Rain Water [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
In Chinese tradition, the solar year is divided into 24 terms. Rain Water is the second, beginning this year on February 19 and ending on March 4.
Rain Water marks the period of increasing rainfall and temperatures. With its arrival, the earth awakens from winter slumber, the river ice melts, wild geese migrate north, and plants begin to bloom.
Here are six fascinating facts about Rain Water:
Spring Bamboo Shoots
Rain Water is the season's delight for fresh bamboo shoots. An old saying goes, "To fully experience the flavors of spring, one must partake of its shoots." According to the ancient Book of Songs, Chinese culinary chronicles with bamboo shoots extend back over two millennia.
Spring Bamboo Shoots. [Photo/IC]
Water as Precious as Oil
As an old proverb holds, springtime rain is as valuable as oil. In northern China, spring droughts are common, and the season's rainfall accounts for only 10-15% of the yearly average.
Therefore, the Rain Water period is seen as critical for agriculture, as the weather warms and precipitation increases.
[Photo/IC]
Return of Cold
Despite the warming trend, caution is advised for the "return of cold" that often strikes in late spring during Rain Water. The high humidity from the increased rainfall can bring lower temperatures and dampness. It's wise to delay shedding winter layers for a while, especially for seniors and children.
[Photo/IC]
[Photo/IC]
走婿礼
Visit to in-laws
Son-in-law visiting father-in-law and mother-in-law
One of the main customs during Rain Water is husbands visiting their in-laws and giving gifts. According to the tradition, gifts are usually two cane chairs winded with four meters of red belt, which symbolizes good health and longevity. Another typical gift is a pot of cooked dish that contains pig's knuckles stewed with soya and kelp, by which the son-in-law expresses his respect and gratitude.
雨水节气的一个主要风俗就是女婿拜望岳父岳母并送礼。传统上，礼品通常是两把藤椅，上面缠着一丈二尺长（约四米）的红带，象征健康长寿。还有一个典型礼品是“罐罐肉”，用猪蹄和大豆、海带一起炖，以表达女婿的尊敬和感激。
[Photo/IC]
认干亲
Finding godfather
Another old custom is to find a godfather for little kids. Rainfall brings vitality to the earth; therefore people in the past believed that this practice would give their kids healthy and safe growth.
雨水节气的另一项旧俗是给小孩认干亲。雨水给大地带来了生机，因此过去的人们认为认干亲能让孩子健康成长。
The custom can be traced back to the health services of the past when many children's diseases could not be cured at all. Therefore, parents wanted a godfather to shower their blessings and good luck on their children. This old practice was popular in Sichuan area.
这一习俗要追溯到以前落后的医疗服务水平，那时候很多孩子得了病都无药可医。父母们希望干爹干妈的福泽可以保佑自己的孩子。这一旧俗在四川地区很流行。
[Photo/IC]
喝养生粥
Nutritious porridge
The wet and damp weather during Rain Water period is considered harmful for people's spleen and stomach according to Chinese medical practice. Therefore, a bowl of nutritious porridge is the best choice to nourish the body.
中医认为，雨水节气期间的湿冷天气对人的脾胃有害。一碗养生粥是滋养身体的最佳选择。
People in Beijing often eat porridge cooked with rehmannia glutinosa libosch, a kind of Chinese herb medicine, to resist cold and wet weather and eliminate heat from the blood. It is also good for people with constipation, arthritis and headaches.
老北京人经常在雨水节气喝地黄粥来抵御湿寒天气，清热凉血。地黄粥对于便秘、关节炎和头痛患者也很有好处。
英文来源：中国日报网
翻译&编辑：丹妮
审稿：董静、齐磊
来源：中国日报网