芒种
The Chinese name literally seems to mean something different. The first character refers to the awns or aristas of grain plants, those stiff whiskers that grow from the seed heads of plants like wheat; the second means something similar to cultivation. of course, "awn" could stand for the full ear.
In general, though, the seems to refer to the time when the ears of wheat are developing and maturing. It is change that happens rapidly at this time of the year, and, seen from a distance, in the space of a week or two really changes the texture of a wheat field. The color of the plant changes too. Wheat is a saturated green earlier in the spring, but during June it turns first a paler green, then yellow.
June was my favorite month when I was a kid. It is a beautiful time of clear days, with low humidity and warm, but not hot, temperatures. Strawberries used to ripen at this time (now they come from other climes, and are available year round). The small, aromatic wild strawberries used to ripen first, followed by the larger domesticated species. Nowadays, it is unusual to eat a truly fragrant strawberry. This is one of the things I regret most.
In general, though, the seems to refer to the time when the ears of wheat are developing and maturing. It is change that happens rapidly at this time of the year, and, seen from a distance, in the space of a week or two really changes the texture of a wheat field. The color of the plant changes too. Wheat is a saturated green earlier in the spring, but during June it turns first a paler green, then yellow.
June was my favorite month when I was a kid. It is a beautiful time of clear days, with low humidity and warm, but not hot, temperatures. Strawberries used to ripen at this time (now they come from other climes, and are available year round). The small, aromatic wild strawberries used to ripen first, followed by the larger domesticated species. Nowadays, it is unusual to eat a truly fragrant strawberry. This is one of the things I regret most.
