China's 24 Solar Terms – Grain Rain

      Grain Rain is the sixth solar term in the twenty-four solar terms and the final solar term of spring. It usually falls between April 19 and 21 of the Gregorian calendar each year. Its name derives from the meaning "rain brings life to all grains". During this period, temperatures rise rapidly and rainfall increases significantly, making it a crucial time for transplanting young rice seedlings and sowing new crops in the fields. Hence the folk saying: "Spring rain is as precious as oil".

In ancient times, Grain Rain was divided into three pentads:

• First pentad: Duckweed begins to grow.
• Second pentad: Cuckoos preen their feathers and sing.
• Third pentad: Hoopoes descend on mulberry trees.

These depict the late spring scenes of floating duckweed, cuckoo calls, and hoopoes perching on mulberries.

As for customs, people in southern China have the tradition of drinking Grain Rain tea, while those in northern China follow the food custom that "Chinese toon before rain is as tender as silk". Other activities include appreciating peonies and offering sacrifices to Cang Jie.