"Spring thunder roars, all things grow"—the Jīngzhé season brings glorious sunny days, rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and gradually warming weather as nature awakens.
Jīngzhé, anciently called "Qǐzhé" (awakening of hibernation), is the third solar term in the lunar calendar, marking the start of mid-spring. Animals dormant in the earth begin to stir.
As temperatures rise rapidly during Jingzhe, pests emerge, prompting people to busy themselves with farmwork. Hence the saying: "When Jingzhe arrives, the hoe never rests."
How did Jingzhe originate?
The Commentary on the Monthly Ordinances and the Seventy-Two Solar Terms explains: "In the second month, all things emerge from the shock of thunder. Thunder is the shock, hence the name 'Awakening of Insects.' It is when hibernating insects are startled awake and emerge."
In essence, "hibernation" means "to hide." When winter arrives, many animals retreat into hiding for hibernation, known as "entering hibernation." When spring returns the following year, they emerge again, called "emerging from hibernation."
As spring returns and thunder grows frequent, ancient people believed animals awoke from hibernation startled by thunderclaps, giving rise to the name "Jingzhe" (Awakening of Insects).
In reality, insects cannot hear thunder. It is the warming earth and rising temperatures that end their hibernation—the true cause of their "startled emergence."
What are the characteristics of Jingzhe?
After Jingzhe, rainfall increases and temperatures fluctuate between cold and warm.
Jingzhe is divided into three periods: "First period: peach blossoms begin to bloom; second period: orioles sing; third period: hawks transform into doves."
This describes the season when peach blossoms turn red, plum blossoms turn white, orioles sing, and swallows arrive. Most parts of the country have already entered the spring plowing season.
What should be done during Jingzhe?
Eat pears during Jingzhe
As temperatures rise noticeably after Jingzhe, people often experience dry mouths, thirst, and external-factor coughs. Pears, with their cool nature and sweet taste, moisturize the lungs, relieve coughs, nourish yin, and clear heat. Eating pears at this time provides significant nourishment for the body.
Sacrificing to the White Tiger to Ward Off Trouble
Folklore holds that the White Tiger is the deity of gossip and discord. It emerges annually on this day to hunt, snapping at those who offend it. Offenders risk facing malicious individuals who will stir up trouble, obstruct their progress, and bring misfortune throughout the year.
To protect themselves, people sacrifice to the White Tiger on this day.The ritual involves worshipping a paper tiger painted with yellow and black stripes, featuring a pair of fangs at the corners of its mouth.
During the ceremony, the tiger is fed pig's blood to satiate it, preventing further verbal attacks. Raw pork is then smeared over its mouth, coating it with grease to seal its lips against gossip.
Covering Drumheads on Jīngzhé Jīngzhé is heralded by thunder. Ancient people envisioned the Thunder God as a winged deity with a bird's beak and human body, wielding a hammer in one hand while striking numerous celestial drums encircling his form to produce the rumbling thunder. On this day, as the Thunder God beats the heavenly drums, people on earth also seize the opportunity to cover drumheads.
Jingzhe calls for "beating the little man" to ward off misfortune
The folk custom of "beating the little man" during Jingzhe symbolizes the start of February. A sudden clap of thunder awakens all hibernating snakes, insects, rodents, and ants, while household crawling creatures stir and begin foraging.
Thus, on this day in ancient times, people would hold incense and mugwort to fumigate the four corners of their homes, using the fragrance to repel snakes, insects, mosquitoes, rodents, and musty odors. Over time, this evolved into the custom of striking paper effigies of rivals to vent frustration and ward off misfortune—the precursor to the modern "beating the little man."
Jingzhe calls for venting inner resentment. Many have mythologized "beating the little man," but it remains purely a folk custom. The purpose lies in striking a paper effigy representing one's adversary to drive away petty villains and plague spirits, thereby releasing pent-up frustration.
Most people engage in this practice hoping for smooth sailing in the new year, with the primary targets being mistresses and workplace rivals.
The goal is to make them back down and to vent personal grievances.