TouFu / Solar Terms / Zodiac

[Randy W]

2022 is the Year of the #Tiger, according to the Chinese Zodiac. The tiger is regarded as the king of the animals with magical powers to protect the house, drive away evil, and bring good luck. In ancient China, people not only wrote tiger-themed calligraphy and depicted them in ink paintings, but also liked to wear tiger-patterned clothes, belts, and hats. Ancient Chinese people used the tiger’s image and power to symbolize heaven and earth, clarify the levels of officialdom, avoid evils, and frighten enemies.
Tigers in various images have become a special decoration for festivals and daily life today, representing Chinese people’s love for the animal and aspiration for a better life. Photo courtesy of The Palace Museum

from China Pictorial on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaPic/posts/4709253605866658

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

#Chunfen, or #spring equinox, is an important date for Chinese farmers. 
Not only is it one of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar that reflect changes in the seasons, but it also signals the start of one of the year's busiest farming periods. 
This year, Chunfen falls on March 20, and farms across the country are already a hive of activity.

from Xinhua's FlyOverChina
https://www.facebook.com/FlyOverChina/posts/1809996675856565

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Taste of Summer | Traditional Sichuan dish on Grain in Ear
"Mangzhong" or "Grain in Ear", the 9th solar term, falls on June 6 this year. This period is quite labor-intensive for farmers harvesting summer grains and planting crops for autumn. In this video, Chinese Chef Qiao Xing shows how to make Grain in Ear cuisine. Wanna have a try?

from Xinhua Culture&Travel on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/XinhuaTravel/videos/388742203322946/

[Randy W]

As the crops ripen, Mangzhong on China's Lunar Calendar is a busy period for farmers. #GLOBALink
(the dates for the solar terms are based on the solar calendar)

also from Xinhua Culture&Travel on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/XinhuaTravel/videos/1197861674362026/

 

 

[Randy W]

It’s the Day of Xiazhi, better known as the summer solstice in the West, the longest day of the year.

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms according to seasonal changes, which still guide what we eat and do, even to this day.

Just like today's diet fads, ancient China believed that eating certain foods at the right time would be good for your health. Not all of the beliefs are superstitious because the wheat is freshly harvested, which makes dumplings and noodles during this time particularly nutritious.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3360533487564917&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C

 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Little heat today Xi ǔo sh 今日

ite The little heat. Slight heat

#二十四节气 the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms

Little Heat, or Xiaoshu, the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, falls on July 7 this year. She indicates that the warmer period is coming. On this day, people eat watermelons, admire lotus flowers, and expose books and clothes to the sun.

During the period of Low heat, with the long day and strong sunlight, many people will sunbathe and air out their books and paintings to avoid mold.

Relaxing at home and having frozen treats might be the best summer choice. With the singing of cicadas and the scent of flowers, people are enjoying a good summer.

Some refreshing fruit to whet the appetite when summer arrives. Many kinds of melons, especially watermelon, are seasonal favorites.

Lotus flowers also welcome the arrival of high temperatures. During this time, the blossoming flowers and green lotus leaves flutter with the summer breeze and send their beauty to visitors.

https://www.facebook.com/asso.yifang/posts/pfbid0JXipnpzpPfJM6TZEiDuAZ8sM2FnzKSYeHErGtV3sDG9CiLidGsfStYZBZoY5qc17l

 

[Martin B]

Great thread. It's a shame Greg hasn't been around in over 2  years, really enjoyed his posts.

[Randy W]

China now has entered Zhongfu, the second phase of #Sanfu. In the Chinese lunar calendar, Sanfu refers to the three 10-day periods that are predicted to be the hottest days of the year, which are called Toufu, Zhongfu and Mofu.
Sanfutie, or Sanfu medicinal patch, among the traditional Chinese ways of spending the dog days of summer, is a bandage made of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (#TCM) believe that receiving Sanfutie during the hottest summer days is effective for coughs, asthma and arthritis; it is a patchwork solution for winter ills in summer.

from China Pictorial on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaPic/posts/pfbid0283SGCSti1JMJgM7LPWaq4Jky4SECuJBwhbc31SyB8DeTfpm2gwR5vr1dNqNAzAtLl

Edited December 7, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Today is Chushu (处暑), a solar term marking the end of #summer heat. The #rice paddies at Longji #RiceTerraces (#龙脊梯田) in Longsheng County, #Guilin, are turning #golden yellow. This is the best time of the year to appreciate its #beauty! #Photography #Autumn #Travel

from Discover Guangxi China on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverGuangxi/posts/pfbid02kbYSU3QpdpAc7DGAgiCuCw6bP9jFwM2yqjhFjckxdycp55b32Ce5HPQW2SSGnXHSl

 

 

[Randy W]

Today is the First Frost(霜降) in the traditional #Chinesesolarterm. On the day of the First Frost, the rice fields have already turned yellow, the ethnic Zhuang people in Tiandeng County, Chongzuo City, #Guangxi will hold the First Frost #Festival(霜降节) to celebrate the harvest. #travelguide 
💃Dalang dance : It was originally an imitation of farming movements, and has gradually evolved into a folk dance used for vows, sacrifices, entertainment and other activities. Today, it has developed into the most unique ancient dance of the ethnic Zhuang people.
🛷Ethnic #sports competition: they will divide the participaents into youth and adult groups to carry out the ethnic sports competition of First Frost Festival.
👯In the evening, there is a festival gala with singing and dancing performances of the ethnic Zhuang people.
There will be a poetry and photography competition the following week, so come and experience the ethnic Zhuang festivities!

shuāng jiàng
霜降
Frost Descent

from Discover Guangxi China on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverGuangxi/posts/pfbid02dK3TCjWqwXnq6RWv52WVTNvkF95vYjqSuK3DTRE1JL8SNoKswshN2TaRAvsHEnS2l

 

 

[Randy W]

直播预告：February 4th sees the arrival of the first of this year’s traditional Chinese solar terms (节气 jié qì), named Lichun (立春), or the “Beginning of Spring.” Join today's discussion on how the Chinese people celebrate it on Learn Chinese Facebook page at 3:30 PM BJT (GMT+8) on February 3rd.

from Learn Chinese on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/posts/pfbid02LYuv5oVucVuNYh5EtxHQ1xzofCtAWPLVdyg846XK97QtFhpCiwDNVC9yoCWgYWrCl

 

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Today's rainy season Jīn rì G ì y ǔ

The Rain of Cereals. Grain Rain.

#二十四节气 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟒 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬

April 20 marks the Cereal Rain, or Guyu in Chinese, the sixth of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. This day falls between late spring and early summer, signaling an increase in rainfall and the end of brutal temperature drops.

As its name suggests, Cereal Rain brings warm weather and frequent rain, which are the best conditions for grain crops to grow. Farmers use this opportunity to cultivate farmland as rainwater will provide abundant irrigation to grain crops.

The rainy season of cereal is also important for the peony. Known as the "Queen of Flowers," the peony has been a favorite of Chinese since ancient times. During this period all over China, peonies successively enter their most beautiful period. Cities such as Luoyang in Henan Province (central China) and Heze in Shandong Province (east China) hold peony fairs annually to offer visual feasts to visitors.

During the Cereal Rain season, Chinese cedar leaves are popular seasonal vegetables in northern China. This vegetable is nutritious and thought to be beneficial for the immune system. People often fry it with eggs for the best flavor.

At this time, it is also a tradition for fishermen in China to hold a worship of the sea on the Day of Raining Grains to pray for safe navigation and a bountiful harvest of fish. On this day local villagers played drum and gong and burst off fireworks by the sea as part of the celebrations.

from Asso Yi Fang Besançon 一方法国 华夏文化社 on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/asso.yifang/posts/pfbid02axxay4pWSgVFVMXtSLkjGPpfHtJUaNtPBgfkBtise5fn8b9BxxYW3hs6mg2GLVcml

 

 

 

 

[Randy W]

Grain Buds (Xiaoman) is the eighth of the 24 solar terms, also the second one in summer. It falls between May 20 and May 22 in the Gregorian Calendar. During this period, the seeds of summer crops such as wheat are almost full but not mature enough, hence the name Xiaoman (almost full).

from China Everything💯: Culture文化/Travel旅游/中文/Food美食/Panda🐼 on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chineseculturelab/posts/574589218057808/

from China Pictorial on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaPic/posts/pfbid028rESJhsZNrpjzWK7KezNRH1ipNpadrTUSiRkkQKz3mw58nLc1eh5H4vwk68jc5NSl

 

Edited May 21, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

☀️ Today's summer solstice jīn rì xià zhì ☀️
🍉 The summer solstice. The summer solstice 🍉
🏮#二十四节气 The 24 traditional Chinese solar terms 🏮
June 21 marks the Xiazhi, or summer solstice, the 10th solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar. It starts when the Northern Hemisphere gets the most hours of sunshine all year. According to tradition, on this occasion, the Chinese give fans as gifts, eat noodles and enjoy lychees.
During the summer solstice days, people give themselves colorful fans and bags, as they are pleasant and delicate gifts to bring a cool breeze and relieve the summer heat.
During the summer solstice, a bowl of noodles is a must. People cool boiling noodles in cold water and mix them with various sauces and vegetables, which are appetizing and refreshing during hot summer days.
Lychees appear in Chinese markets around the summer solstice. This fruit with juicy pulp and sweet flavor was once loved by Yang Yuhuan, the favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty (618-907). This imperial tribute is now a summer delicacy for ordinary Chinese families and a major source of income for farmers in South China.
Thunderstorms are frequent during the Summer Solstice. In southern China, plum rains are still dominant with occasional storms. The Chinese think it poetic to listen to the rhyme of the falling rain during this time.

from Asso Yi Fang Besançon 一方法国 华夏文化社 on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/asso.yifang/posts/pfbid026eFnVpYpkcWgpMZZqQpuqRndKRFfw1Qe3MQaHJz2YMcdMroaAE1A4pRGCUZkdWAYl

 

 

 

[Randy W]

On 10/23/2022 at 3:19 PM, Randy W said:

Today is the First Frost(霜降) in the traditional #Chinesesolarterm. On the day of the First Frost, the rice fields have already turned yellow, the ethnic Zhuang people in Tiandeng County, Chongzuo City, #Guangxi will hold the First Frost #Festival(霜降节) to celebrate the harvest. #travelguide 
💃Dalang dance : It was originally an imitation of farming movements, and has gradually evolved into a folk dance used for vows, sacrifices, entertainment and other activities. Today, it has developed into the most unique ancient dance of the ethnic Zhuang people.
🛷Ethnic #sports competition: they will divide the participaents into youth and adult groups to carry out the ethnic sports competition of First Frost Festival.
👯In the evening, there is a festival gala with singing and dancing performances of the ethnic Zhuang people.
There will be a poetry and photography competition the following week, so come and experience the ethnic Zhuang festivities!

shuāng jiàng
霜降
Frost Descent

from Discover Guangxi China on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverGuangxi/posts/pfbid02dK3TCjWqwXnq6RWv52WVTNvkF95vYjqSuK3DTRE1JL8SNoKswshN2TaRAvsHEnS2l

 

 

White Jelly is the last solar term of autumn; during this period, weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins to appear.

Here are five things to know about White Jelly.

The frosty autumn

Ice consists of ice crystals formed by water vapor frozen near the ground. During White Jelly the frost begins to appear. But in the lower parts of the Yellow River region, frost is first appearing in late October or early November. With the arrival of White Jelly, a late-autumn vibe sweeps the world.

Eating plate mines

Eating plaquemines, or khaki, during White Jelly could help people resist the cold and protect their bones. In the countryside, people believe that their lips will crack if they don't eat plaquemines during this time.

Eating duck

In southern Fujian province and Taiwan, there is a custom of eating duck on the first day of the White Jelly. A Fujian proverb says: "Even feeding it all year round is not worth feeding the human body on the first day of the White Jelly." Eating duck is a way for people to gain weight.

Eating some chestnuts

Eating chestnuts during White Jelly is healthy. Chestnuts have a warm nature and a sweet flavor, and they are both good for nourishing the lice and stomach, invigorating blood circulation, relieving cough, and reducing expectations.

White Jelly Party

Residents of regions such as Daxin County, Guangxi's Zhuang Autonomous Region, celebrate the first day of the White Jelly. During the White Jelly Festival, the Zhuang people offer sacrifices, dance and sing folk songs.

from Asso Yi Fang Besançon 一方法国 华夏文化社 on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/asso.yifang/posts/pfbid02MbEgsCKPZQiCiRKw9xAEXTYrYqiJn43AEvjYRSBDZd33UxTMsq8KLFTQwekxvdZHl

Edited October 26, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)