MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Awakening of Insects

One spring thunder and the creatures stir

Introduction

Spring thunder wakes the hibernating insects and ploughing begins

Awakening of Insects is the third solar term, beginning when the sun reaches 345° of ecliptic longitude, around 5–7 March; its old name was qizhe. Spring thunder begins and hibernating creatures are roused. Its three pentads are peach trees beginning to blossom, orioles singing, and hawks turning into turtledoves. The term signals the start of spring ploughing, with watch kept for spring drought and pests; customs include stretching new drum skins for the thunder god and eating pears.

Timeline

Western Han to present
139 BCE · OriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to jia: thunder startles the hibernators', the earliest systematic attestation of Awakening of Insects.104 BCE · EvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Awakening of Insects became a fixed term in it.85 · EvolutionThe Eastern Han Sifen calendar of 85 CE restored the order Rain Water then Awakening of Insects (the Western Han Santong system had placed Awakening of Insects first); this order is still used.
  1. 139 BCEOriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to jia: thunder startles the hibernators', the earliest systematic attestation of Awakening of Insects.
  2. 104 BCEEvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Awakening of Insects became a fixed term in it.
  3. 85EvolutionThe Eastern Han Sifen calendar of 85 CE restored the order Rain Water then Awakening of Insects (the Western Han Santong system had placed Awakening of Insects first); this order is still used.

Heritage Listings

  1. 2006National List of Representative Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage1st batch · X-68 Twenty-Four Solar Terms of the Lunar Calendar · nominated by the China Agricultural Museum · collective item
  2. 2016UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of HumanityThe Twenty-Four Solar Terms · knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun's annual motion · collective inscription