What does Grain Rain mean?

"Grain Rain" is one of the 24 solar terms and the last solar term in spring. At present, the rainfall is frequent, which is beneficial to the growth of crops. Here, I would like to share with you the origin and customs of Grain Rain. Welcome to read!

The origin of Grain Rain

As for the origin of solar terms in Grain Rain, according to Huainanzi, the creation of characters in Cangjie is an earth-shattering event. The Yellow Emperor issued imperial edicts in late spring and early summer, announcing the success of Cangjie's word-making, and calling on all the people in the world to * * * the ambition of Xi. An unusual rain fell on this day, leaving countless Gu Mi, so later generations named this day Grain Rain, which became one of the 24 solar terms.

Customs in Grain Rain

Sacrifice Cang Xie.

Tomb-Sweeping Day, who offered sacrifices to the Yellow Emperor, and Grain Rain, who offered sacrifices to Cang Xie, are folk traditions that have spread for thousands of years since the Han Dynasty.

According to Huainanzi, in late spring and early summer, the Yellow Emperor issued a letter to announce the success of Cangjie's word-making, and millet began to appear in the world. After Cang Xie's death, people buried him in his hometown-north of Shiguan Town, Baishui County. There is a couplet engraved on the door of the tomb: "Su Yu felt the emperor of heaven in those days, and the same text was forever matched with the tomb of the bridge." Every year in Grain Rain, Baishui County, Shaanxi Province will hold the "Cangjie Temple Fair" as scheduled.

Chichun

Before and after Grain Rain, Toona sinensis was mellow and refreshing with high nutritional value, so it was said that Toona sinensis was tender as silk before the rain. People say that picking and eating Toona sinensis in spring is "eating spring". Toona sinensis is generally divided into purple Toona sinensis buds and green Toona sinensis buds, especially purple Toona sinensis buds. Fresh Toona sinensis bud is rich in protein, carotene and vitamin C, and its leaves, buds, roots, skins and fruits can be used as medicine, which has many functions such as invigorating stomach, regulating qi, relieving diarrhea and moistening skin.

Appreciate peony

"Grain Rain visited the peony in the Middle Three Dynasties". Peony flowers are called Grain Rain flowers and rich flowers, and Grain Rain has enjoyed peony for thousands of years. Up to now, Heze, Shandong Province and Luoyang, Henan Province will hold peony flowers in Grain Rain season for people to watch and play.

Drink grain rain tea.

Tea farmers in Fujian said that the real Grain Rain tea is made from the new tea picked in Grain Rain on this day, and it should be picked in the morning. Grain Rain tea has green color, soft leaves, rich vitamins and amino acids, and pleasant aroma. It is said that Grain Rain tea on this day can clear fire, ward off evil spirits and improve eyesight. Therefore, no matter what the weather is in Grain Rain, people will go to Chashan to pick some new tea to drink.

Sacrifice to the sea

Grain Rain Festival is also known as the "strong festival" for fishermen to go fishing. In the northern coastal areas of China, fishermen have celebrated Grain Rain Festival for more than two thousand years. As soon as the sea festival arrives, fishermen will go to the Sea Temple and Niangniang Temple with offerings, and others will go to the seaside with offerings, beating gongs and drums, setting off firecrackers and offering sacrifices to the sea. The scene is very grand, and this custom is still popular in Rongcheng, Jiaodong.

Take Grain Rain for example.

There was a custom of "going to Grain Rain" in ancient times. On this day, young women in Grain Rain visited relatives in the village, and some people came back after walking in the wild. The implication is to integrate with nature and keep fit.

Grain rain paste

Grain Rain posted a ban on killing five poisons. After Grain Rain, the temperature rose, and pests and diseases entered a high breeding period. In order to reduce the harm of plant diseases and insect pests to crops and people, farmers erected Grain Rain columns to pray for exorcism and good luck.

enjoy flowers

Grain Rain is also an important time for peony flowers to bloom, so peony flowers are also called "Grain Rain flowers". "Three generations of Grain Rain visited peony", and peony appreciation became an important recreational activity in people's leisure time.

Introduction to the legend of Grain Rain

Among the people, there is a story circulating in Guanzhong, Shaanxi:

According to legend, more than 4,000 years ago, Huangdi in Xuanyuan urgently needed a historian in charge of historical materials. One day, the Yellow Emperor discovered Cang Xie with both ability and political integrity and appointed Cang Xie as a historian. He remembered the important events of the country clearly by tying knots, which was very appreciated by the Yellow Emperor. Later, the knot notes became more and more backward. Once, Cang Xie went out hunting with a hunter. The hunter pointed to the traces of various wild animals left on the ground and told the whereabouts of wild animals. Cang Xie was deeply inspired: "A footprint represents a thing!" After returning home, Cang Xie packed up and went out for a trip. He climbed mountains and waded in water, was not ashamed to ask questions, and expressed everything he saw according to its characteristics. Pictographic by class, original text. Because of his contribution to word-making, he touched the Emperor of Heaven. At that time, there was a famine in the world, so he ordered the heavenly soldiers to open the granary of the Heavenly Palace, and millet was planted, and all the people in the world were saved.

After Cang Xie's death, people buried him in his hometown-north of Shiguan Town, Baishui County. There is a couplet engraved on the door of the tomb: "Su Yu felt the emperor of heaven in those days, and the same text was forever matched with the tomb of the bridge." People set the day of offering sacrifices to Cang Xie as the day of Grain Rain, which is now "Grain Rain Festival".

Nowadays, every Grain Rain Festival, there is a temple fair in Shiguan Town, Baishui County to worship Cang Xie.

The story of solar terms in Grain Rain

According to legend, during the period of Tang Gaozong, floods broke out in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Grain Rain, a young man, moved the villagers to the city wall, and by the way, he kept a peony flower and planted it in a hundred gardens, so he took good care of it.

In order to pay off the debt, Feng Dan, a peony flower, became a human figure to treat Grain Rain's seriously ill mother. Unexpectedly, Feng Dan was captured by vultures and forced to make wine with blood.

Knowing this, Grain Rain rushed to the vulture's cave and rescued Feng Dan, but he died unfortunately.

In memory of him, people named this day "Grain Rain", which is the origin of the solar terms in Grain Rain.