Grain Rain of the 24 Solar Terms 二十四节气之谷雨

谷雨是二十四节气之一。谷雨源自古人“雨生百谷”之说。“清明断雪，谷雨断霜”，气象专家表示，谷雨是春季最后一个节气，谷雨节气的到来意味着寒潮天气基本结束，气温回升加快。
Grain Rain is one of the 24 solar terms. It originated from the ancient saying that “rain gives life to all grains”. “The Pure Brightness means stop of snow, and the Grain Rain means the stop of frost”. According to the weather experts, the Grain Rain is the last solar term in spring. The coming of Grain Rain means that the cold and humid weather almost comes to an end and the temperature will rise again quickly.
谷雨节气时天气温和，雨水明显增多，对谷类作物的生长发育关系很大。雨水适量有利于越冬作物的返青拔节和春播作物的播种出苗，古代所谓“雨生百谷”，反映了“谷雨”的现代农业气候意义。但雨水过量或严重干旱，则往往造成危害，影响后期产量。
In the Grain Rain, the weather is mild and there is an obvious increase of rainfall, which has a great influence on growth of grain crops. The appropriate rainfall will contribute to the reviving and growth of winter crops as well as the sowing and seeding emerging in spring. The ancient saying “rain gives life to all grains” shows the Grain Rain’s significance of climate on modern agriculture. However, the excessive rainfall and the severe drought always result in damages and may influence crop production in the later stage.
中国古代将谷雨分为三候：“第一候萍始生；第二候呜鸠拂其羽；第三候为戴胜降于桑。”是说谷雨后降雨量增多，浮萍开始生长，接着布谷鸟便开始提醒人们播种了，然后是桑树上开始见到戴胜鸟。
In ancient China, the Grain Rain is divided into three periods: the first period when duckweeds begin to grow; the second period when the cuckoos flap their wings; and the third period when the hoopoes stand on mulberries. This means that after the Grain Rain, the rainfall will increase and duckweeds begin to grow. After that, cuckoos begin to remind people to sow seeds. Then, hoopoes can be seen on mulberries.
谷雨节气后降雨增多，空气中的湿度逐渐加大，桃花、杏花竞相开放，杨絮、柳絮四处飞扬，谷类作物也茁壮成长。杜鹃夜啼，牡丹吐蕊，樱桃红熟，自然景物告示人们：时至暮春了。
After the Grain Rain, the rainfall increases and air humidity grows gradually. The peach blossom and the apricot blossom contend in beauty and fascination. The poplar catkins and the willow catkins are flying all through the air. The grain crops thrive as well. Cuckoos are singing at night. Peonies begin to thrive. Cherries are red and mature. The natural scenery tells us that it is the late spring.