Solar Terms 101: Flinging Mud, Planting Crops, and Sipping on Suanmeitang for Mangzhong

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 节气 jiéqì solar terms based on seasonal changes and natural phenomenon. They play an important role in guiding agricultural activities, even to this day. But even city-dwellers like us can enjoy them. Each solar term has its own associated customs, traditions, and even recipes. In Solar Terms 101, we delve into what makes each one special...

Name of the solar term: 芒种 mángzhòng lit. "The crops with awns should be sowed"
Gregorian date: Jun 5 +/- a day (Jun 6, 2023)

What is mangzhong all about?

Given that China's eastern and southern regions experience a steady influx of monsoons throughout the spring and summer seasons, both the country's temperature and humidity will dramatically rise over the coming months. Additionally, because the weather patterns differ so drastically between the north and the south, there is a substantial variation in the major types of crops cultivated and their agricultural schedules during this time. During mangzhong, for example, northerners are busy harvesting the husk-filled wheat they sowed in xiaoman while the southerners have already begun transplanting their rice fields. As such, for farmers in ancient times, this period presented the most crucial and challenging season during the whole year's harvest.

Despite being busy they apparently weren't lacking in the wherewithal for a little wordplay along the way. While 芒种 mángzhòng literally means "the crops with awns should be sown," it is also a transliteration of 忙种 mángzhòng, translated as "busy with sowing."

The proverb "If it's not planted yet, it won't be of use later" (芒种不种，再种无用 mángzhòng bù zhǒng, zài zhǒng wúyòng) sums up the hustle during this solar term, as for most people this was the last chance to grow new crops for the year.

Mantis, butcherbirds, and mocking birds

Despite summer generally being regarded as the zenith for yang energy and a time in which yin subsides, these two vital forces are in fact both hard at work during mangzhong, and a steamy summer with heavy rainfall is a significant representation of yin energy in the warmer months.

In fact, each of mangzhong's three micro seasons are defined by animals, all of whom are affected by 阴气, the yin energy. In the first micro season, mantis eggs laid the previous autumn will begin to hatch, awakened by the rising temperatures and humidity. Likewise, the butcherbird's chirp ushers in the second micro season. Finally, it all comes to a close when the hummingbird's chirp falls silent under the oppressive summer heat.

Whereas most Chinese customs surrounding solar terms are tied to agricultural harvests or prayers for the health of family, not all customs are so devoutly pragmatic. For example, “Seeing off the floral goddess” appeals to the more romantic side of Chinese life. That is, by the time mangzhong rolls around, most spring flowers have wilted under the heat and people take that to mean the goddesses of flora and fauna have completed their earthly duties and are returning to the heavenly realms. To give thanks and say farewell, folks hang flags or figures made from flowers and twigs on trees.

Another lighthearted tradition is enjoyed by the Kam people of Guizhou province, who turn the tedious and arduous task of rice transplanting into a mud-slinging bonanza. During this event, newly married couples are joined by their friends in the rice fields, where they not only cater to the crops but have a wild mud fight to boot, with the person most caked in mud being crowned the "winner."

What to eat for mangzhong

Before popsicles, fridges, and air conditioners were invented, getting through a Chinese summer was something of a slog. The scorching, sauna-like weather coupled with laborious crop planting deprived many of their appetites and left them dizzy, sweaty, and dehydrated.

One thing that helped relieve these symptoms, however, was the seasonal green plum. Unfortunately, in its raw form, the acerbity of this fruit makes it unpalatable for many but after boiling them with a little sugar they become a sticky and cooling treat. In Beijing you can go one step further, sipping on 酸梅汤 suānméitāng plum syrup, which is made from dried plums, rock sugar, hawthorn, osmanthus, orange peels, and whatever other seasonings your heart desires.

READ: Try These Almond Lemon Blueberry Pancakes for Your Next Breakfast

Images: Xuntu, Xiumu, Wikipedia