7th solar term of the 24 solar terms [Beginning of Summer]
The beginning of summer.
It is the season when the earth is covered with grass and trees grow thick.
Carp streamers swim under the blue sky, enjoying the refreshing breeze.
The beginning of summer is said to be the most comfortable time of the year.
"Rikka" is written as "summer begins," and means "the time when signs of summer begin to appear." "Rikka" represents the beginning of a new season, and on the calendar, summer lasts from the beginning of summer until the day before the beginning of autumn.
Now, let us introduce some events that take place around the time of early summer (Rikka).
[Events around the beginning of summer]
・Children's Day and Boys' Festival (May 5th)
・Mother's Day (May 14th)
Food for Boys' Day
Chimaki and kashiwamochi are well-known seasonal foods for celebrating Boys' Festival, but some people may be wondering which one to prepare.
◆The origin of chimaki◆
Zongzi originates from a Chinese story.
Approximately 2,300 years ago in China, there was a poet named Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was also a capable politician and served as a close aide to the king. He was greatly loved by the people for his sense of justice and strong commitment to his country, but he was overthrown by a conspiracy and exiled from the country.
The long epic poem "Li Sao" (Li Sao), which describes his feelings at that time, has become a masterpiece of Chinese literature, but Qu Yuan, disappointed with the future of his country, threw himself into the river. That day was May 5th.
People mourned Qu Yuan's death, and on the anniversary of his death they would toss offerings to him in remembrance, but before the offerings could reach Qu Yuan, they were stolen by an evil dragon. So, people wrapped glutinous rice in elm leaves (other theories say it was made from thatch or bamboo), which dragons hate, and tied it with five-colored threads (red, blue, yellow, white, and black) to ward off evil spirits before throwing it into the river, and it would now reach Qu Yuan safely.
This is the origin of chimaki. The custom of making chimaki on May 5th to ward off evil spirits was introduced to Japan. The five colored threads tied to the chimaki (red, blue, yellow, white, and black) (which stem from the five elements of yin and yang) are meant to ward off evil spirits and ensure the safe growth of children, and are reflected in the streamers on carp streamers.
◆The origin of Kashiwamochi◆
While chimaki rice dumplings are from China, kashiwa mochi are unique to Japan and were born in Edo during the Edo period. The oak tree that wraps kashiwa mochi has long been considered a sacred tree (its old leaves do not fall off until new shoots appear, so it is said that gods reside there, and the leaves have a fragrant scent and are used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits). In addition, because the old leaves do not fall off until new shoots appear the following year, kashiwa mochi is associated with "an unbroken line of successors" and "prosperity of descendants," making it an auspicious food for Boys' Festival.
As you can see, the foods eaten on Boys' Day, chimaki and kashiwamochi, have their own origins, but while kashiwamochi spread throughout the country reflecting Edo culture, chimaki was passed down in Kyoto culture, which values tradition, and even today kashiwamochi is popular in Kanto and chimaki in Kansai.
Rice planting ritual
The beginning of summer marks the start of rice planting and also the beginning of the rainy season.
In some regions, festivals are held to pray for a good harvest. After women and children are purified, they plant rice and dance to pray for a good harvest.
Mother's Day May 14, 2023
Mother's Day is a day to express gratitude to mothers , and falls on the second Sunday of May every year. On Mother's Day, it is customary to give gifts and flowers to mothers as a sign of gratitude and respect. May 5th is Children's Day, which, according to the National Holidays Act, is "a day to respect the individuality of children, to promote their happiness, and to express gratitude to mothers."
Of course, it is a day to pray for the healthy growth of children, but it is also a day for children to thank their mothers for giving birth to them.
This means that Mother's Day can be interpreted as a day for families to express their gratitude to their mothers, and for mothers to share the joy of becoming a mother with their children and family, saying thank you for being born.
Mother's Day and Carnations
Giving carnations on Mother's Day has long been a standard gift. The origin of this tradition is that carnations do not drop their petals as they wither, but rather keep their petals attached to the center, and as they wither, they resemble a mother holding her child close to her chest. This represents the idea that "a mother's love never fades," and carnations have been cherished as a symbol of Mother's Day.
The flower language of carnations is "innocent and deep love," and it is believed that carnations were chosen for this reason as well.
Each flower has its own meaning, and even if the flower is the same variety, the meaning changes depending on the color and number. Let's take a look at the meanings of carnations by color!
●A classic! Vivid "red carnations"●
Red carnations represent "love for mother," "mother's love," "pure love," and "true love." They also mean "I miss you," making them a perfect gift for a mother who lives far away.
●Deep red●
The flower language of deep red carnations, such as wine red and burgundy, is "sorrow of the heart." While they give off a mature and elegant impression, the flower language's meaning makes them less appropriate as gifts.
●White Carnation●
It has both positive meanings such as "pure love" and "respect" as well as the negative meaning of "rejection of love."
It is also customary to give white carnations to the grave or Buddhist altar when "remembering a deceased mother" or on Mother's Day. However, some people consider this to be inappropriate for someone who is still alive. It's best to combine them with other flowers in an arranged bouquet.
●Pink Carnation●
Pink carnations, often given as gifts on Mother's Day, have the meaning of "gratitude." Other meanings include "women's love," "beautiful gestures," "elegance," "refined elegance," and "warm heart." This makes them the perfect gift color.
●Yellow Carnation●
Yellow carnations represent "beauty" and "friendship." In addition, they also represent "contempt" and "jealousy." Yellow is a color that gives a positive impression, but in the language of flowers, it often has a negative meaning.
●The meaning of orange carnations●
Orange carnations represent "pure love." They also mean "I love you," making them a perfect gift not only for Mother's Day, but also for your lover.
●The language of purple carnations●
The chic purple carnation has the meaning of "pride" and "elegance." However, since it also has negative meanings such as "whimsical" and "fickle," it's best to combine it with other colors when giving it as a gift.
●The meaning of blue carnations●
The flower's meaning is "eternal happiness." Blue carnations were developed through genetic engineering and are named "Moondust." There are varieties such as aqua blue and lilac blue, and in person they are closer to purple than blue.
Colorful rainbow-colored carnations and bright blue carnations are often sold, but they are actually white carnations that have been colored with colored water.
●Green Carnation●
The gentle green of carnations represents "healing" and "pure love." The natural green color is said to have a healing and relaxing effect on people.
Give as many carnations as you like!
There is no set number that is recommended for a Mother's Day bouquet. If you're unsure how many carnations to give on Mother's Day, it might be fun to incorporate this idea into your thinking. However, unlike roses, the meaning of carnations does not change depending on the number you give, so you can choose according to your budget.
1: Gratitude
2: Sincerity
3 bottles: happiness
4: Trust
5 bottles: hope
6 books: love
7: Passion
8: Truth
9: Respect
10: Glory
11: Effort
12: Eternity
Choosing the number of carnations for Mother's Day based on the language of flowers
1: If you simply want to express your gratitude
8 pieces: To express gratitude for consideration
12 sticks: Recommended as a gift to express gratitude, love, happiness, respect, etc.
By the way, Father's Day is held on the third Sunday of June, a day to express respect and gratitude to fathers. The flowers given to fathers on Father's Day are traditionally yellow roses.
The flower language of "yellow roses" includes meanings such as "friendship," "peace," and "devotion," as well as "infidelity," "jealousy," and "fading love." Unlike other colors, yellow flowers often have both good and bad meanings, or even negative meanings, so when giving a gift, it's a good idea to be particular about the combination with other flowers.
Giving seasonal flowers as a gift is a joy for both the giver and the recipient, as they can enjoy the beauty of that season.
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The beginning of summer is expressed in the 72 seasonal divisions as follows:
Early summer is the time when frogs start croaking, earthworms crawl out, and bamboo shoots sprout.
(The bamboo in "bamboo bamboo" is thought to be made from madake bamboo.)
First sign: Frogs begin to croak
Frogs wake up from hibernation in early spring,
This is the time when they start to become active in the fields and rice paddies, and their cries begin to fill the surrounding area.
Next sign: Earthworm emergence
This is the time when vegetation grows, plants become active, earthworms become active, the soil is cultivated, and it becomes rich.
Last sign of the season: Bamboo shoots growing
Bamboo shoots grow quickly, so if you don't harvest them before they get too long, you won't be able to enjoy their delicious taste.
After it rains, bamboo shoots appear one after another and grow rapidly overnight, so the phrase "bamboo shoots after the rain" is used as a metaphor for similar things appearing one after another.
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With the many events of spring behind us and the recent Golden Week holiday, it may finally be time for a calmer and more hectic life. Early summer foods are in season and packed with nutrients. Let's be grateful for the blessings of nature and prepare for the coming heat.
