The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain，as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.

中國傳統二十四節氣中的谷雨節氣是春季的最后一個節氣，谷雨節氣從4月19日開始，5月4日結束。

Grain Rain originates from the old saying, "Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. Here are five things that you may not know about the Grain Rain.

谷雨源自古語“雨生百谷”，表明這一時期的降雨對莊稼的生長極為重要。谷雨意味著寒冷天氣結束，氣溫急劇上升。一起來了解一下關于谷雨的5個小常識。

Key time for agriculture

農作物種植的關鍵期

Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It's a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.

谷雨之際氣溫和雨水明顯增加，莊稼長得更快更茁壯。此時是保護莊稼不遭蟲害的關鍵時期。

Sandstorms occur

沙塵暴

Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.

谷雨節氣正值春末夏初，冷空氣偶爾南下，北方還會有一些冷空氣徘徊。從4月底到5月初，氣溫上升速度比3月份快得多。由于土地干燥、氣候不穩定，大風和沙塵暴會變得更頻繁。

Drinking tea

喝茶

There is an old custom in southern China that people 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. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.

南方有在谷雨這天飲茶的古老習俗。谷雨期間的春茶富含維生素和氨基酸，有助于清熱明目。還有一種說法是，在谷雨這天飲茶能防止霉運。

Eating toona sinensis

吃香椿

People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "toona sinensis 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.

北方人有在谷雨時節吃香椿的傳統。老話說“雨前香椿嫩如絲”。香椿富含營養，有助于增強免疫力。吃香椿對腸胃和皮膚也有好處。

Grain Rain Festival

谷雨節

The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in 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 ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones.

北方沿海漁村會慶祝谷雨節。谷雨的到來標志著漁民開年來即將第一次出海。這一習俗要追溯到兩千多年前，當時人們認為海神保佑他們獲得豐收，保護他們出海不遭遇風暴。在谷雨節上，人們會向海神獻上祭品，祈求魚蝦滿倉、出海平安。

英文來源：中國日報網

翻譯&編輯：丹妮

審校：董靜、齊磊