【24節(jié)氣英語說】芒種 Grain in Ear

歡迎訂閱主播“中國日報網(wǎng)”在喜馬拉雅上的【China Daily 英語新聞】和【24節(jié)氣英語說】兩個專輯，通過我們的節(jié)目，不錯過世界上發(fā)生的趣事！（未經(jīng)授權(quán)，切勿轉(zhuǎn)載）

The Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain in Ear, the 9th solar term, begins on June 5 this year and ends on June 21.
中國農(nóng)歷將一年分為24個節(jié)氣，芒種是其中的第9個節(jié)氣，今年始于6月5日，止于6月21日。  

The solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers.
節(jié)氣是幾千年前為指導(dǎo)農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)而創(chuàng)造的。芒種的到來意味著大麥和小麥等作物的成熟。對于農(nóng)民來說，這也是一個忙碌的收獲季節(jié)。

The following are five things you need to know about Grain in Ear
以下是關(guān)于芒種你需要知道的5件事

An increase inrainfall
降雨增多

Rainfall increasesduring Grain in Ear compared to the previous eight solar terms. Regions in themiddle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are about to enter the Plum Rainsseason.
與之前的8個節(jié)氣相比，芒種期間降雨量增加。長江中下游地區(qū)即將進(jìn)入梅雨季節(jié)。

Plum Rains, oftenoccurring during June and July, refer to the long period of continuous rainy orcloudy weather. This happens to be the time for plums to ripen, which explainsthe origin of its name.
梅雨，通常發(fā)生在6月和7月，雨日多，雨量大，天氣多云，有時還伴有低溫。這恰好是李子成熟的時間，這也解釋了它名字的由來。

Pray for goodharvest
祈禱豐收

An Miao (meaningseedling protection) is a traditional farming activity of southern Anhuiprovince that has been practiced since the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
安苗是安徽南部地區(qū)的一項傳統(tǒng)農(nóng)業(yè)活動，開始于明朝早期。

Every year whenGrain in Ear comes, they hold the sacrificial ceremony to pray for goodharvests in the fall. People make different types of bread from wheat flour andcolor them with vegetable juice. The bread is used as a sacrificial offering topray for a good harvest and people's safety.
每年芒種來的時候，他們舉行祭祀儀式，祈求秋天豐收。人們會用小麥粉做不同種類的面包，并用蔬菜汁給面包上色。面包被用作祭祀品，祈求豐收和人們的安全。

Say farewell tothe flora
送花神

In ancient China,on the second day of the second lunar month, people welcome the arrival of the Flower Goddess. During Grain in Ear people hold sacrificial ceremonies to bidfarewell to the flora and show their gratitude.
每年二月二的花朝節(jié)迎花神，到了芒種，百花開始凋殘、零落，故民間多于此時舉行祭祀儀式，餞送花神歸位，同時表達(dá)對花神的感激之情，盼望來年再次相會。

Today, this customdoes not exist in many areas of China. The liveliness and excitement of theceremony can still be seen in the 27th chapter of the Chinese classic novel ADream of Red Mansions by Cao Xue’qin.
今天，這種習(xí)俗在中國的許多地方已經(jīng)不存在了。在曹雪芹的中國古典小說《紅樓夢》的第27章中，仍然可以看到開幕式的熱鬧和興奮。

Mud wrestling
泥地摔跤 / 打泥巴仗

Youngstersof the Dong people in southeastern Guizhou province hold mud wrestling matchesduring Grain in Ear.
黔東南地區(qū)的侗族年輕人在芒種期間舉行泥漿摔跤比賽。

On this day newlyweds, accompanied by their goodfriends, plant rice together. While planting, they throw mud at each other. Atthe end of this activity, whoever has the most mud on them proves they are themost popular person.
在這一天，新婚夫婦會在好朋友的陪伴下一起種稻。種植時，他們互相扔泥巴。在這個活動的最后，誰被扔了最多泥巴就證明他們是最受歡迎的人。

Have light food

注重輕食

Do not eat greasyor strongly flavored food during Grain in Ear, that's the healthcare advicegiven more than a thousand years ago by Chinese pharmaceutical expert SunSimiao of the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907). Generally, vegetables and coarse grainsthat work in lowering blood pressure and blood fat should be the first choice.
在芒種期間不要吃油膩或味道濃烈的食物，這是中國唐代醫(yī)藥專家孫思邈在1000多年前提出的保健建議。一般來說，可以降低血壓和血脂的蔬菜和粗糧應(yīng)該是首選。

The weather is hotduring the Grain in Ear period, therefore vegetables and fruits of a coolnature are recommended. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theories,they are all cool-natured and can help eliminate heat in the body and promotedigestion.
芒種期間天氣炎熱，因此推薦涼性的蔬菜和水果。根據(jù)中醫(yī)理論，它們都是涼性的，可以幫助消除體內(nèi)的熱量，促進(jìn)消化。