First, the origin of Grain Rain:
The origin of Grain Rain is explained in ancient books. Twenty-four solar terms say: "In mid-March, after the rain, the earth and paste pulsated. Now it is raining, and its valley is in the water. The valley is planted at this time, from bottom to top, hence the name. "
In mid-March, after the rain, the land became fertile, suitable for sowing millet and other crops, and after sowing, a new season of rain came, suitable for grain growth. Therefore, the sowing of grains in the future will be in this solar term, and there are two things that have the name of "Grain Rain" from the bottom up.
In ancient Grain Rain, the connection between valley and rain implied the meaning of "rain gives birth to hundreds of valleys" and also reflected the agricultural climate significance of "Grain Rain".
Second, Grain Rain's "third class"
Every solar term has the phenological theory of Three Represents, and Grain Rain's three climaxes are:
A Hou Ping began to live:
The duckweed here refers to duckweed, which grows in water and can't stand frost, so when the temperature rises and there is enough rain in Grain Rain, duckweed gets a suitable environment for growth and begins to grow.
The second time, the pigeon blows its feathers:
The cuckoo here refers to the cuckoo. When the cuckoo blows its feathers, it means that the cuckoo begins to comb its feathers. Because cuckoos can feel the change of the weather, once the temperature is right, they will come to live in the north, then start to sort out their feathers and start courtship. The temperature in Grain Rain is just right for cuckoo, so there is a saying that cuckoo blows feathers in Grain Rain.
Three Hou Dai Sheng falls in mulberry:
Here, "Dai Ren" refers to Dai Sheng bird, and "Mulberry" refers to Mulberry. Because Grain Rain is the time for Dai Sheng birds to breed, and its nest is built on mulberry trees. So there was the phenomenon that Grain Rain and Dai Sheng turned to mulberry.
Third, the customs of Grain Rain:
1, enjoy the peony
The solar term of collective flowering of peony is just around Grain Rain, so peony is also called Grain Rain flower. Therefore, it has become the custom of the ancients to admire peony flowers in Grain Rain. The ancients said, "Grain Rain visited peony in three dynasties". In modern times, peony is also a common flower, so the custom of enjoying peony in Grain Rain has continued to this day.
Step 2 pick tea
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. Grain Rain tea is different from any kind of tea at ordinary times, and it embodies a folk psychology of longing for health and safety.
Step 4 eat Toona sinensis
Before and after Grain Rain, Toona sinensis trees germinated. At this time, you can see Toona sinensis buds in the vegetable market. At that time, our family will buy a lot of Toona sinensis buds, which can be fried or pickled.
In ancient times, Toona sinensis was often regarded as a symbol of longevity, so it is a custom to collect Toona sinensis and eat Toona sinensis in Grain Rain season, and it is also a blessing to yourself and your family.
Step 5 offer sacrifices to the sea
Due to the unique geographical location and climate of China, deep-sea fish and shrimp follow the seasonal migration law, and come to the offshore waters of Jiaodong Peninsula in Grain Rain every day in droves. Therefore, among the fishermen here, there is a saying that "a hundred fish come ashore in Grain Rain". So the custom of offering sacrifices to the sea on Grain Rain Festival appeared.