The implication of Xiaoman solar term is that the seeds of summer crops begin to fill full and immature. The traditional customs of Xiaoman solar terms include offering sacrifices to car gods, praying for silkworms, watching the yellow tops of wheat, suffering from hardships and grabbing water. All these traditional customs are entrusted with farmers' desire for full harvest today, and they also wish the water source to flourish.

What is the meaning of Xiaoman solar terms?

Interpretation of ancient books

"twenty-four solar term": "In mid-April, things are small and full." When it is full, the ears of wheat are full and immature, and everything grows a little full, but not yet full.

Agricultural proverb explanation

During the Xiaoman solar term, the Jiangnan area is often full of rivers and lakes. If it is dissatisfied, it must be a dry and rainy year. There are many proverbs in this regard, such as Anhui, Jiangxi and Hubei provinces, which have the saying that "there is no water to wash dishes"; In Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and other regions, there is an agricultural proverb that "the small man is dissatisfied and the ridge is broken"; There is also a saying in Sichuan province that "the small size can't fit, and the plows and rakes hang high". The word "full" here does not mean that the crops are full of grains, but it is used to describe the surplus and shortage of rain. It is pointed out that if there is not enough water in the field when it is full, the ridge may be cracked, and even rice cannot be planted when it is planted.

Meteorological interpretation

From May 20th to 22nd every year, it is considered as a small full when the sun reaches 60 degrees of the yellow diameter. In the Xiaoman solar term, except Tibet, Qinghai, Heilongjiang and Jilin, the average daily temperature in most areas north of the Yangtze River will reach above 22℃ for five consecutive days, and the summer in the climatic sense will begin. In ancient China, Xiaoman was divided into three stages: "A bitter vegetable show; Second, wait for the grass to die; Wait for the wheat to arrive in autumn. " That is to say, in the Xiaoman solar term, bitter vegetables are already lush; And some grass with soft branches that like shade began to die in the strong sunlight; At this time, the wheat began to ripen.

What are the traditional customs of Xiaoman?

1, grabbing water and offering sacrifices to car gods

In the old days, the irrigation and drainage of water trucks was an important event in rural areas. As the saying goes, "Three cars move when a small truck is full", and the water trucks were started when a small truck is full. Previously, farmers held a ceremony of "grabbing water" in the village fair as a unit, which was intended to be an exercise in the area of Haining.

2. Bitter dishes

In Xiaoman solar terms, a dish that must be eaten is bitter vegetables, commonly known as bitter vegetables. This is because Xiaoman is prone to wet skin diseases, so the diet should be based on refreshing and light vegetarian food, and you can often eat food with the function of clearing away dampness and heat. Sowthistle is a seasonal vegetable with the functions of clearing away heat, cooling blood and detoxifying. It is bitter with astringency, astringent with sweetness, fresh and refreshing, cool and tender, and rich in nutrition. Delicious and healthy.

3. Pray for silkworms

Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are rich in soil and water, and sericulture thrives in rural areas. Silkworm babies are very delicate and difficult to raise, so a festival of praying for silkworms will be held in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces during Xiaoman season. There is no fixed date for praying for silkworms. Any family can hold it on any day, but the difference is not more than two or three days. Many places in the south have built "Silkworm Mother Temple" and "Silkworm Temple", where sericulture families will bow down and serve wine, fruit and rich dishes.

4. Look at the yellow tip of wheat

"The wheat tip is yellow, and the woman looks after the mother. When the shackles are removed, the mother looks at the enemy." In Guanzhong area, the daughter who got married in Xiaoman season will go back to her parents' home to visit and greet the preparations for the summer harvest. This custom is called "looking at the yellow tops of wheat". You can't go home empty-handed. Son-in-law and daughter usually bring oil cakes, mung bean cakes and yellow apricots as gifts.