芒种 Mangzhong (Grain in Ear)
二十四节气
24 Solar Terms
芒种是农历二十四节气中的第九个节气，夏季的第三个节气，表示仲夏时节的正式开始；芒种，谓有芒之种谷可稼种矣，即“有芒的麦子快收，有芒的稻子可种”。它也是二十四节气中唯一在名字上就与农耕直接相关的节气。
Mangzhong (Grain in Ear) is the ninth solar term of the year and the third in summer, marking the beginning of midsummer; Mangzhong in Chinese means that the wheats with awns are ready to harvest, and the rice with awns are to be planted. It is also the only solar term with its name directly linking to agriculture.
芒种气候
Climatic Features
芒种时节，雨量充沛，气温显著升高，降雨量充足而及时，此时中国长江中下游地区将进入多雨的黄梅时节。谷类作物茁壮成长，因此是适宜晚稻等谷类作物耕播的节令。
Mangzhong marks a time of plenty of heavy rain and rising temperature, when the “plum rain season (meiyu)” arrives in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. It is a good time to cultivate rice and other cereal crops.
芒种习俗
Traditional Customs
· 送花神
Offering sacrifices to the Flower God
芒种一般在农历五月间，百花开始凋残零落，明、清时民间盛行在芒种日举行祭祀花神的仪式，表达对花神的感激之情，并盼望来年再次相会。这一习俗如今已被人遗忘，但在古典名著《红楼梦》中还有对这一浪漫仪式的记述。
Mangzhong falls mostly in the middle of the fifth month of Chinese Lunar Calender, when flowers begin to wither. In Ming and Qing dynasties, people offered sacrifices to the Flower God to show their gratitude and wishes for her return in the next year. Nowadays, this tradition almost fades away, sadly, but we can still read about this romantic ritual in the famous Chinese novel A Dream in Red Mansions.
· 安苗
Wishing for good harvest (Anmiao)
安苗是皖南的农事习俗活动，始于明初。每到芒种时节，种完水稻，为祈求秋天有个好收成，各地都要举行安苗祭祀活动。家家户户用新麦面蒸发包，把面捏成五谷六畜、瓜果蔬菜等形状，然后用蔬菜汁染上颜色，作为祭祀供品，祈求五谷丰登、村民平安。
Since early Ming dynasty, people in Southern Anhui province have been holding ceremonies after rice planting on Mangzhong to wish for a good harvest. Each and every household grinds newly-harvested wheat and cooks steamed bread dyed with vegetable juice in the shapes of crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables. They present them as offerings for a better harvest and peacefulness.
· 煮青梅
Boiling green plums
在南方，每年五、六月是梅子成熟的季节。青梅含有多种天然优质有机酸和丰富的矿物质，具有降血脂、消除疲劳、美容、增强人体免疫力等独特营养保健功能。但是，新鲜梅子大多味道酸涩，难以直接入口，需加工后方可食用，这种加工过程便是煮青梅。
Plums ripen in May and June in Southern China. Green plum is rich in natural organic acid and minerals that can reduce fatigue and blood lipid level, boost immune system and beautify appearance. However, as fresh plums are bitter and sour, a boiling process ensuring good taste becomes necessary.
芒种养生
Health Advice
饮食起居方面：夏日昼长夜短，气候逐渐炎热，体力消耗较大，午休可助恢复疲劳。可适当接受阳光照射但要避开太阳直射、注意防暑，补充水分，饮食宜清淡、质软，不可过多摄入高热量食物，可适当吃些粳米、红豆、绿豆、粟米、苡仁、扁豆等甘淡平补之物，少盐、少糖、少辛辣，以免影响消化。
精神调养方面：应保持轻松愉快的心情，忌恼怒忧郁。
Mental health tips: Keep a relaxed and upbeat mood instead of anger or sorrow.
走近芒种
A Documentary
芒种当日必落雨，雨前收麦雨后播种，中国农民称芒种为忙着种。河南省项城市，中国麦产量最高的地域，田间一片忙碌，自给自足的生活方式，带给当地人最圆融洒脱的性格。
It is believed that rain shall always fall on Mangzhong. Consequently, farmers need to finish harvesting wheat before the rain and prepare to plant again afterwards, signifying a busy planting season (an implication reflected in the name of Mangzhong in Chinese). In Xiangcheng, Henan province, the region generating the highest wheat yields, farmers are working diligently in the fields. Their flexible and natural temperaments are derived from such self-sufficient lifestyle.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=545484932815001
今年的芒种次日——6月6日，恰巧是瑞典的国庆节。1523 年 6 月 6 日，古斯塔夫•瓦萨被选为国王；1809 年的同一天，瑞典实施新宪法。这一天，可以很难得地看到瑞典人挥舞自己的国旗。每年，瑞典国王和王后都会参加在斯德哥尔摩的斯堪森露天博物馆举行的国庆典礼，旗杆上升起黄、蓝两色的瑞典国旗，身穿传统农民服装的孩子们为国王夫妇献上夏季的花束。
Following Mangzhong this year, the Swedes celebrate their National Day on 6 June in honour of two historical events: Gustav Vasa being elected king (6 June 1523) and the adoption of a new constitution (6 June 1809). This day normally offers a rare chance to see Swedes waving the national flag. Every year, the King and Queen of Sweden take part in a ceremony at Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum, where the yellow and blue Swedish flag is run up the mast, and children in traditional peasant costume present the royal couple with bouquets of summer flowers.
Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se
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