【24节气英语说】芒种 Grain in Ear

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The Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain in Ear, the 9th solar term, begins on June 5 this year and ends on June 21.
中国农历将一年分为24个节气，芒种是其中的第9个节气，今年始于6月5日，止于6月21日。  

The solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers.
节气是几千年前为指导农业生产而创造的。芒种的到来意味着大麦和小麦等作物的成熟。对于农民来说，这也是一个忙碌的收获季节。

The following are five things you need to know about Grain in Ear
以下是关于芒种你需要知道的5件事

An increase inrainfall
降雨增多

Rainfall increasesduring Grain in Ear compared to the previous eight solar terms. Regions in themiddle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are about to enter the Plum Rainsseason.
与之前的8个节气相比，芒种期间降雨量增加。长江中下游地区即将进入梅雨季节。

Plum Rains, oftenoccurring during June and July, refer to the long period of continuous rainy orcloudy weather. This happens to be the time for plums to ripen, which explainsthe origin of its name.
梅雨，通常发生在6月和7月，雨日多，雨量大，天气多云，有时还伴有低温。这恰好是李子成熟的时间，这也解释了它名字的由来。

Pray for goodharvest
祈祷丰收

An Miao (meaningseedling protection) is a traditional farming activity of southern Anhuiprovince that has been practiced since the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
安苗是安徽南部地区的一项传统农业活动，开始于明朝早期。

Every year whenGrain in Ear comes, they hold the sacrificial ceremony to pray for goodharvests in the fall. People make different types of bread from wheat flour andcolor them with vegetable juice. The bread is used as a sacrificial offering topray for a good harvest and people's safety.
每年芒种来的时候，他们举行祭祀仪式，祈求秋天丰收。人们会用小麦粉做不同种类的面包，并用蔬菜汁给面包上色。面包被用作祭祀品，祈求丰收和人们的安全。

Say farewell tothe flora
送花神

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 bidfarewell to the flora and show their gratitude.
每年二月二的花朝节迎花神，到了芒种，百花开始凋残、零落，故民间多于此时举行祭祀仪式，饯送花神归位，同时表达对花神的感激之情，盼望来年再次相会。

Today, this customdoes not exist in many areas of China. The liveliness and excitement of theceremony can still be seen in the 27th chapter of the Chinese classic novel ADream of Red Mansions by Cao Xue’qin.
今天，这种习俗在中国的许多地方已经不存在了。在曹雪芹的中国古典小说《红楼梦》的第27章中，仍然可以看到开幕式的热闹和兴奋。

Mud wrestling
泥地摔跤 / 打泥巴仗

Youngstersof the Dong people in southeastern Guizhou province hold mud wrestling matchesduring Grain in Ear.
黔东南地区的侗族年轻人在芒种期间举行泥浆摔跤比赛。

On this day newlyweds, accompanied by their goodfriends, plant rice together. While planting, they throw mud at each other. Atthe end of this activity, whoever has the most mud on them proves they are themost popular person.
在这一天，新婚夫妇会在好朋友的陪伴下一起种稻。种植时，他们互相扔泥巴。在这个活动的最后，谁被扔了最多泥巴就证明他们是最受欢迎的人。

Have light food

注重轻食

Do not eat greasyor strongly flavored food during Grain in Ear, that's the healthcare advicegiven more than a thousand years ago by Chinese pharmaceutical expert SunSimiao of the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907). Generally, vegetables and coarse grainsthat work in lowering blood pressure and blood fat should be the first choice.
在芒种期间不要吃油腻或味道浓烈的食物，这是中国唐代医药专家孙思邈在1000多年前提出的保健建议。一般来说，可以降低血压和血脂的蔬菜和粗粮应该是首选。

The weather is hotduring the Grain in Ear period, therefore vegetables and fruits of a coolnature are recommended. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theories,they are all cool-natured and can help eliminate heat in the body and promotedigestion.
芒种期间天气炎热，因此推荐凉性的蔬菜和水果。根据中医理论，它们都是凉性的，可以帮助消除体内的热量，促进消化。