Grain in Ear, the third solar term of summer, marks the time for farmers in southern China to plant late rice and those in the north to harvest wheat.

Historical background

The earliest mention of Grain in Ear can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty.  The term is explained as the period suitable for planting crops with awns, such as rice and wheat.

Agricultural significance

Grain in Ear is crucial for farmers. It is the time to plant late rice in the south and harvest wheat in the north. Several farming proverbs emphasize the importance of timely farming during this period, such as: “If you don’t plant during Grain in Ear, it’s useless to plant later”.

Phenological signs

Grain in Ear is characterized by three natural phenomena: the birth of praying mantises; the singing of shrikes; the silence of mockingbirds.

Festival customs

Say farewell to the Flower Goddess

During Grain in Ear, people hold sacrificial ceremonies to bid farewell to the the Flower Goddess and show their gratitude.

Boil green plums

In southern China, plums ripen during May and June. Fresh plums are often sour, so there’s a tradition of boiling them. There was an allusion that Cao Cao and Liu Bei, two central figures in the Three Kingdoms period (AD220-280), talked about heroes while boiling green plums.

Pray for harvests

After planting rice, farmers hold ceremonies to pray for a good harvest. Families use new wheat flour to make steamed buns shaped like various crops and animals, dye them with vegetable juices, and offer them as sacrifices, wishing for abundant harvests and community safety.

Eat chard

In some regions, there is a tradition of eating a seasonal vegetable called chard. Consuming the vegetable symbolizes strength and vitality, wishing people health and longevity.

Grain in Ear emphasizes the connection between hard work and reward. The diligent efforts of farmers lead to the joy of harvest.