Jingzhe 驚蟄, the third solar term, means the awakening of the hibernating insects. Jingzhe
marks the starting of warmer weather accompanied by rain and thunder. In
ancient China, the farmers would start to prepare the farmland to begin their
year long agriculture activities.
Whatever living things that are hibernating underground, if they do not wake up by the warmer weather, rain and thunder, they will ultimately be wakened up by farmer ploughing the field.
In Southern China especially the Guangdong Pear River delta region and Hong Kong, Jingzhe is the day to pacify the 'white tiger' 祭白虎 using a piece of raw pork and to beat the 'villians' 打小人 with a shoe.
After performing these rituals, there will be a year of smooth sailing, peace and good luck.
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