The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Awakening of Insects falls on March 5 and ends on March 19 this year.

中国传统农历将一年分为二十四节气，今年惊蛰节气从3月5日开始，3月19日结束。

Awakening of Insects signals a rise in temperature and increased rainfall. As the third solar term in the solar year, its name alludes to the fact that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities.

惊蛰的到来预示着气温升高和降雨量增加。作为二十四节气中的第三个，惊蛰意味着冬眠的动物被春雷唤醒，春回大地万物复苏。此时中国大部分地区也进入了春耕的关键时期。

Here are 4 things you may not know about Awakening of Insects.

一起来看看关于惊蛰的4个小常识。

Spring thunder cracks the sky春雷响，万物长

The spring thunder is most noticeable during the Awakening of Insects solar term. An old Chinese saying goes: "If the first spring thunder crashes before the Awakening of Insects solar term, there will be abnormal weather that year." The Awakening of Insects falls after the end of winter and before the beginning of spring. Wind during this period is an important factor in weather forecasting.

惊蛰节气最显著的特征就是春雷响起。中国有句古话：“未过惊蛰先打雷，四十九天云不开。” 惊蛰往往介于冬末春初之间。惊蛰时节的风也是预测后期天气的一个重要依据。

Modern meteorological science shows that around the Awakening of Insects, the earth becomes humid and the hot air near the surface rises; meanwhile, the hot humid air from the north is strong and creates frequent winds. For this reason, thunder occurs in this period. China covers a large range of latitudes from north to south, so the first spring thunder appears at different times in different areas.

现代气象科学显示，惊蛰前后，大地湿度渐高，而近地面的热气上升，同时，北方的湿热空气势力较强，活动频繁，导致这个时期春雷阵阵。由于我国南北跨度大，春雷始鸣的时间不一。

Spring ploughing春耕

The Awakening of Insects is an extremely important time for farmers and is widely seen as the beginning of the busiest time for agricultural work. During this period, most parts of China experience the quickest rise in temperatures, with the average level reaching above 10 degrees Celsius, and there is a marked increase in sunshine, which provides good natural conditions for farming.

对农民来说，惊蛰是非常重要的一个节气，它被广泛视为一年农忙的开始。中国大部分地区气温在此期间上升最快，平均气温达到10摄氏度以上，并且光照明显增强，为春耕提供了良好的自然条件。

A good time for fishing钓鱼好时节

Around the Awakening of Insects, hibernating animals wake up, and so do fish. They swim from deep water to shallow water in search of food, mating and bearing young. It is a good time for fishing.

惊蛰前后，动物从冬眠中醒来，鱼儿也不例外。他们从深水游到浅水中来觅食，交配和产卵，正是钓鱼的好时机。

Fishing can provide mental and physical relaxation, especially for people living in the city. Driving to the suburbs, fishing in a lake, bathing in the sunlight, enjoying the singing birds, fragrant flowers and waving willows make for a perfect weekend in spring.

钓鱼可以带来身心上的放松，尤其是对生活在城市里的人。开车来到郊外的湖边，沐浴在阳光下，聆听小鸟歌唱，享受清新花香，柳树随风飘扬，春天的周末如此完美！

Eating pears吃梨正当时

Eating pears around the Awakening of Insects is a widely-practiced custom in China. As the weather gets warmer and the air becomes dry, people tend to feel their mouths are parched and tongues dry, which can cause colds or coughs. A pear is sweet, juicy and cold, moistening the lungs to arrest a cough. Therefore, pears are highly recommended during the Awakening of Insect.

惊蛰吃梨是一项在中国广为流传的习俗。天气转暖，空气变得更加干了，人们会感到口干舌燥，会造成感冒或咳嗽。梨子甘甜、多汁、清凉，有止咳润肺的功效。因此惊蛰期间非常适合吃梨。