EN
Grain in Ear is far more than just a busy farming solar term; it is a precious seasonal carrier of traditional Chinese culture, rich in interesting and meaningful folk customs that have been passed down from ancient times to the present. These simple, warm and vivid customs originate from the daily life of working people, fully reflecting their sincere respect for nature, passionate love for life, and earnest wishes for physical health, safe seasons and bumper harvests every year. Unlike grand and lively traditional festivals with fixed ceremonies, the customs of Grain in Ear are down-to-earth and closely integrated with seasonal climate changes and summer health preservation. They perfectly enrich the hot, busy and plain early summer with strong human warmth and unique cultural charm, and also help ordinary people naturally adapt to the hot and humid summer environment through simple daily habits inherited from ancient wisdom.
Eating sour plums is the most famous, popular and widespread Grain in Ear custom practiced across most regions of China. Early summer is the natural ripening period for both wild and artificially planted plums. Fresh ripe plums have a unique sour and sweet taste, and ancient people summarized through years of life experience that eating plums during Grain in Ear can effectively clear summer heat, relieve physical fatigue caused by sweltering weather, and nourish the human stomach and lungs. Since raw plums taste slightly bitter and overly sour for direct consumption, people have created various delicious summer treats through manual processing, including sweet and chewy candied plums, cool and refreshing plum syrup, and mellow and fragrant homemade plum wine. These traditional summer snacks are loved by both adults and children, becoming the most distinctive and memorable taste symbol of Grain in Ear. Another elegant and romantic traditional custom is seeing off the flower gods. Ancient Chinese people believed that all blooming spring flowers gradually wither and fade after the arrival of Grain in Ear, marking the end of spring bloom. On this special day, young girls would tie colorful silk ribbons on remaining flower branches to bid a gentle farewell to beautiful spring scenery and warmly welcome the lush, vibrant summer, expressing their deep love for natural beauty.
In addition to the well-known food and flower customs, many southern and central Chinese regions keep the ancient tradition of bathing in running river water on early Grain in Ear morning. Local villagers of all ages abide by this custom, believing that clean, flowing natural river water can wash away bad luck and negative energy, dispel internal body dampness, prevent common summer seasonal diseases, and bless people with physical health, peace and smoothness throughout the hot summer. In modern daily life, these ancient folk customs also provide valuable guidance for our scientific summer health management. During Grain in Ear, the weather turns distinctly hot and humid, which easily makes people feel tired, sluggish and loss of appetite. Therefore, it is highly recommended to maintain a light, healthy and digestible diet, drink sufficient warm water to replenish body moisture, keep a regular work and rest schedule, and avoid staying up late and overworking. These simple and practical living habits, inherited from thousands of years of ancient wisdom, help us better adapt to seasonal climate changes and maintain a stable and healthy physical and mental state amid the busyness of early summer.
