Things you might not know about Grain Rain

The 6th solar term of the year is Grain Rain (谷雨, gǔ yǔ), which falls on April 19 this year. It is also the last solar term in spring. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. 

谷雨（2016年4月19日）是第六个节气，也是春天的最后一个节气。谷雨后，寒冷天气结束，气温回升加快。

Here are some things you should know about Grain Rain.

以下是一些谷雨的传统。

Important time for agriculture 农事的关键期

Grain Rain originates from the old saying, "Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall. It's a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.

谷雨源自古人“雨生百谷”之说，表明这个时期的雨水对庄稼的成长至关重要。谷雨前后，降水量增加，气温上升，是预防庄稼害虫的关键时期。

Drinking tea 饮茶

There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.

南方人有个古老的传统：在谷雨当天饮茶的习俗。谷雨期间的春茶富含维他命和氨基酸，帮助人体散热，有助明目。也传谷雨当天喝茶能避灾。 

Sandstorms occur 沙尘暴

Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.

谷雨发生在春末夏初。四月底至五月初，由于气温大幅回升，土壤干燥、大气层不稳定、大风等因素，沙尘暴频繁发生。

Eating toona sinensis 吃香椿

People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk". The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. It is also good for the stomach and skin.

北方人有在谷雨吃香椿的习俗，有“雨前香椿嫩如丝”之说。香椿营养丰富，能提高机体免疫力、健胃、润肤。

Grain Rain Festival 谷雨节

The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones.

北方沿海地区的渔村会庆祝谷雨节。谷雨后，渔民开始扬帆，出海捕鱼。过谷雨节已有二千多年的历史。由于谷雨这天，北方沿海的渔民祈求海神保佑，出海平安，鱼虾丰收。

The article is translated and editted by Chinlingo. Please indicate the source (info.chinlingo.com) for any use, reproduction or transfer. 

本文由Chinlingo编译后发布，如需转载，请标明来源：info.chinlingo.com.