In traditional China, the solar term Awakening of Insects (roughly March 5 – March 20) marks the time to plant beans. Unlike many crops that deplete the soil, beans do not strip the earth of its nutrients; instead, they enrich it. Planting beans is akin to “nourishing the body” of the earth before the primary grain cultivation begins.
Furthermore, beans provide a rich variety of plant-based proteins, yielding staples such as tofu, dried bean curd, bean skin, and soy milk. Because bean cultivation benefits the land rather than harming it, it stands in stark contrast to livestock grazing, where cattle often lead to soil nutrient loss. Even Henry David Thoreau, in his Walden essays, detailed his experience planting beans by Walden Pond; he was clearly a man who deeply understood the laws of nature.
The habit of “eating a hundred herbs” (spring greens) in springtime is not exclusive to the East. In the Black Forest region of Germany, people still maintain a custom of gathering nine types of green wild vegetables—such as wild radish, mint, and watercress. They believe that consuming these greens can ward off evil. This ancient tradition eventually merged with Catholic customs to become a ritualistic spring folk activity.
Similarly, Tuscans in Italy have a tradition of foraging for wild greens in the countryside during spring. They mash freshly gathered asparagus, celery, fennel, and fava beans into a paste and enjoy it immediately with fresh-pressed olive oil. I even discovered a “13 Bean Soup” mix by Bob’s Red Mill in an authentic gourmet supermarket in New York; having tried it, I found it truly excellent. Clearly, the wisdom of the solar terms knows no borders!
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Traditional Chinese Taoism holds the philosophy of “Harmony between Man and Nature,” believing that the human body corresponds to the movements of Heaven and Earth. As Lao Tzu once said: “Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows Nature.” If we live in harmony with the four seasons, we are less likely to fall ill. Conversely, going against the natural order puts both the body and mind at risk.
In short: embrace the season and eat more seasonal greens this spring!
By Wei Jane Chir
