Grain Rain brings life to crops, farmers busy planting
Guyu, the sixth of the twenty-four solar terms and the final solar term of spring. Falling on April 19-21 each year when the sun reaches 30° of ecliptic longitude, Guyu literally means "rain generates the hundred grains." This indicates that rainfall increases significantly during this period, which is beneficial for the growth of grain crops, and marks a crucial time for spring planting and sowing hope.
During Guyu, the south receives abundant rainfall with warmth and moisture, while in the north temperatures rise and the soil thaws more deeply, making it suitable for spring planting. The new buds on Jiangnan tea plantations begin to unfold, and folk tradition holds "Guyu tea picking" customs. During this time, one must also guard against "late-spring cold snaps" and prolonged rainy weather, with attention to moisture control and dampness elimination, while protecting the spleen and nourishing the stomach.
First Aspect - Duckweed Begins to Generate: Water-floating duckweed begins to sprout on water surfaces, and aquatic water vapor gradually becomes abundant.
Second Aspect - Cuckoos Brush Their Feathers: Cuckoo birds flap their wings and sing, seemingly urging people to go down to the fields to plow.
Third Aspect - Hoopoes Descend Upon Mulberries: Hoopoe birds alight upon mulberry trees, heralding the approach of sericulture and new mulberry leaf growth.
Rest: As the weather warms and humidity increases, pay attention to ventilation and moisture control, while maintaining warmth and protection from cold. During rainy weather travel, guard against rain exposure and change clothing promptly to prevent pathogenic dampness from entering.
Diet: The focus should be on fortifying the spleen and eliminating dampness. Favor foods such as Job's tears, azuki beans, Chinese yam, and aged tangerine peel. Vegetables may include spring bamboo shoots, Chinese mahogany buds, pea shoots, and seasonal leafy greens; minimize raw and cold foods as well as overly sweet and greasy fare.
Exercise: Moderate aerobic activity and stretching exercises, such as walking, tai chi, and the Eight Pieces of Brocade. After rain, ground is slippery; exercise intensity should not be excessive, with attention to preventing slips and staying warm.
Emotions: Maintain a cheerful mood and align with the life-generating qi of spring. You may venture outdoors to appreciate nature and enjoy the greenery, but should shelter from wind and rain, guarding against exposure to cold dampness.
Guyu Tea: Spring tea picked before and after Guyu, with fat buds, clear fragrance and fresh flavor, is called "Guyu tea" and is praised for its ability to clear heat from the liver.
Walking Guyu: Some regions in the south hold customs of spring outings and countryside wandering during Guyu to pray for a year of safety and abundant harvest.
Sacrificing to the Grain Spirit: Anciently, there were customs of sacrificing to grain storehouses and the god of the earth and harvest, praying for abundant crops and favorable wind and rain.
Guyu Sea Sacrifice: Coastal fishermen make sacrifices to the sea during Guyu to seek blessings, praying for safe voyages and bountiful catches.
Guyu serves as the final closing gesture of spring, following Qingming and preceding Lixia. Its seasonal characteristics feature abundant rainfall and rising temperatures, most suited for planting, cultivating, and seedbed management.
Astronomical Significance: At Guyu, the sun reaches 30° of ecliptic longitude. As the sun's direct rays continue to move northward, light in the Northern Hemisphere increases, daylight hours gradually lengthen, night hours shorten, and ground temperatures rise more rapidly.
Agricultural Guidance: North China can plant corn, millet, and miscellaneous grains; South China intensifies early rice seedling cultivation and transplanting; the north must guard against late frost and strong winds, while the south must prevent prolonged rain and waterlogging damage, with timely water drainage to protect seedlings.
