Twenty-Four Solar Terms at the Soup House | Today’s Awakening of Insects: “How can one know spring is so vibrant without stepping into the garden?”

“A shower of rain to coax the blossoms, and a few peals of thunder to awaken the hibernating insects.” At 4:36 a.m. Beijing time on March 6, the solar term Jingzhe will arrive, marking the beginning of mid-spring. At this time, peach blossoms blush and willows turn green, as spring waters begin to rise; the first rumble of spring thunder heralds the awakening of dormant creatures, and the earth once again breathes life, bathed in the gentle glow of the season.
 

With the first thunder, the Awakening of Insects begins.
 

Jingzhe, also known as Qizhe, is the third of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. When the Big Dipper points to the sign Ding and the Sun reaches a celestial longitude of 345°, the solar term begins, typically falling between March 5 and 6 on the Gregorian calendar. Jingzhe marks the emergence of sprouting and growth in plants and animals, driven by the seasonal rhythm. By the time Jingzhe arrives, yang energy rises, temperatures warm, spring thunder rumbles, rainfall increases, and all living things burst forth with vitality.

 

After the Awakening of Insects, faint rumbles of spring thunder begin to stir, and the warm spring breeze carries with it a sense of renewal, infusing everything with vibrant green life. Peach blossoms, cornelian cherries, roses, and, in the third period, windflowers all vie for attention, their petals bursting into brilliant bloom—graceful, delicate, and utterly enchanting.
 

Peach blossoms are the heralds of spring. In the “Taoyao” section of the Book of Songs they are celebrated as “peach trees in full bloom, their flowers ablaze.” In the Jin‑dynasty poet Tao Yuanming’s depiction, the peach grove is a secluded paradise: “hundreds of paces between the banks, with no other trees among them, fragrant grasses fresh and lovely, fallen petals scattered everywhere.” And in the Tang poet Cui Hu’s line, “The face is gone, who knows where; the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze,” one cannot help but feel a trace of regret and a stir of emotion.

Awakening of Insects · Twenty-Four Solar Terms
 

 

The “Compendium of the Seventy-two Seasonal Periods” explains: “In the second month… all things emerge from Zhen; Zhen is thunder, hence the name ‘Jingzhe,’ meaning that hibernating insects are startled into emerging.” To hibernate is for animals to retreat into the earth for winter, neither eating nor drinking; to be startled is for the spring thunder to awaken those that have been dormant.

 

        The warm breeze is spring’s hand, while the Awakening of Insects is spring’s voice.

 

When the thunder of Jingzhe rolls in, you suddenly see clearly: no season wears but a single face, just as no life holds only one possibility.

 

Spring bears the tender grace of fine rain that nourishes the blossoms, as well as the bold vigor of thunderous skies; it whispers softly with heads bowed and eyes lowered, yet it also roars with the earth-shaking fury of a wrathful Vajra.

The Awakening of Insects: Customs
 

The Awakening of Insects begins, and spring plowing is in full swing.

According to Chinese folklore, the White Tiger is the deity of gossip and strife. Each year, on the day of Jingzhe—the Awakening of Insects—it emerges to hunt and harm people; those who offend it are said to encounter petty foes and face all manner of misfortune. Hence the custom of offering sacrifices to the White Tiger on this occasion. Such a ritual involves worshipping a paper effigy of the White Tiger, typically yellow with black stripes and bearing a pair of fangs at its mouth.

 

Cursing the little man to ward off bad luck
 

During the Jingzhe solar term, all kinds of crawling insects and ants stir to life at the sound of thunder, scurrying about in search of food. Accordingly, in ancient times, on the day of Jingzhe, people would hold mugwort and other herbs, fumigating the four corners of their homes to ward off snakes, insects, mosquitoes, rats, and musty odors. Over time, this custom evolved into the practice of those who felt unlucky slapping their perceived adversaries and driving away bad fortune—thus giving rise to what is known as “hitting the little man.”
 

 

Worshiping the Thunder God, beating the drum’s hide.


The “Rites of Zhou” records: “All instances of drumming must occur on the day of Qǐzhé.” It is believed that on this day, the celestial realm sends the Thunder God to strike the heavenly drum, producing the sound of thunder. Accordingly, people take this opportunity to offer sacrifices to the Thunder God and cover the drums with hide, thereby expressing their reverence for nature.

In traditional Chinese culture, it is generally considered inauspicious to eat pears on certain festivals. However, eating pears during the Jingzhe solar term symbolizes separating oneself from pests and keeping illness at bay. From a health‑preserving perspective, as the weather transitions between cold and warm with fluctuating temperatures, the climate tends to be rather dry, which can easily lead to dry mouth and throat. Consuming pears helps nourish yin, clear heat, moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, and strengthen the body.

 

Spring Equinox Health Preservation
 

After the Awakening of Insects, spring warms and flowers bloom—this is the season when viruses and bacteria are most active, so extra care should be taken to prevent influenza and other infectious diseases. With the pandemic still ongoing, remember to wear a mask and take proper protective measures when you go out.
 

 

Mentally, as the weather during this season often fluctuates, people’s emotions can easily become unstable, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite. It is important to take precautions against “spring depression.”
 

 

In terms of daily living, one should go to bed early and rise early, take leisurely walks, engage in gentle, low‑impact exercises, and maintain smooth circulation of qi and blood while cultivating a cheerful state of mind.
 

 

In terms of diet, it’s important to protect the liver by eating more light, wholesome foods rich in plant-based protein and vitamins; spinach is one of the best vegetables for supporting liver health in spring.

 

 

 

  Among all the solar terms of spring, Jingzhe seems to be rather special. The Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Spring Equinox, Qingming, and Grain Rain—each one gentle and warm. Only “Awakening of Insects” carries the awe‑inspiring force of a thunderclap, resounding with mighty vigor and rousing all things in heaven and on earth.
 

It is so high-profile, With the first rumble of spring thunder, we herald the end of winter; with the tender sprouting of grass and trees, we thaw the frozen earth stretching for a thousand miles; with the awakening of hibernating insects, we stir the life that stirs anew; with the warming of the skies, we nurture the vibrant blossoms of spring; and with the first blush of peach blossoms, we announce a landscape awash in fragrant beauty.

Awakening of Insects · Twenty-Four Solar Terms

No one can stop it—spring arrives as scheduled.