the beginning of summer as yet.

Jeremy
Shanghai upon the Sea
May 5, 2009