谷雨 Grain Rain
(Photo/Weibo account@人民日报)
谷雨
Guyu/Grain Rain
今日（4月20日），迎来二十四节气的第六个节气，也是春季最后一个节气——谷雨。谷雨于每年的4月20日前后来临。
Guyu, or Grain Rain, is the sixth solar term according to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, making it the last term of spring. The term usually arrives around April 19-21. This year, it falls on April 20.
(Photo/Weibo account@人民日报)
古有“雨生百谷”这一说法，谷雨节气的到来，意味着寒潮天气基本结束，气温回升加快，是万物生长的大好时机。
The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. It originates from the old saying, "Rain brings the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is crucial for crops. Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and precipitation. It's an important time to protect plants from insects and other pests.
特色饮食
Special Diet
饮茶
Drinking tea
(Photo/Xinhua)
“正好清明连谷雨，一杯香茗坐其间”，南方谷雨有摘茶习俗，传说谷雨这天的茶喝了会清火，辟邪，明目等。所以不管这天是什么天气，人们都会去茶山摘一些新茶回来喝。
In southern China, people traditionally 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. Drinking tea on this day is also said to prevent bad luck.
吃香椿
Eating Chinese toon
(Photo/Weibo account@-啾啾啾-)
北方有谷雨食香椿的习俗，谷雨前后是香椿上市的时节，这时的香椿醇香爽口营养价值高，有“雨前香椿嫩如丝”之说。香椿具有提高机体免疫力，健胃理气之功效。
People in northern China traditionally eat Chinese toon, a leafy vegetable native to eastern and southeastern Asia, during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "Chinese toon 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.
民间习俗
Customs
渔家流行谷雨祭海
Offering sacrifices to the god of the ocean
谷雨时节正是春海水暖之时，百鱼行至浅海地带，是下海捕鱼的好日子，为了能够出海平安，满载而归，谷雨这天，渔民要举行海祭，祈祷海神保护。
The Grain Rain festival is celebrated in fishing villages across 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, when people believed they owed a good yield to the gods, who protected them from stormy seas. People would worship the sea and make sacrifices during the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and the safe return of loved ones.
赏花
Appreciating the peony
(Photo/Xinhua)
谷雨前后也是牡丹花开的重要时间，因此牡丹花也被称为“谷雨花”。如今，赏牡丹已成为人民闲暇重要的娱乐活动，在山东、河南和四川等地，还于谷雨时间举行赏花节，供人们游乐聚会。
Guyu also sees the bloom of the peony, which is known as the "Queen of All Flowers" in Chinese culture. As a result, many people go out to admire the local peonies. In Shandong, Henan and Sichuan, there are even festivals to appreciate the beauty of the peony when Guyu falls.
禁杀五毒
Dislodging the five poisonous creatures
(Photo/Xinhua)
谷雨以后气温升高，病虫进入高繁衍期，为了减轻病虫害对作物及其人的伤害，农家会张贴谷雨帖，进行驱凶纳吉的祈祷。
As the temperature gets warmer after Grain Rain, worms and insects awaken from their winter slumber and begin to breed. At this time of year, farmers need to take measures to protect their crops and themselves. One custom is to prepare Grain Rain posts and pray to the Chinese gods for a good harvest.
谷雨帖，属于年画的一种，上面刻绘神鸡捉蝎或天师除五毒的形象，寄托人们查杀害虫，祈盼丰收的心理。The Grain Rain post is a typical Chinese New Year picture. In the middle of the picture, there is a rooster with a scorpion under its claw, or an image of "Tianshi" dislodging five poisonous creatures (scorpion, viper, centipede, house lizard and toad). The posts reflect the ancient Chinese desire to remove harmful animals from their surroundings and pray for a good harvest.
原创： PD Online PeopleDaily
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