Mángzhòng –Embracing Summer Harvest in June Mángzhòng, the 9th solar term of the lunar calendar, signals the arrival of hotter days and the ripening of crops. This term translates to "grain in ear" or "loose spike,” as this is the time when grains like barley, wheat, and early rice start to have loose ears and are nearly ripe. In ancient times, people celebrated this period as the beginning of the harvesting season. Summer Harvests and Festivals During Mángzhòng, harvesting is a busy affair for farmers. They start to reap and store crops like barley, wheat, and peas. Farmers also plant cotton and rice, relying on the increasing warmth and moisture for growth. Besides hard work, Mángzhòng also brings festivities for people. There are many traditional customs like eating zongzi, picking herbs for tea, and having dragon boat festivities. One famous practice during Mángzhòng is eating Zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves filled with savory or sweet stuffing. Historically, Zongzi was a food that can ward off evil during the Dragon Boat Festival. Now, this chewy snack is popular all year round, but especially during the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls in the fifth month in the lunar calendar. Another custom during Mángzhòng is picking herbs. Chinese medicine practitioners traditionally use Chinese herbs to bring balance and harmony to the body, and Mángzhòng is the season to harvest several herbs like Huoxiang, Purple Perilla, and Wild Chrysanthemum. These herbs are known for their cooling properties, which are perfect for hot summer days. Dragon Boat Festival, which usually starts during Mángzhòng, is a time-honored sport in China that has been around for over 2,000 years. The celebration commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against government corruption. People throw Zongzi into the river to appease the water dragon or spirit and prevent it from harming people. Welcoming the Summer Mángzhòng is a busy season for farmers, but also a time to embrace the summer heat, indulge in sweet foods and sports, and celebrate the arrival of the new season. The practice of honoring nature and celebrating the change of seasons is vital in Chinese culture. Mángzhòng provides people with an opportunity to stop and reflect on nature and embrace the gifts it brings us every year. In conclusion, Mángzhòng is an essential solar term for Chinese people. It marks the start of the busy harvest season and festive events. It is essential to celebrate and honor the gifts of nature, embrace the summer heat while enjoying sweet foods and sports.