Audio/Xinhua
Thunder in the spring appears in much of Chinese folklore and has close connection with the farming season.
The Awakening of Insects, the third of China's 24 solar terms, refers to the period when hibernating animals are awakened by spring thunder, the weather gets warmer and farmers all over China begin plowing fields. The Awakening of Insects, or "Jingzhe" in Chinese pinyin, falls on March 5 and ends on March 20 this year.
Three phases of Awakening of Insects
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Awakening of Insects has three phases. In the first phase, peach trees begin to come into flower. In the second, orioles start singing to attract mates, while the third phase kicks off the breeding season for birds such as hawks.
Spring plowing
As an old Chinese saying goes, "Once the Awakening of Insects comes, spring plowing never rests." The solar term ushers in the busiest time for agricultural work and is therefore vital for farmers. With rising temperatures and a noticeable increase in sunshine and raindrop, the Awakening of Insects provides ideal natural conditions for farming in most parts of China.
Photo/Xinhua
Beating "villains"and offering sacrifices to "white tiger"
"Villain" hitting is a folk ritual practiced in south China's Guangdong Province and Hong Kong to expel bad luck. People use human-shaped paper cut as a symbol of "villains" in their lives, and then let a "witch" (usually an elderly woman) hit the "villains."
A "white tiger" is the creature that brings quarrels and disputes in ancient Chinese folklore. It is said that the creature starts hunting during the Awakening of Insects, and people bitten by a "white tiger" will soon get into trouble.
In order to protect themselves, people offer sacrifices to the "white tiger" during the period. They draw a white tiger on paper, and smear its mouth with pig blood and pork. People feed the creature this way and hope that it will not attack humans.
Bland diet
It is believed that the rapid rise in temperatures may result in internal heat of human bodies, and people are more likely to suffer from sore throats and parched mouths during this period.
Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine recommends a bland diet. Preferable foods include pears, lotus roots and green vegetables, while the intake of greasy and spicy food is not encouraged.
Check the English version of the video provided by Weather China, online weather service of the China Meteorological Administration, to find out more!
Video/CGTN
Sources: Xinhua, CGTN
Photos: Xinhua, CGTN
Editor: Lv Yun