24 Solar Terms: Things you may not know about Rain Water
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Rain Water, or Yushui, is the second of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar, falling on Feb 19 this year. Following the Start of Spring, or Lichun, Rain Water is named after the increase in rainfall around this period of time.

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(Illustration: JIAN Shan; Beijing International Design Week)

With the rise of temperatures to above zero degrees Celsius in most parts of China, Rain Water signals the meteorological arrival of spring. Lively spring-like scenery starts blossoming and creates a poetic and vibrant atmosphere, bringing vigor and new hope to the world.

As the old Chinese saying goes, “Spring rain is as precious as oil.” The right amount of rainfall plays a significant role in the growth of crops, and farmers need to prepare for their New Year’s work when Rain Water falls.

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(Photo: VCG)

People across the nation pray for wellbeing in different ways during Rain Water, and here are some Chinese traditions.

Daughters visit their parents

Married daughters traditionally visit their parents on the first day of Rain Water, which is a popular custom in the western part of China. Along with their husbands, daughters bring two chairs with red ribbons and a pot of stewed pork, or Guanguan pork, as gifts for wishing their parents good health.

Find godfather for children

Some regions in southwest China’s Sichuan Province maintain the old custom of finding a godfather for a child on the first day of Rain Water. Parents search for a father-like person for their children in the crowd with food and wine in hand, hoping that their children can grow healthily and avoid misfortune.

Keep healthy lifestyle

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(Photo: VCG)

As Rain Water comes, Chinese medicine recommends that people should maintain enough intake of vitamins and take good care of the spleen and stomach. Moreover, weather conditions change constantly during this period and winter chill will stay for a while, so it’s advisable to keep your coat on.

(Compiled by Jiao Jingxian)