As summer rolls in, China welcomes Grain Buds (Xiaoman) on May 21, the 8th solar term of a year that celebrates nature's sweet spot between "not yet" and "just enough."
For places like Guangdong, Grain Buds means one thing: brace for rain. Locals have a saying, "Grain Buds bring steady rains, filling rivers and canals." Here's what happens: warm, sticky air from the south collides with cooler air, unleashing downpours that soak the land. Farmers keep a nervous eye on the weather; if paddies don't fill with rainwater now, rice planting season could face trouble later.
Guangdong's tables feature bitter gourd during Grain Buds. Cooked in soups or stir-fries, this vegetable reflects the belief that embracing bitterness prepares one for summer's heat and life's challenges.
Unlike other solar terms that come in pairs (like Minor Snow and Major Snow), Grain Buds stands alone. Ancient sages had a reason: they saw "fullness" as risky. Think overflowing cups or overripe fruit; too much of a good thing spells trouble. Grain Buds, by contrast, honors the beauty of "almost": crops plumping but not ripe, rivers rising but not flooding. It’s a nudge to appreciate progress over perfection.
In a world chasing "100%," Grain Buds whispers a different tune: life's richest moments often hide in the in-betweens. So next time you're tempted to wait for "full," pause and savor the sweetness of "less is plenty."
Grain Buds
Ouyang Xiu (Song Dynasty)
The nightingale trills in the green willow shade,
the moon hangs bright in the wide sky.
I love the wheat in the fields where the breeze has played,
their waves laugh loud as wheat ears yield.
Author & Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Wei Shen, Huang Qini, James, Shen He
