The Chinese solar 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 20.

中国二十四节气的第9个节气是芒种。今年的芒种从6月5日开始，6月20日结束。

The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. The following are seven things you need to know about Grain in Ear.

芒种的到来意味着麦子等谷物的成熟。一起来了解一下关于芒种的7个常识。

An increase in rainfall  雨水增多

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.

相比之前8个节气，芒种期间雨水会有所增多。长江中下游地区将进入梅雨季节。

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.

梅雨季节通常在6月和7月，这一期间会有阴雨连绵的天气。此时正好梅子成熟，因而得名。梅雨季节是种植稻米、蔬菜和水果的好时机。

Pray for good harvest  祈求丰收

"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.

芒种安苗是安徽南部始于明初的一种传统农事活动。每年芒种到来时，他们都会举行祭祀典礼，祈求秋季丰收。人们会用面粉做出各种形状的馒头，并用蔬菜汁染上颜色。这些馒头作为祭品用于祈求丰收和安康。

Say farewell to the flora 送别花神

In ancient China, on the second day of the second solar 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.

在中国古代，人们会在农历二月二日迎接花神的到来。芒种时节人们则会举行祭祀典礼送别花神，表达感激之情。

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.

如今，这一习俗在中国的许多地区都已经消失了。不过我们仍然可以在曹雪芹的古典小说《红楼梦》第27章中了解到生动有趣的祭饯花神仪式。

Mud wrestling 打泥巴仗

Youngsters of the Dong people 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.

贵州东南部的侗族年轻人会在芒种这天打泥巴仗。在这一天，新婚夫妇由好友陪同集体插秧，边插秧边打闹，互扔泥巴。活动结束，身上泥巴最多的，就是最受欢迎的人。

Boil green plums 煮青梅

In South 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，5月和6月是梅子成熟的季节。有一个著名的典故，就是三国时期曹操和刘备“青梅煮酒论英雄”。

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.

青梅含有多种天然和优质有机酸，而且富含矿物质，有助于清洁血液，降低血脂，消除疲劳，美容养颜。不过，新鲜的青梅很酸，需要煮一煮再吃。

Have light food 轻食养生

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).

芒种期间不要吃油腻或重口味的食物，这是中国唐代医药学家孙思邈在一千多年前提出的养生建议。

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.

通常来说，能够降低血压血脂的蔬菜和糙米应该是芒种期间首选的食物。在芒种时节，如果经常感到口渴乏力，就应少吃羊肉、猪肉、辣椒、洋葱和姜。

Eat fruits and vegetables with cool nature 吃凉性水果蔬菜

The weather is hot during the Grain in Ear period, therefore vegetables and fruits of a cool nature are recommended.

芒种期间天气炎热，建议吃一些凉性的蔬菜和水果。

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.

芒种期间吃苦瓜很不错。苦瓜含有大量天然营养的水分。据说苦瓜有疗愈功效，对高血压或高血糖的患者很有好处。

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.

其他适合在芒种期间吃的蔬菜水果包括西红柿、黄瓜、茄子、芹菜、芦笋、西瓜和草莓。中国传统药学理论认为，这些都是凉性食物，有助于消除体内的热气，促进消化。