1 means that it is getting closer and closer to the end of winter and spring is coming.
2. The rainfall began to increase, and the climate gradually became humid, which was very beneficial to plant growth. Therefore, the solar term of rain also marks the beginning of busy agricultural production.
Rain is running water, representing life and hope, so the rainy solar term is also regarded as a festive festival, and people focus on commemorating the hydrophilic environment and preventing natural disasters on this day.
This is also a traditional festival in some places. For example, in the southwest of China, there is a tradition of "Dragon Boat Festival" in the rain and solar terms. People will go to rivers, lakes and seas to offer sacrifices to dragon gods to ensure abundant water resources and favorable weather.
Rain is the 25th solar term among the 24 solar terms, which means that the rainfall begins to increase and the nature begins to turn from drought to humidity. Rainwater solar terms generally appear around February 18 or 19 of Gregorian calendar.
In rainy and solar terms, the direct point of the sun is gradually approaching the equator from the southern hemisphere. At this time, the sunshine hours and intensity in the northern hemisphere are increasing, and the temperature is rising rapidly. Warm and humid air from the ocean becomes active and gradually pushes northward to meet with cold air, forming rainfall. The rainy season is changeable, which is one of the seasons with the most cold wave processes in the whole year, with cold and hot, warm and cold at first.
The custom and diet of rain
After the rain, it is required to have a light diet. You should eat more chicken, fish, vegetables, fruits and other foods, and eat less greasy and hot things, which is also in line with the health care concept of "covering in spring and beating in autumn". On this day, people will eat realgar wine, which is a very popular home-cooked dish in Jiangnan. People also have the custom of eating plum cake. It is said that eating plum blossom cake can improve the weather and promote health.
On this day, people will whip the land during the rain festival to pray for abundant rain in spring and ensure a bumper harvest. Melting water flows through the land on a snowy day, washing away impurities and laying the foundation for spring ploughing and sowing. In ancient times, people thought dragons were rain animals. Therefore, on the rainy day, they will dig taps in the fields and pray for good weather in the coming year. In southern China, people also have the custom of praying for rain to God. In this solar term, people will make sacrifices and pray for a bumper harvest.