The Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain in Ear, (Chinese: 芒种), the 9th solar term, begins on June 6 this year and ends on June 21.
中国传统的农历将一年分为24个节气，其中芒种(Grain in Ear)是第9个节气，今年的芒种从6月6日开始，至6月21日结束。
The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers.
芒种的到来预示着大麦、小麦等作物的成熟，这也是一个农事繁忙的时节。
The following are seven things you need to know about Grain in Ear.
以下就是关于芒种你可能不知道的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个节气相比，芒种期间降雨量会大增，长江中下游地区还将进入梅雨季节。
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.
梅雨通常出现在六七月之间，指的是长时间连续的阴雨天气。之所以有“梅雨”一词，是因为这个时节梅子正好成熟。对于水稻和蔬果的生长来说，梅雨都是一个好时节。
Pray for good harvest
2、祈丰年
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.
“安苗节”(即保护作物幼苗的意思)是安徽南部地区一个传统的农业活动，从明朝(1368-1644)起就有这一习俗。每年芒种时，人们都会举行祭祀仪式，祈求秋天获得丰收。人们用面粉制作各式糕点，然后用蔬菜汁液上色。这些糕点会被当做祭品，祈求丰收和人身安全。
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.
古时候，农历二月初二人们会欢迎花神到来，而在芒种时，人们就会举行祭祀告别花神,表达自己的感激之情。
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.
现今，中国许多地方都没有这个习俗了，但是仍然能够在曹雪芹《红楼梦》第27回“黛玉葬花”中一窥究竟。
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.
芒种时节，贵州侗族的年轻人们会举行泥地摔跤活动。这一天，新婚夫妇们会在好友陪伴下一起插秧。插秧时，他们会朝对方扔泥巴，最后身上泥巴最多的人就是最受欢迎的人。
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.
在中国南方，五六月是梅子成熟的季节。传说三国时期(前220-280年)曹操和刘备曾煮青梅酒论天下英雄。
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.
青梅含有许多天然的、高品质有机酸，富含矿物质，可以帮助清洁血液、降低血脂、消除疲劳、养颜美容。但是青梅很酸，食用前需要烹煮。
Have light food
6、饮食清淡
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)中医学家孙思邈给出建议说，芒种时节不应进食油腻重口的食物。
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.
一般来说，可以降低血压和血脂的蔬菜、粗粮是首选。芒种时节，如果人们经常感到口渴疲劳的话，就应少吃羊肉、猪肉、辣椒、和葱姜。
Eat fruits and vegetables with cool nature
7、进食凉性蔬果
The weather is hot during the Grain in Ear period, therefore vegetables and fruits of a cool nature are recommended.
芒种时间天气很炎热，因此就应进食性凉的蔬果。
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.
苦瓜就是一个很经典的选择。苦瓜含有大量天然滋养的汁液，据说在治疗高血压和高血糖方面疗效很好。
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.
其他推荐进食的食物还包括西红柿、黄瓜、茄子、芹菜、芦笋、西瓜和草莓。中医理论认为，这些都是性凉的食物，可以帮助清热促消化。
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