The winter solstice is approaching, and the elderly in rural areas often say that "the winter solstice is now three signs, and graves are everywhere", which refers to the three abnormal meteorological phenomena that may occur during the winter solstice, and these phenomena have a certain omentic significance for farmers. In an agrarian society, the impact of weather on crop yields cannot be ignored, so farmers have been closely monitoring weather changes in order to better adjust their agricultural production. Let's take a closer look at the meaning and foreshadowing of the "Three Signs of the Winter Solstice".
1. Frost on the winter solstice: "Heavy frost poison day", farmers have always made judgments on the winter weather by observing the frost during the winter solstice. If there is a heavy frost on the day of the winter solstice, it means that the temperature is higher during the day, indicating that the winter will be warmer, also known as "warm winter". However, excessive warmth is not what farmers expect, as it may cause winter wheat to germinate prematurely, making it less resistant to cold, and once it is hit by a cold wave, winter wheat is susceptible to frost damage, which can affect yields. In addition, a winter that is too warm can also facilitate the overwintering and reproduction of pests, making crops more susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, the frost on the winter solstice has important guiding significance for agricultural production in the coming year.
2. Northwest wind blowing on the winter solstice: Farmers think that the northwest wind blowing on the day of the winter solstice is an unlucky omen. According to their observations, if there is a continuous cold and dry northwest wind after the winter solstice, then the following spring rainfall will be less, which is prone to drought. This weather phenomenon is known as the "spring drought". The spring drought will adversely affect the growth and development of crops, especially for the regreening of overwintering crops, the filling of wheat, and the emergence of seeds. Adequate rain is essential for the smooth running of agricultural production, so farmers see the winter solstice blowing northwesterly winds as a bad omen.
3. Winter solstice thunder: Winter is a cold and dry season, and thunder is not easy to occur under normal circumstances. However, if there is thunder during the winter solstice, farmers perceive it as an anomaly and is also seen as a bad omen. This phenomenon breaks the rhythm of nature and predicts an unusually cold winter, which may even lead to the death of a large number of crops and livestock. As a result, farmers believe that thunder on the winter solstice will adversely affect agricultural production in the coming year.
To sum up, "the winter solstice is now three signs, and graves are everywhere" is a method formed by farmers based on long-term observation and experience summary of winter weather and crop yield in the coming year. Although advances in modern agricultural technology have made us more resilient to the effects of bad weather, these agricultural proverbs still have some instructive implications. The experience of farmers reminds us to pay more attention to the changes in the weather and take timely measures to protect the crops in order to achieve the goal of a bumper harvest.
Conclusion: On the day of the winter solstice, farmers not only celebrate the return of the sun, but also observe and improve the future weather and crop yields in a special way. Although we modern people no longer rely entirely on the weather to live, we should still respect and learn from the wisdom and experience of farmers, and strengthen the observation and study of meteorology, so as to protect and promote the development of agriculture.