The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Awakening of Insects (惊蛰) falls on March 6 and ends on March 20 this year.
Animals sleeping in winter are wakened by spring thunder (雷) and that the earth begins to come back to life.
Here are some things you may not know about Awakening of Insects.
The Awakening of Insects is an important time for farmers. During this period, most parts of China experience the quickest rise in temperatures and there is an increase in sunshine, which provides good natural conditions.
According to ancient Chinese folklore, a white tiger is the creature that brings bad luck. When practicing this old custom, people draw the white tiger on paper, and then paint pig's blood and pork on its mouth. This means the tiger is fed so that it would not eat people, avoiding bad luck.
They swim from deep water to shallow water in search of food, mating and bearing young. It is a good time for fishing. Fishing can provide mental and physical relaxation, especially for people living in the city.
A. It is widely seen as the beginning of the busiest time for farming.
B. Around the Awakening of Insects, some animals wake up, and so do fish.
C. So people offer food to the white tiger during the Awakening of Insects to protect themselves.
D. Awakening of Insects means a rise in temperature and increased rainfall.
E. Fishing in a lake, bathing in the sunlight and enjoying the singing birds make for a perfect weekend in spring.
F. The tiger is the king of the forest and often helps people out of trouble.
