The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain(谷雨), as the last term in spring, starts on April 20th this year.
Grain Rain comes from the old saying, "Rain brings the growth of hundreds of grains", which shows that this period of rainfall is very important for the growth of crops. Here's something that you may not know about Grain Rain.
| 1）_______________ Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil and heavy winds, sandstorms may happen more often. | 2）_______________ There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is good for eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck. |
| 3）_______________ 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 (嫩如丝)" The vegetable is good for the stomach and skin. | 4）_______________ The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villagers in northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen's first voyage of the year. The custom dates back to more than 2,000 years ago |
