Awakening of insects, anciently known as "Qizhe," is the third solar term in the 24-term solar calendar and marks the beginning of the Mao month in the lunar calendar. It occurs between March 5 and 6 in the Gregorian calendar when the sun reaches a longitude of 345°. As stated in the *Collected Explanations of the 72 Phases of the Monthly Order*: "On this day of the second month... all things emerge from the shock of thunder, hence the name Jingzhe, meaning the awakening of hibernating creatures.
The time for the awakening of insects is between March 5th and 6th in the Gregorian calendar, which is correct. Someone used to say 'the time point is around the first day of the second lunar month every year', but this is not correct. The lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar have significant differences in dates.
At this time, the weather warms up and there are gradually spring thunder. Animals hide in the soil during winter, not drinking or eating, which is called "sting". "Awakening of insects" refers to the day when the heavens wake up dormant animals with thunder. At this time, most parts of China enter the spring plowing season.
