What is the solar term and meaning of Xiaoman?
Xiaoman is the second solar term in summer, which represents the increase in precipitation, the warming of the climate, and the coming of crops.Mature, whenever this solar term comes, folks have the custom of worshiping the god of the car, praying for the silkworm festival, eating bitter vegetables, and grabbing water to celebrate the arrival of Xiaoman.
Introduction to Xiaoman
Xiaoman is the eighth solar term in the twenty-four solar terms and the second solar term in summer.From May 20th to 22nd every year, when the sun reaches 60° ecliptic longitude, it is Xiaoman.After Xiaoman, the weather gradually turns from warm to hot, and the precipitation will gradually increase.There is a folk saying that "little Man is full of rivers and rivers are full".Xiaoman marks the debut of the hot summer.As for this, it is too small and full, and the grains of summer crops such as wheat are full but immature, so it is called Xiaoman.In the Xiaoman season, the crops in Xiaochun are about to be harvested, the middle rice is fully planted, and the farming is busy.
Meaning of Xiaoman
1.It is related to the weather of agriculture
“Xiaoman, in mid-April, it is said that the Qi of wheat reaches this side Xiaoman, because it is not ripe.” It is described in "The Collection of the Seventy-two Hours of the Moon Order", "In the middle of April, people who are small and full, things are so small and full." At this time, the grains of summer-ripening crops such as wheat in the northern part of the country have begun to be full, but they have not yet matured., It is about the late stage of milk ripening, so it is called Xiaoman, which is a solar term indicating phenological changes.
2.It is related to precipitation
The agricultural proverbs in the southern region give Xiaoman a new meaning:"Xiaoman is dissatisfied, and the fields will be cut off"; The term "full" is used to describe the abundance and shortage of rainwater, and it is pointed out that if there is insufficient water storage in the fields during the Xiaoman period, the ridges of the fields may become dry and cracked, and rice cannot be planted even when the awns are planted.In addition, a folk proverb also says:"Little Man is full of big rivers and rivers are full." The heavy rains in the south began to increase, and the precipitation was frequent.Full can refer to both the ripeness of the grain and the abundance of rain.
Customs of Xiaoman
1.Sacrifice to the God of Chariot
Sacrificing to the God of Chariot is an ancient custom of Xiaoman in some rural areas.In the old days, the irrigation and drainage of water by the waterwheel was a major event in the countryside.There are also legends that the "god of the car" is a white dragon.Farmers put fish, incense and candles on the car base in front of the car to worship.There is a cup of white water in the sacrifice.meaning.These customs fully express people’s attention to water conservancy irrigation and drainage.
2.Silkworm Prayer Festival
It is said that Xiaoman is the birthday of the silkworm god, so there is a silkworm prayer festival in Jiangsu and Zhejiang during the Xiaoman solar term.Chinese farming culture is typified by "men’s farming and women’s weaving".The raw materials of women’s weaving are mainly cotton in the north and silkworm in the south.Silk needs to be obtained by raising silkworms to form cocoons and draw silk, so sericulture in rural areas in southern China is extremely prosperous, especially in Jiangsu and Zhejiang."Qing Jialu" records:"When Xiaoman came, the silkworm woman cooked cocoons, controlled the car and reeled silk, and operated day and night." It can be seen that the new silk is about to go on the market during the Xiaoman solar term in ancient times, and the silk market is about to become prosperous.
3.Eat bitter vegetables
The spring breeze blows, bitter vegetables grow, and the barren fields are the granary.Bitter vegetable is one of the earliest wild vegetables eaten by the Chinese."Compendium of Materia Medica":(bitter and bitter vegetables) for a long time, peace of mind and Qi, light body, anti-aging.In medicine, bitter cabbage is often used to treat fever, and the ancients also used it to sober up.
4.Grab the water
"Grab the water" is an old folk farming custom.It is spread in the Haining area of Zhejiang Province.When this ceremony is held, the elderly deacons usually call each household, light the torches at dawn on the determined date, and eat wheat cakes, wheat cakes, and wheat balls on the waterwheel base.The deacon used the drum and gong as the trumpet, and the crowd reconciled with the hammer, and set foot on the pre-installed waterwheels on the river.During the Xiaoman season, dry weather is prone to occur, which is very unfavorable for crops.In the old days, farmers would use water trucks to drain and irrigate water to ease the morning.
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