Lì Xià (Start of Summer) is the seventh of China’s 24 traditional solar terms, marking the official beginning of summer according to the lunisolar calendar. It usually falls around May 5–7 each year and signals warmer weather, longer days, and the start of vigorous plant growth. The character 立 means 'to establish' or 'to begin', while 夏 means 'summer'—together they literally convey 'the establishment of summer'.

This term is deeply rooted in agricultural tradition and seasonal awareness, often referenced in weather forecasts, farming guides, and cultural discussions about seasonal changes. While not used in daily conversation like common nouns, it appears regularly in news reports, almanacs, and educational materials about Chinese culture and ecology. People may observe Lì Xià with regional customs such as eating specific foods (e.g., boiled eggs or black beans) believed to strengthen health for the coming season.