芒种 Mángzhòng
Grain in Ear
In 2026: 5 June 2026 to 21 June 2026 (Beijing time)
“Grain in ear”: the bearded grains are harvested and the next crop sown. One of the busiest weeks in the farming year.
- Sun’s longitude
- 75°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 午month
- Season
- Summer
- Five Phase
- 火Fire
The three pentads
Each term is divided into three five-day pentads, named for what the ancients saw happen in nature.
- First pentad螳螂生Mantises hatch
- Second pentad鵙始鸣Shrikes begin to call
- Third pentad反舌无声The mockingbird falls silent
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Breathe slowly in the shade; stand in zhan zhuang for a few minutes before the heat rises.
- Warm tea and diet
- Plenty of water and light soups; sour-sweet tastes such as smoked plum to ease thirst.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- A busy season: pace the work and keep a short rest at midday.
Traditional guidance, not medical advice. The terms follow the seasons of central China.
In the Book of Changes
Each month has a sovereign hexagram (消息卦) that shows how far yin or yang has grown. For the 午 month it is 姤, Coming to Meet.