Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins This year, the Summer Solstice falls on 21 June, marking the peak of Summer. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, generations of emperors patronised the Temple of Earth to offer sacrificial offerings to the God of Earth annually. It was believed that such ritual worship during the Summer Solstice would […]

Estimated Reading Time: 4 min Signifying the passing of spring, the arrival of Lixia (立夏) denotes the arrival of summer in traditional Chinese culture. The seventh out of the 24 solar terms that constitute the Chinese lunar calendar, Lixia marks the period when the sun falls between the celestial longitudes of 45° and 60°. This […]

Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins Taking its place just before the summer solstice is Mangzhong (芒种), the ninth of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, this significant solar term begins on 6 June when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 75°, before transitioning into the summer solstice when the […]

Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins As the revered embodiment of the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin holds profound significance in Buddhism, emerging as a prominent figure within its diverse branches, cultures and traditions. Held in great esteem for her boundless compassion and role in alleviating universal suffering, Guan Yin is admired by her devotees for […]

Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins The auspicious season of Mangzhong precedes the Summer Solstice’s grandiose celebrations, spanning from 5 to 21 June. 《月令七十二侯集解》：“五月节，谓有芒之种谷可稼种矣。” The 72 Pentads (月令七十二侯集解) is an ancient Chinese calendar system which depicts the subtle changes in Nature over the four seasons. It achieves this detailed periodicity by dividing each year into 72 […]

Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins In both past and present Chinese culture, summer is widely regarded as the season of abundance, auspiciousness and achievement. Regarded as the most Yang (阳) season in the eternal Yin-Yang (阴阳) cycle, summer is closely associated with passion, growth and brightness. The season harnesses a deep, intense energy to fuel […]

Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins As the sun reaches its zenith in summer, it heralds the arrival of the Summer Solstice, a momentous occasion celebrated across cultures and traditions. This momentous occasion, also known as Xiazhi (夏至), represents a time of abundance and achievement — bringing a much anticipated period of growth and prosperity that […]