驚蟄話民俗：春雷初響大地回春

The word 驚蟄 has the meaning of awakening of hibernated insects. 驚 is startling, and 蟄 is hibernated (insects). The traditional Chinese farming culture said that during Jingzhe, thunderstorms will wake up the hibernated insects, which also means the weather is getting warm.
“驚蟄”意爲“驚醒冬眠的昆蟲”。中國傳統農業文化傳統中，驚蟄期間，雷雨增多，冬眠的蟲類會被驚起，這也意味着天氣會越來越暖。

On March 5 or 6 each year in China, people celebrate the Feast of Excited Insects. This celebration is a sign of the coming spring season, when the insects first awaken from their wintertime slumber. Everyone first notices the insects come forth from the woodpiles, rocks, and any other place where they might live.
在每年的3月5號或6號，中國傳統文化迎來二十四節氣的驚蟄。驚蟄標誌着春天的到來，昆蟲們從都冬眠的狀態初次醒來。驚蟄開始，大家都會第一次注意到昆蟲從柴堆裏、石頭下和其他地方冒出來。

People living in north China have the practice of placing blocks of ice upon dung heaps to stall the insects from ravaging their homes. There is the belief that the Chinese Dragon will call the insects forth to life from their sleep.
驚蟄這一天，住在中國北方的人們習慣把冰塊放在糞堆上，防止昆蟲在家中肆虐。北方人認爲是中國的傳統神獸麒麟將昆蟲從沉睡中喚醒的。

During the spring time, homes may have the symbol of the dragon in the form of a statue, particularly one made of jade, or a painting of a dragon. In addition to being able to move the insects from their sleep, the Dragon also is capable of influencing the waters on earth, which also come to life after being frozen over from the winter time.
在春天，人們會在家裏放上龍的標誌，可能是龍形雕塑（尤其是玉雕的龍），也可能是一幅關於龍的畫。麒麟除了能喚醒沉睡的昆蟲，還能影響地球上的水源，麒麟一聲長吼，江河湖海的水也從冬季的漫長冰封狀態復甦重現生機。

In the southern part of China on the Feast of Excited Insects, women make paper images of the white tiger and display the image in a visible part of the house. The tiger is a symbol of good luck, keeping away noxious creatures at bay such as rats, snakes, and spiders. The white tiger also symbolizes harmony in the home, bringing peace for the spring season and new year ahead.
而在中國南方，婦女們會用紙紮出白虎，擺在家中顯眼的地方。白虎象徵着好運，能夠趕走家中的老鼠、蛇或蝙蝠等討厭的生物。白灰也象徵着家庭和睦，爲春季和新的一年帶來寧靜祥和的氛圍。

China still observe this holiday, especially in agrarian, rural areas that tend to keep closer to the cycles of the seasons. Watching the insects come to life at the start of spring must be exciting, for it allows people to look forward to a prosperous growing season.
中國人還是很重視驚蟄節氣，特別是在以農業生產爲主的農村地區，與節氣週期的關係似乎更爲緊密。初春伊始，看着昆蟲們紛紛活躍起來應該很讓人興奮，因爲這意味着農作物在生長季節又會大獲豐收。