导语：Jingzhe, otherwise known as the Waking of Insects, is the third of China. 24 solar terms and usually starts around March 5
Awakening of Insects----JingZhe
Otherwise known as the Waking of Insects, is the third of China's 24 solar terms and usually starts around March 5. As the name indicates, this term sees hibernating insects begin to wake and marks the start of mid-spring. At this time, the weather gets warmer, and animals awaken under the call of the spring thunder. Farmers seize this chance to begin plowing fields all over China.
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Awakening of Insects (Chinese: 惊蛰) falls on Mar 5 and ends on Mar 20 this year.
An old Chinese saying goes: "If the first spring thunder crashes before the Awakening of Insects solar term, there will be abnormal weather that year." The Awakening of Insects falls after the end of winter and before the beginning of spring. Wind during this period is an important factor in weather forecasting.
During this period, most parts of China experience the quickest rise in temperatures, with the average level reaching above 10 degrees Celsius, and there is a marked increase in sunshine, which provides good natural conditions for farming. Old Chinese sayings such as "once the Awakening of Insects comes, spring ploughing never rests" reveal the importance of this term to farmers.
Eating pears around the Awakening of Insects is a widely-practiced custom in China. As the weather gets warmer and the air becomes dry, people tend to feel their mouths are parched and tongues dry, which can cause colds or coughs. A pear is sweet, juicy and cold, moistening the lungs to arrest a cough.