Customs of Grain Buds
Grain Buds is the 8th solar term of a year, the 2nd one of the summer. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 60° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 75°. However, the term “Grain Buds” more often refers to the particular day when the sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 60°. In 2020, it falls on the 20th of May.
“Grain Buds” (from the Chinese “Xiaoman”) means that the seeds of the fall grain are becoming full but are not ripe yet. After Grain Buds, the differences in temperature between north and south China gradually decrease, while rainfall increases.
A farmers’ proverb in southern China says, “If there is not enough rainfall during Grain Buds, the farmlands will be dry.” This subtly suggests that the amount of rainfall during Grain Buds affects the amount of rainfall during the later “Rainy Season”.
Grain Buds is also a season for planting rice.
Below are excerpts from CGTN about the customs of the Grain Buds solar term.
Worship of the silkworm
Silkworms are difficult to feed. Temperatures, humidity, and the condition of the mulberry leaves all affect the silkworms’ lives. It is said that the birthday of the “God of Silkworms” falls during this season.
Those who raise silkworms would be busy boiling cocoons and reeling silk at the time. Both silk producers and merchants hold high standards for new silk going on the market.
Tasting bitterness
In the past, Grain Buds was a time of frequent food shortages, with last season's crops near depletion and new crops not yet ripe.
A ballad goes, “As the spring breeze blows, the bitter herbs grow. The wilderness is a granary.” It is the prime time to pluck edible wild herbs, such as bitter herbs, to feed hungry mouths during difficult times.
Today, people don't need to worry about food shortages anymore. But fresh seasonal herbs and vegetables are still good choices.
Garland chrysanthemum was originally a beautiful foliage plant in European gardens. But after its introduction to China, it became a delicious dish on the table.
Garland chrysanthemums become ready to eat during this period. This nutritious, scented plant is rich in vitamins, carotene, and a variety of amino acids, and helps increase appetite and lower blood pressure.
Source:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d414d30636a4d77457a6333566d54/index.html
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