今日夏至：关于夏至的6个小常识 6 things you may not know about Summer Solstice

A public holiday in ancient times

夏至在古代是公共节假日

Summer Solstice was an important festival in ancient China. As early as the Han Dynasty (260BC-220), when the Mid-autumn Festival and the Double Ninth Festival were not as important as they are today, the Summer Solstice was already celebrated.

在中国古代，夏至是一个很重要的节日。早在汉朝时期（公元前260年-公元220年），中秋和重阳还没有像现在那么重要的时候，就已经在庆祝夏至了。

Before the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), people even had a one-day holiday on Summer Solstice. According to Song Dynasty (960-1279) records, officials could have three days off during the Summer Solstice.

清朝（1644年-1911年）以前，人们甚至会在夏至这天放一天假。根据宋朝（960年-1279年）文献的记录，官员在夏至可以放三天假。

To celebrate Summer Solstice, women gave colored fans and sachets to each other. Fans could help them cool down and the sachets could drive away mosquitoes and make them smell sweet.

为了庆祝夏至，妇女会互赠彩扇和香囊。扇子可以驱热，香囊可以驱蚊抑臭。