24 Solar Terms: Grain Rain

Grain Rain is the last term in spring, after which the temperature sees a quick rise and it rains more often, and such weather is significantly good for the growth of grain.

The Grain Rain (Gu Yu, 谷雨 in Chinese) is the 6th term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms (a supplementary system in the Chinese calendar to guide farm work) and falls on sometime between April 19 and 21, when the sun moves to the celestial longitude of 30 degrees.

The name "Grain Rain" comes from an ancient Chinese saying, "rain helps the growth of grain". Grain Rain is the last term in spring, after which the temperature rises quickly and it rains more often, and such weather is significantly good for the growth of grain.

Traditional Customs

Tea Picking

In southern China, people pick new tea leaves on the day. The tea picked during the period of Grain Rain is named as Grain Rain Tea (谷雨茶), or mid-spring tea (二春茶), noted for its freshness and richness in taste.

Flowers Appreciation

Days around the Grain Rain are the blooming season of the peony, which is therefore called the Grain Rain Flower. Chengdu boasts a number of famous spots for peony appreciation.

Eating Toon Sprouts

People in many parts of China have the custom of eating the toon sprouts (Toona Sinensis, 香椿 in Chinese), which taste good when cooked with other foods and have effects to regulates human endocrine functions.

24 Solar Terms: Start of Spring

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Spring (Chinese: 立春 Li Chun ), the first solar term of the year, begins this year on Feb 4 and ends on Feb 18.

Feb 04, 2020

24 Solar Terms: Rain Water

Falling on February 19 this year, Rain Water is the time when temperatures begin to rise and rain becomes more frequent.

Feb 19, 2020

24 Solar Terms: Awakening of Insects

Welcome to the Jing Zhe Term, or the term of “Awakening of Insects”, which signals the rise in temperature and increased rainfall. The term falls on March 5 and ends on March 19 this year.

Mar 05, 2020

24 Solar Terms: Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox (Chun Fen, “春分” in Chinese) , the 4th term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, falls on March 20 this year.

Mar 21, 2020

24 Solar Terms: Tomb-sweeping Day

The Tomb-sweeping Day (also known as the Qingming Festival) is a traditional Chinese festival when people go to pay homage to their ancestors.