The Waking of Insects

The Waking of Insects is the third of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms in the Chinese calendar.

When it arrives, rainfall increases in many places, and farmers begin planting crops.

In Fujian, there is a custom of eating pears on this day. The weather is dry and people may have a dry mouth or cough. Pears help moisten the lungs and relieve coughing. Also, in Chinese, “pear” sounds like “leave,” which means pests will stay away from the crops and there will be a good harvest next year.

In western Fujian, the Hakka people cook taro with the skin on in hot water on this day. This symbolizes getting rid of insect pests.

During the Waking of Insects, people should keep a regular daily routine, stay relaxed and happy, eat a healthy diet, and exercise properly. They should also adjust their lifestyle according to changes in temperature and humidity indoors.