Rain Water is the second of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. When the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 330 degrees, the solar term of “Rain Water”arrives. It usually happens on February 18 or February 19 and ends on March 4 or March 5.
雨水是中国传统二十四节气中的第二个节气。当太阳到达天文经度330°的时候，这一天就是“雨水”这一节气。它通常开始于2月18日或19日，结束于3月4日或5日。
Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, lively spring-like scenery starts blossoming: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.
“雨水”标志着降雨量的增多和气温的回升。雨水节气来临之际，盛春之景开始勃发：河水解冻，大雁北归，草木转绿。
According to an old Chinese saying, the rainfall in spring is as precious as oil. In northern China, the spring drought is common and the precipitation of this season accounts for only 10 to 15 percent of annual average rainfall.Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a key period for irrigation when the day gets warmer and rainfall increases.
据中国古谚语所说，春雨贵如油。在中国的北方，春旱是常有的，春季降水只占年均降雨量的10%~15%。因此，在天气渐暖、雨量增加的时候，雨水被认为是灌溉的关键时期。
The rainy season has three seasons: the first is when otters offer fish, the second is when wild geese come, and the third is when grass and trees sprout. It is said that when the rainy season comes, the ice on the surface of the water melts and the otters start to catch fish. The otters like to put the fish in order after biting them to death on the shore, like a sacrifice. After five days of rain, geese began to fly back to the north from the south. After another five days, the grass and trees began to sprout as the yang energy in the earth rose. From then on, the earth gradually began to show a thriving scene.
雨水有三候，一候水獭祭鱼，二候鸿雁来，三候草木萌动。说的是雨水节气来临，水面冰块融化，水獭开始捕鱼了。水獭喜欢把鱼咬死后放到岸边依次排列，像是祭祀一般，所以有了“獭祭鱼”之说。雨水五日后，大雁开始从南方飞回北方。再过五日，草木随着地中阳气的上腾而开始抽出嫩芽。从此，大地渐渐开始呈现出一派欣欣向荣的景象。
The phenomenon of "return of cold spell" often occurs in late spring, and it is important to pay extra attention to keeping warm during this period. The fast increase in air humidity due to rainfall can result in lower temperature and wet weather. It is strongly advised not to take off the thick coats too early and to keep warm, especially elderly and children.
晚春时期常出现“倒春寒”现象，在此阶段要格外注意保暖。降雨带来的空气湿度骤增会导致温度降低，天气潮湿。在此期间，强烈建议不要太早脱掉厚外套，注意保暖，尤其是老人和小孩。
Finally, I would like to share an old poem with you.Happy Rain on a Spring Night（许渊冲 译）Good rain knows its time right; It will fall when comes spring. With wind it steals in night; Mute, it moistens each thing. O’er wild lanes dark cloud spreads; In boat a lantern looms. Dawn sees saturated reds; The town’s heavy with blooms.
最后，向大家分享一首古诗：《春夜喜雨》（杜甫 著）。好雨知时节，当春乃发生。随风潜入夜，润物细无声。野径云俱黑，江船火独明。晓看红湿处，花重锦官城。
Author: Zhao Xiuran
Date: February 18, 2024
