As the third solar term in the lunar year, its name alludes to the fact that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities.

作为农历年中的第三个节气，惊蛰的名字暗指冬眠的动物在春雷中苏醒，大地开始恢复生机。此时是春季农业活动的关键时期。

An old Chinese saying goes: "If the first spring thunder crashes before the Awakening of Insects solar term, there will be abnormal weather that year." The Awakening of Insects falls after the end of winter and before the beginning of spring. Wind during this period is an important factor in weather forecasting.

中国有句古话：“未过惊蛰先打雷，四十九天云不开。” 惊蛰往往介于冬末春初之间。惊蛰期间的风也是预测后期天气的一个重要依据。

During this period, most parts of China experience the quickest rise in temperatures, with the average level reaching above 10 degrees Celsius, and there is a marked increase in sunshine, which provides good natural conditions for farming. Old Chinese sayings such as "once the Awakening of Insects comes, spring ploughing never rests" reveal the importance of this term to farmers.

惊蛰期间，中国的大部分地区经历着最快速的升温，平均温度超过10摄氏度，日照明显增强，这为农耕创造了良好的自然条件。古语云：“过了惊蛰节，春耕不能歇”，讲的就是惊蛰对农民的意义。 

Eating pears around the Awakening of Insects is a widely-practiced custom in China. As the weather gets warmer and the air becomes dry, people tend to feel their mouths are parched and tongues dry, which can cause colds or coughs. A pear is sweet, juicy and cold, moistening the lungs to arrest a cough. 

惊蛰吃梨是一项在中国广为流传的习俗。因为天气转暖，空气变得更加干了，人们感到口干舌燥，这会造成感冒或咳嗽。而梨子甘甜、多汁、清凉，能起到止咳润肺的效果。