The Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain in Ear, (Chinese: 芒種), the 9th solar term, begins on June 6 this year and ends on June 21.
中國傳統的農歷將一年分為24個節氣，其中芒種(Grain in Ear)是第9個節氣，今年的芒種從6月6日開始，至6月21日結束。
The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers.
芒種的到來預示著大麥、小麥等作物的成熟，這也是一個農事繁忙的時節。
The following are seven things you need to know about Grain in Ear.
以下就是關于芒種你可能不知道的7件事：
An increase in rainfall
1、降雨量大增
Rainfall increases during Grain in Ear compared to the previous eight solar terms. Regions in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are about to enter the Plum Rains season.
和之前的8個節氣相比，芒種期間降雨量會大增，長江中下游地區還將進入梅雨季節。
Plum Rains, often occurring during June and July, refer to the long period of continuous rainy or cloudy weather. This happens to be the time for plums to ripen, which explains the origin of its name. Plum Rains is a good period for growing rice, vegetables and fruits.
梅雨通常出現在六七月之間，指的是長時間連續的陰雨天氣。之所以有“梅雨”一詞，是因為這個時節梅子正好成熟。對于水稻和蔬果的生長來說，梅雨都是一個好時節。
Pray for good harvest
2、祈豐年
An Miao (meaning seedling protection) is a traditional farming activity of southern Anhui province that has been practiced since the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Every year when Grain in Ear comes, they hold the sacrificial ceremony to pray for good harvests in the fall. People make different types of bread from wheat flour and color them with vegetable juice. The bread is used as a sacrificial offering to pray for a good harvest and people's safety.
“安苗節”(即保護作物幼苗的意思)是安徽南部地區一個傳統的農業活動，從明朝(1368-1644)起就有這一習俗。每年芒種時，人們都會舉行祭祀儀式，祈求秋天獲得豐收。人們用面粉制作各式糕點，然后用蔬菜汁液上色。這些糕點會被當做祭品，祈求豐收和人身安全。
Say farewell to the flora
3、葬花
In ancient China, on the second day of the second lunar month, people welcome the arrival of the Flower Goddess. During Grain in Ear people hold sacrificial ceremonies to bid farewell to the flora and show their gratitude.
古時候，農歷二月初二人們會歡迎花神到來，而在芒種時，人們就會舉行祭祀告別花神,表達自己的感激之情。
Today, this custom does not exist in many areas of China. The liveliness and excitement of the ceremony can still be seen in the 27th chapter of the Chinese classic novel A Dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin.
現今，中國許多地方都沒有這個習俗了，但是仍然能夠在曹雪芹《紅樓夢》第27回“黛玉葬花”中一窺究竟。
Mud wrestling
4、泥地摔跤
Young people of the Dong minority in Southeastern Guizhou province hold mud wrestling matches during Grain in Ear. On this day newlyweds, accompanied by their good friends, plant rice together. While planting, they throw mud at each other. At the end of this activity, whoever has the most mud on them proves they are the most popular person.
芒種時節，貴州侗族的年輕人們會舉行泥地摔跤活動。這一天，新婚夫婦們會在好友陪伴下一起插秧。插秧時，他們會朝對方扔泥巴，最后身上泥巴最多的人就是最受歡迎的人。
Boil green plums
5、煮青梅
In Southern China, May and June are the season when plums become ripe. There was an allusion that Cao Cao and Liu Bei, two central figures in the Three Kingdoms period (AD220-280), talked about heroes while boiling green plums.
在中國南方，五六月是梅子成熟的季節。傳說三國時期(前220-280年)曹操和劉備曾煮青梅酒論天下英雄。
Green plums contain a variety of natural and high-quality organic acids and are rich in minerals. They can help clean blood, lower blood lipids, eliminate tiredness and improve one's looks. However, fresh plums are acerbic and need to be boiled before serving.
青梅含有許多天然的、高品質有機酸，富含礦物質，可以幫助清潔血液、降低血脂、消除疲勞、養顏美容。但是青梅很酸，食用前需要烹煮。
Have light food
6、飲食清淡
Do not eat greasy or strongly flavored food during Grain in Ear, that's the healthcare advice given more than a thousand years ago by Chinese pharmaceutical expert Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907).
千多年前唐代(618年-907年)中醫學家孫思邈給出建議說，芒種時節不應進食油膩重口的食物。
Generally, vegetables and coarse grains that work in lowering blood pressure and blood fat should be the first choice. During this season, people are encouraged to consume less lamb, pork, hot peppers, onions and ginger if they are frequently feeling thirsty and tired.
一般來說，可以降低血壓和血脂的蔬菜、粗糧是首選。芒種時節，如果人們經常感到口渴疲勞的話，就應少吃羊肉、豬肉、辣椒、和蔥姜。
Eat fruits and vegetables with cool nature
7、進食涼性蔬果
The weather is hot during the Grain in Ear period, therefore vegetables and fruits of a cool nature are recommended.
芒種時間天氣很炎熱，因此就應進食性涼的蔬果。
The balsam pear is a classic choice. It contains a lot of natural and nourishing water. It's also said to have healing properties which are good for patients suffering from high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
苦瓜就是一個很經典的選擇。苦瓜含有大量天然滋養的汁液，據說在治療高血壓和高血糖方面療效很好。
Other recommendations include tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, celery, asparagus, water melon and strawberry. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theories, they are all cool-natured and can help eliminate heat in the body and promote digestion.
其他推薦進食的食物還包括西紅柿、黃瓜、茄子、芹菜、蘆筍、西瓜和草莓。中醫理論認為，這些都是性涼的食物，可以幫助清熱促消化。
上一篇：地球為什么是圓的
下一篇：布萊頓當選英國“最健康城市”
