Mangzhong is the ninth of twenty-four solar terms in the Chinese calendar year. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 75 degrees, which usually occurs around 5 June in the Gregorian calendar. The name can be used to refer to the first day, or to the whole period of the solar term, which ends when the sun reaches the longitude of 90 degrees, approximately on 21 June. The solar terms signify important agricultural dates, and Mangzhong marks the period for seed sowing.[1]
Mangzhong has a cognate of Mang chủng, and was recently popularized without historical recognition in Vietnam. It is also known as Bōshu in Japanese and Mangjong in Korean.
In Chinese, Mangzhong means "Grain in Ear." Mang means "grain", but also "busy". It signifies that farmers have to return to the fields and work intensively. "Grain in ear" also means that grains have matured. During this period, awny crops such as wheat ripen. As flowers withered away, communities held ceremonies making sacrifices to the "God of Flowers," showing their gratitude and eagerness to see flowers again the following year. This custom has died out, and can only be read about in ancient texts.[2] Mangzhong is especially important for farmers, heralding a period of intense agricultural activity. A common saying from Guizhou illustrates this urgency: "If you don't plant rice in the grain in the ear, your planting will be in vain." This saying underscores the significance of timely sowing, as Mangzhong represents the peak time for seeding millet and serves as the deadline for various planting tasks.
During the Mangzhong period, areas around the middle stream and downstream of the Yangtze River enter the rainy season. Sensing the moisture, mantis appear, shrike start to sing, and mockingbirds cease chirping.
In China's southern Anhui province, people steam dumplings with new fresh wheat flour after seeding the paddy rice.[3] They make the flour into different shapes such as cereals, animals, vegetables, and fruits, color them, and pray for villagers' safety.
According to traditional Chinese doctors, the best food to eat during the Mangzhong period is mulberry. Around two thousand years ago, the mulberry was considered 'royal food' and was sometimes called the "holy fruit".[4] Silkworms eat mulberry as well.