Water lilies are seen in the rain at a park in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 21, 2016. Tuesday marks the summer solstice, the 10th solar term. (Photo/Xinhua)
Grain in Ear, (Chinese: 芒種) is the 9th solar term. The arrival of Grain in Ear signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers.
The solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. The culture remains useful today to guide people's lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and healthy living tips that correspond with each term.
Summer Solstice, (Chinese: 夏至) is the 10th solar term of the year. At this time, much of the northern hemisphere receives the most hours of daylight, but it does not bring the hottest temperatures which will come only 20 to 30 days later.
