Grain Buds, or Xiao Man, is the eighth solar term in the twenty-four solar cycle, typically falling between May 20th and 22nd each year. At this time, the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 60°, temperatures continue to rise, and rainfall increases significantly, marking the season when summer crops like wheat begin to fill with plump but still unripe grains. The term “Xiao Man” literally means “little fullness,” referring to the fact that seeds are gradually becoming full yet have not fully ripened—a critical period before the harvest. In agricultural terms, this is the time when wheat turns yellow and the summer harvest approaches; farmers prepare tools and threshing grounds while guarding against dry hot winds, heavy rains, or lodging. In phenological terms, Xiao Man is characterized by three signs: “the withering of bitter herbs, the dying off of certain soft grasses, and the arrival of the wheat harvest season.” An old farming proverb states, “A light rain during Grain Buds fills the barns with wheat,” underscoring the solar term’s importance for grain yield and final ripening.
Historically, Xiao Man has carried rich folk customs and cultural meanings, especially in China’s Jiangnan region. One of the most iconic traditions is “worshipping the silkworm god,” as silkworms begin to spin cocoons around this time. Women would pray for a successful harvest of silk, offering fruits and wine at the silkworm shrine. Another widespread custom is “eating bitter herbs,” such as wild chicory or dandelion greens, believed to cool the body, dispel summer heat, and invigorate the appetite. In rural areas, “grain bud tasting” events were often held, allowing farmers to sample early grains as a way to forecast the harvest. Additionally, Xiao Man marks a time for repairing and inspecting farming tools, especially sickles and winnowing pans, in preparation for the upcoming wheat harvest. In southern China, this period also sees the beginning of the rainy season, and locals practice “dredging waterways” to prevent waterlogging. These customs, blending agricultural wisdom, dietary therapy, and seasonal rituals, reflect the deep connection between nature’s cycles and human resilience.
By Yuan Ruichen / Zhang Yishuo
