The 9th of China's 24 solar terms is Grain in Ear. This year's Grain in Ear begins on June 5th and ends on June 21st. The arrival of Grain in Ear means the ripening of wheat and other grains.
中国二十四节气的第9个节气是芒种。今年的芒种从6月5日开始，6月21日结束。芒种的到来意味着麦子等谷物的成熟。
During the Grain in Ear season, folk activities are as lively as a starry night sky around the world. Customs such as sending flowers to the god of flowers, fighting mud battles, and cooking plums, each with its own characteristics, not only enrich people's lives, but also are deeply rooted in the farming culture. In the southeastern part of Guizhou Province, newlyweds of the Dong ethnic group feel a different kind of joy in the “Mud Battle Festival” at the time of Grain in Ear. They go into the paddy fields with their friends and relatives, planting rice seedlings and laboring in the midst of laughter, throwing mud at each other, and having a great time. The more mud on their bodies, the more popular they are. In Jixi County, Anhui Province, the Anmiao festival is held during the Grain in Ear season. Families use new wheat flour to make steamed buns of various shapes, colorful and symbolic of a good harvest and good luck. These steamed buns are used as sacrificial offerings to pray for a good harvest in the fall, and also to convey people's aspirations for a better life.
芒种时节，各地的民俗活动如繁星点点，热闹非凡。送花神、打泥巴仗、煮梅等习俗，各具特色，不仅丰富了人们的生活，也深深扎根于农耕文化之中。在贵州省东南部，每逢芒种时节，侗族的新婚夫妇会在“打泥巴仗节”中感受别样的喜悦。他们与亲朋好友一同走进稻田，欢声笑语中插秧劳作，互相投掷泥巴，玩得不亦乐乎。身上泥巴越多，象征着越受欢迎，这种淳朴的欢乐让人倍感亲切。而在安徽省绩溪县，芒种时节则迎来了安苗祭祀活动。家家户户用新麦面制作各种形状的蒸包，有五谷六畜、瓜果蔬菜等，色彩斑斓，寓意着丰收和吉祥。这些蒸包被作为祭祀供品，祈求秋天能有个好收成，也寄托了人们对美好生活的向往。
In Ningbo, on the other hand, the custom of eating junta cabbage is popular during the Grain in Ear season. It is said that this will keep the skin smooth and delicate and avoid the heat rash in summer. In Southern Anhui, there is a special custom of “An Miao” during the Mang Seed Festival. When the sowing of rice is over, people will make the bao kuei with their own hands, and then respectfully place them in the corners of the fields, praying for a good harvest and the villagers' well-being. These bao kuey teow are not only offerings for rituals, but also delicacies to be shared with friends and relatives, which symbolize people's hope for a good harvest.
而在宁波，芒种时节则流行着吃君踏菜的习俗。据说，这样做能让皮肤保持光滑细腻，避免夏日的痱子困扰。在享受美食的同时，人们也在思考着自身与自然的和谐共生之道，以不同的方式回应着季节的呼唤。在皖南，每逢芒种时节，有一项特别的“安苗”习俗。当谷稻播种告一段落，人们便会亲手制作包粿，然后恭敬地将其摆放在田畈的角落，祈愿五谷丰登、村民安康。这些包粿不仅是祭祀的供品，更是与亲朋好友共享的美食，寄托着人们对丰收的企盼。
In the melody of the vigorous growth of all things, people carefully feel the flow of the years, and in the most simple way to nature, to the earth to pour out emotions. With the changing of the years, the Grain in Ear seems to be a hymn filled with the fragrance of rice. In this cycle of harvesting and sowing, people sweat hard and nurture the wisdom and hope of life. During the Grain in Ear, farmers are busy in the fields, they do not live up to the time, hard work, looking forward to the harvest. Just like us in life, only by cherishing the time and working hard can we harvest our own happiness and success. Only by sowing the seeds of hope and working hard with all our heart can we reap the fruitfulness of life.
在万物蓬勃生长的旋律中，人们细心感受着岁月流转的气息，并以最朴实的方式向自然、向大地倾诉情感。随着岁月的更迭，芒种仿佛是一首充满稻谷芬芳的赞歌。在这收获与播种的循环中，人们挥洒着辛勤的汗水，也孕育着生活的智慧与希望。芒种时节，农户们忙碌于田间地头，他们不负光阴，辛勤劳作，期待着五谷丰登。正如生活中的我们，只有珍惜时光，努力奋斗，才能收获属于自己的幸福和成功。只有播下希望的种子，用心耕耘，才能收获生命的丰硕果实。
Author: Zhao Xiuran
Date: June 3, 2024
