文化趣谈｜今日“小满”，英语怎么说？
″四月中，小满者，物致于此小得盈满。″
——《月令七十二候集解》
古人讲究对仗之美，二十四节气中，有小暑则有大暑，有小雪和大雪，有小寒对大寒，但却有着一个特例——小满。
The ancient Chinese valued the beauty of symmetry. Among the twenty-four solar terms, there is "Minor Heat" versus "Major Heat", "Minor Snow" versus "Major Snow", and "Minor Cold" versus "Greater Cold". However, there is one exception - Grain Buds (Xiaoman, literally meaning "little full").
“小满”是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第八个节气，也是夏季的第二个节气，小满于每年公历5月20至22日交节。
（图源：视觉中国）
小满的名字反映了两种自然现象。在我国北方地区，它指的是小麦等夏熟作物籽粒开始变得饱满、但还未成熟的状态；而在南方，则有着“小满小满，江河渐满”的俗语，这个时节随着降水增多，河流的水位线也升高，显得丰沛充盈。
In the northern regions of China, it denotes the stage when the grains of wheat, along with other crops harvested in the summer, are beginning to plump up but are not yet ripe. In the southern regions, it refers to rising water levels. As rainfall intensifies and the water levels of rivers and streams rise, it seems that rivers are becoming a little full.
满而不盈，满而不溢。在中国传统哲学思想中，这也象征了一种理想的人生状态，充实得刚刚好，不骄不躁、不卑不亢，代表着节制守度的美德。
古人总结小满三候为：“一候苦菜秀，二候靡草死，三候麦秋至。”苦菜繁茂，靡草枯萎，小麦成熟，这是个有收获也有衰败的时节，大自然也彰显着盛极而衰、衰极而盛的平衡。
让我们看看在小满节气我们能做些什么呢～
During the Grain Buds period, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, "A heavy rainfall makes the river full". Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which makes fish and shrimp big and fat. This is a good time to eat fish and shrimp. It is also harvest season for fishermen.
在小满期，夏收即将开始。有句关于这段时节的雨的俗语 “小满大满江河满”，由于降雨量的大量增加，河流水位上升，使得鱼和虾又大又肥。正是吃鱼虾的好季节。同样也是渔民收获的季节。
A Chinese farmer proverb says, "Mulberries become black during the Grain Buds period". Thus it is a good season to eat mulberries.
中国有一句农谚：“小满桑葚黑”，因此，这是一个吃桑葚的好季节。
High temperatures and humidity are common during the Grain Buds period. The increase in temperature over this season may also give rise to nettle rash, rheumatism, sweat spots, eczema and other skin diseases.
高温、高湿是小满时节常见的现象。这个季节由于温度升高也可能导致荨麻疹、风湿、汗斑、湿疹和其他皮肤病的高发。
It is also important to exercise to keep healthy during the hot summer days. Walking, jogging and practicing tai chi are popular.
虽然夏天炎热，但锻炼身体以保持健康也很重要。可以适当进行轻运动，散步、慢跑和打太极都是很不错的选择！
This time is a good period for the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high.
这段时间是花卉快速生长的好时期。但与此同时植物的病虫害也达到了历史最高水平。
Flower trimming and clipping is important. And a systematic fertilized water system should be carried out. Flowers need a lot of water and extra care to ensure plants remain healthy. Weeding should be done as they grow quickly and have to be eradicated to keep the soil loose and from competing with flowers for nutrients.
修剪花卉很重要的，最好要建立系统化的施肥水系统，花需要大量的浇灌和额外的照顾，以确保植物保持健康。除草，应该在它们长得快的时候进行，以保持土壤疏松，为了避免与花朵争夺养分，必须将它们清除。
Silkworm rearing is a traditional byproduct for people in regions south of the Yangtze River. During the Grain Buds season, silkworms have cocooned. People begin to cook cocoons and prepare the spinning wheel for reeling silk.
对于长江以南地区的人们来说，养蚕是一种传统的农副产品。在小满节气，蚕结茧，人们开始煮茧并准备纺车纺丝。
People in East China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces regard this season as the birthday of the silkworm deity. Those who engage in the silk industry thank the deity by offering sacrifices and staging performances. They pray to the deity for blessings and a boom season for the silk business.
江浙一带的人们把这个节气看作是蚕神的诞辰。从事丝绸行业的人们，通过献祭和表演来感谢蚕神。他们向神祈福，以保佑丝绸生意兴旺。
