The gentle rain brings new flowers, and a thunderbolt awakens the beginning of the Awakening of Insects. "The Awakening of Insects is the third solar term among the 24 solar terms, marking the official beginning of the mid spring season. Usually on March 5th or 6th of each year in the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches 345 degrees of the ecliptic longitude, this vibrant and lively solar term is celebrated.
Jingzhe, formerly known as "Qizhe". According to legend, during the Western Han Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of Emperor Jing of Han Liu Qi, "Qizhe" was changed to "Jingzhe" and has been used ever since. Jingzhe means that the sudden movement of spring thunder awakens animals hibernating in the soil. At this time, the weather is getting warmer and there are gradually spring thunderstorms, and most parts of China are entering the spring plowing season.
Jingzhe is not just a solar term, but also a folk memory that carries profound cultural heritage.
In folk culture, Jingzhe has the custom of eating pears. During the Awakening of Insects season, when the climate is dry and warm, people are prone to dry mouth and tongue. Pears are juicy, sweet, and can nourish yin, moisten the lungs, relieve cough and phlegm, and help alleviate physical discomfort. At the same time, "pear" sounds similar to "li", and eating pears also implies separation from pests, avoiding diseases in the new year, protecting crops from pests, and praying for a smooth and healthy life.
Menggupi is also one of the traditions of awakening insects. The ancients believed that thunder was the masterpiece of the thunder god in the heavenly court. On the day of the Awakening of Insects, the thunder god struck the heavenly drum, and the human world followed the celestial time and covered the drum skin. In the Book of Rites, it is recorded that 'everyone who plays the drum must do so on the day of the awakening of the zither'. Menggupi is not only a skill, but also embodies the ancient people's reverence for nature and wisdom in adapting to the times. It is hoped that through this behavior, they can obtain the protection of the thunder god and make life as exciting and powerful as the sound of drums.
In the Guangdong region, there is a custom of Jingzhe and offering sacrifices to the white tiger. Legend has it that the White Tiger is the god of speech and right and wrong. Every year, the Awakening of Insects comes out to hunt for food and cause harm, leading to verbal disputes. In order to avoid disputes, people draw yellow black spots and fangs on white tigers with paper. On the day of the Awakening of Insects, they feed them with pig blood to prevent them from hurting others after eating. Then, they apply pig meat to the mouth of the white tiger, making it full of oil and water and unable to speak out about human rights. This custom reflects people's longing for a peaceful and harmonious life, attempting to resolve potential conflicts and disputes through the worship of white tigers.
Beating villains is full of fun and ceremony. The Awakening of Insects symbolizes the beginning of February, the sudden movement of spring thunder awakens hibernating snakes, insects, mice, and ants, and also symbolizes the beginning of activity for the "little people". In order to drive away the "little people" around them and avoid being framed by them, people would hold fragrant incense and mugwort to smoke the corners of their homes on the day of the Awakening of Insects, in order to drive away moldy and unlucky things. Later, it gradually evolved into the habit of beating paper figures to drive away bad luck and enemies. In some areas of the south, it is common to see women beating paper dolls with wooden slippers while muttering words: "Beat your little head, beat you until you feel angry and tremble, beat you until you feel nauseous when eating, kissing, and eating." This is a way to vent their dissatisfaction with the little people and hope that the new year will be free from their interference, and life will be smooth and successful.
Jingzhe, like a passionate melody played by nature, plays the strongest sound of spring, awakens all sleeping things, and also awakens our love and expectation for life.
In this hopeful solar term, let us follow the footsteps of spring, step out of our homes, and experience the vibrant vitality of nature. Look at the flowers blooming on the branches, delicate and juicy; Listen to the cheerful singing of the bird, clear and pleasant; Smell the fragrance emanating from the soil, fresh and pleasant. Let us stretch our bodies and minds under the warm spring sun, embrace life, and welcome a new beginning with full enthusiasm and positive attitude.
May you bravely embrace challenges and grow strong towards the sunshine in this awakening, like a new sprout breaking through the soil. May your life, like the blooming flowers of spring, be colorful and full of infinite possibilities.
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