Grain in Beard (Chinese: 芒种), which refers to the crops mature, is the ninth of the 24 solar terms, and it began this year on June 6 and ended on June 20. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 60° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 75°. Bearded means the seeds mature of the barley, wheat and other crops, thus reminds people it is very urgent to rush for the harvest. Summer-sown crops such as millet will be sown around this term. [Photo by Wang Jin/Palace Museum]