Guyu is the 6th solar term of the 24 solar terms and the last solar term of spring. Dou Zhichen; The solar longitude is 30 °; It is celebrated from April 19th to 21st in the Gregorian calendar every year. Grain rain comes from the meaning of "rain produces a hundred grains". At this time, precipitation increases significantly, and the seedlings and new crops in the field need the most nourishment from rainwater. Adequate and timely rainfall enables cereal crops to grow vigorously. Grain rain, like rain, light rain, light snow, heavy snow, and other solar terms, are all solar terms that reflect precipitation phenomena and are a reflection of ancient agricultural culture on festivals.
During the Grain Rain season, in southern China, there is often a noticeable increase in rainfall, especially in southern China. Once cold air meets warm and humid air, it often leads to prolonged periods of rainy weather. The Qinling Huaihe River is a transitional area between the spring rain in the south and the spring drought in the north. From the vicinity of the Qinling Huaihe River to the north, the spring rain decreases sharply. In northern regions, Grain Rain is a symbol of "final frost".
The continuous spring rain is the main characteristic of valley rain. The name "Guyu" comes from the ancient saying "Rain produces a hundred grains", reflecting the agricultural and climatic significance of the solar term. Folk customs during the Grain Rain solar term include picking Grain Rain tea, walking Grain Rain, worshiping the sea, eating spring, and admiring flowers.
historical origin
The 24 solar terms are specific festivals in the calendar that represent changes in natural rhythms. At the age of one and four, there are three months each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with two solar terms per month, each with its own unique meaning. Guyu "is the last solar term of spring, which means" rain produces a hundred grains ". In traditional agricultural culture, the Grain Rain solar term links "grain" and "rain" to indicate precipitation conditions and "rain generates a hundred grains". The main characteristic of Guyu is the continuous spring rain, which produces hundreds of grains, reflecting the agricultural climate significance of "Guyu". It is a reflection of ancient agricultural culture on festivals. After the Grain Rain solar term, the temperature rises, the rainfall increases, and the humidity in the air further increases, making it extremely suitable for the growth of cereal crops, which is the best season for crop growth.
In the "Tong Wei · Xiao Jing Yuan Shen Qi", it is said: "On the fifteenth day after Qingming Festival, Dou Zhi Chen, it is called Gu Yu. In the middle of March, it is said that the rain produces a hundred pure and clear grains." The "Qun Fang Pu" also records: "Gu Yu, the grains are born from the rain." Before and after Gu Yu, the weather is warmer and the rainfall increases, which is conducive to the sowing and growth of spring crops. In the "Collection and Explanation of the Seventy Two Seasons of the Moon", it is recorded: "In the middle of March, after the rain, the soil and paste pulsate, and now it rains again in the valley. The rain is pronounced as the sound of fading, like the rain in my public field. Planting seeds at this time is also done from top to bottom." At this time, the weather is mild and the rainfall increases significantly, which is closely related to the growth and development of cereal crops. The name of the "Guyu" solar term comes from "Rain generates a hundred grains", which is a reflection of ancient agricultural culture on the festival.
Folk customs
Drinking Guyu tea: Guyu has a tradition of drinking tea. Guyu tea, also known as pre rain tea, is a spring tea harvested during the Guyu season, also known as Erchun tea. [32] Guyu tea is made from fresh tea leaves harvested on Guyu's day, and it is harvested in the morning. Guyu tea has a bright green color, soft leaves, rich in various vitamins and amino acids, and a pleasant aroma. Legend has it that drinking tea on this day of Guyu can clear fire, ward off evil, and improve eyesight. So on this day of Guyu, no matter what the weather is, people will go to the tea mountain to pick some new tea and come back to drink.
Appreciating peonies: "Looking at peonies during the three seasons of Grain Rain". Peonies are known as Grain Rain Flowers and Wealthy Flowers. Appreciating peonies during the Grain Rain season has lasted for thousands of years. The Qing Dynasty's Gu Lu's "Qing Jia Lu" states: "Merchants build shrines and pavilions, and the flower scene in Guyu is new. Do not believe that meeting without national colors, the brocade shed only protects the jade tower in spring." To this day, both Heze in Shandong and Luoyang in Henan hold peony flower festivals during the Guyu season for people to enjoy and play.
Sacrificing Cangjie: Sacrificing Huangdi during Qingming Festival and sacrificing Cangjie during Guyu Festival are folk traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years since the Han Dynasty. According to the Huainanzi, the Yellow Emperor issued a decree in late spring and early summer announcing the successful creation of characters by Cangjie, and a rain of millet fell throughout the country that day. After Cangjie's death, people buried him in his hometown - the north of Shiguan Town in Baishui County. A couplet was carved on the tomb gate: "Rain and Su were grateful to Emperor Tian in the past, and together with Wen, they will forever accompany the Bridge Tomb." Every year, the "Cangjie Temple Fair" is held as scheduled in Baishui County, Shaanxi Province.
Eating Spring ": Before and after the Grain Rain, the fragrant and refreshing Chinese toon has high nutritional value, hence the saying" Before the Rain, the Chinese toon is tender as silk ". People call picking and eating Chinese toon in spring "eating spring". Chinese toon is generally divided into purple toon buds and green toon buds, with purple toon buds being the best. Fresh Chinese toon sprouts are rich in protein, carotenoids, and a large amount of vitamin C. Their leaves, sprouts, roots, skins, and fruits can all be used as medicine, with various effects such as strengthening the stomach, regulating qi, stopping diarrhea, and moisturizing.
Gu Yu Tie: Gu Yu Tie prohibits the killing of the five toxins. After Gu Yu, as temperatures rise and pests and diseases enter a high reproductive period, in order to reduce the damage to crops and people caused by pests and diseases, farmers enter the fields to kill insects while posting Gu Yu Tie to pray for good luck and good fortune. This custom is very popular in Shandong, Shanxi, and Shaanxi regions. In the sixth year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the "Xiajin County Annals" recorded: "During the Grain Rain, cinnabar inscriptions prohibited scorpions." The folk custom of "prohibiting scorpions" reflects people's desire to drive away pests and to have a safe harvest.
Gu Yu Tie, a type of New Year painting, is engraved with images of a divine chicken catching scorpions, a celestial master removing the five poisons, or Taoist talismans. Some are accompanied by text descriptions such as "The old emperor is like a law, and in the third month of Gu Yu, snakes and scorpions will never be born" and "In the third month of Gu Yu, the old emperor goes down to the sky, holding a seven star sword, and slaying scorpion essence alone", expressing people's desire to hunt down pests, hope for a bountiful harvest, and peace.
Agricultural activities
The 24 solar terms accurately reflect the changes in natural rhythms and play an important role in people's daily lives. In ancient China, agricultural irrigation relied on precipitation from the sky and rivers on the ground. Farming was mainly concentrated in areas with abundant precipitation and developed river water networks; Farmers in these areas often engage in agricultural production according to the solar terms. Gu Yu connects grains with rain, implying the meaning of "rain generates a hundred grains", reflecting the agricultural and climatic significance of "Gu Yu". As the saying goes, 'Spring rain is as precious as oil', and 'Grain rain' means' rain produces a hundred grains'. At this time, the precipitation increases and the temperature rises rapidly. The seedlings in the field are newly planted, and some crops are also newly sown. They can only grow strong under the nourishment of rainwater.
In the "Collection and Explanation of the Seventy Two Seasons of the Moon" compiled by the literati Wu Cheng in the Yuan Dynasty, it is recorded: "In the middle of March, after the rain, the soil and paste pulsate, and now it rains again in the valley. Rain is pronounced as the sound of silence, like the rain in our public fields. Planting seeds at this time is also done from top to bottom." Grain rain is a solar term that reflects the phenomenon of precipitation. After the Grain rain solar term, the weather is warmer, the rainfall increases, and the humidity in the air gradually increases, which is very suitable for the growth of cereal crops. The Grain Rain season is also the heading and flowering period for winter wheat, a winter crop, and the seedling stage for spring crops such as corn and cotton. These crops require abundant rainfall to promote their development and growth.