What is the Rain Water solar term and what are its characteristics?

Introduction: The solar terms are a calendar that has been passed down from ancient times in our country and is still used by people today, which shows the importance of the solar terms. And Rainwater is one of the 24 solar terms. So what exactly is the Rain Water solar term and what are its characteristics? Now, let’s follow the editor to learn about it. During the first month of the lunar calendar, you will have a good year. The first month is the most important month of spring. Mr. Shui Mo will share with you some knowledge about January.

What is the Rain Water solar term?

Rainwater is the second solar term among the 24 solar terms. Around the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year (February 18-20 in the Gregorian calendar), when the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 330 degrees, it is the Rain Water of the twenty-four solar terms. At this time, the temperature rises, the ice and snow melt, and the precipitation increases, so it is named Rainwater. The Rain Water solar term generally starts on February 18 or 19 of the Gregorian calendar and ends on March 4 or 5. Rainwater, like Grain Rain, Light Snow and Heavy Snow, is a solar term that reflects precipitation phenomena. [1]
"Collected Explanations of the 72 Seasonal Changes" states: "In the middle of the first month, heaven produces water. The beginning of spring belongs to wood, but what produces wood must be water, so the Rain Water follows the Beginning of Spring. And when the east wind thaws the ice, it dissipates and turns into rain." This means that around the Rain Water solar term, all things begin to sprout and spring is about to arrive. For example, the "Book of Yi Zhou" records the phenological phenomena such as "the arrival of wild geese" and "the sprouting of grass and trees" after the Rain Water Festival.

What are the characteristics of the Rain Water solar term?

Rain Water falls around the 15th day of the first lunar month every year (February 18-20 in the Gregorian calendar), and the solar term starts from the Rain Water day and ends before the Waking of Insects Day (March 4-5 in the Gregorian calendar). The sun's direct point is gradually approaching the equator from the southern hemisphere. At this time in the northern hemisphere, the hours and intensity of sunshine are increasing, the temperature is rising rapidly, the warm and humid air from the ocean is starting to become active and is gradually advancing northward. At the same time, the cold air is not willing to be outdone in the weakening trend and is frequently competing with the warm air, neither willing to withdraw from the dominant position nor to give up the remaining coldness.
The rain started and the amount of rain increased gradually. The meaning of the Rain Water solar term is the beginning of rainfall and the gradual increase in rainfall. In the Yellow River Basin, the origin of the 24 solar terms, the weather is cold before the Rain Water, but snowflakes can be seen flying and the sound of rain can hardly be heard; after the Rain Water, the temperature generally rises to above 0 ℃, the snow gradually decreases and the rain gradually increases. However, in the southern region with a warm climate, rainfall is not uncommon even in the dead of winter. During this period, the average temperature in most parts of southern my country is above 10℃, peach and plum buds are in bloom, and cherry flowers are in full bloom, indicating that we have indeed entered spring in terms of climate. Except for a few years, the frost season ends here. Now is the right time to graft fruit trees and plant trees. South China is often hit by spring droughts after winter droughts, especially in western South China where "spring rain is as precious as oil." In addition, cold waves can cause severe temperature drops and snowstorms, which are extremely harmful to old, weak and young animals. All of these require special prevention.
Rain not only indicates the beginning of rainfall and the increase in rainfall, but also indicates the rise in temperature. Before the rain, the weather is relatively cold. After the rain, people can clearly feel that spring has returned to the earth, flowers are blooming and the world is full of spring, and the refreshing breath inspires the body and mind.
The period of severe cold and snow has passed in most parts of the country. It has started to rain and the rainfall has gradually increased, which is conducive to the greening or growth of overwintering crops. We should speed up the field management of overwintering crops and make preparations for spring plowing and sowing, such as seed selection, spring plowing and fertilization. During the 15 days of the Rain Water solar term, we go from the sixth day of "Qijiu" to the second day of "Jiujiu". "On Qijiu, the rivers open, on Bajiu, the swallows come, on Jiujiu plus 19, oxen are everywhere". This means that except for most areas of the northwest, northeast and southwest plateaus which are still in the cold winter, many other areas are undergoing or have completed the transition from winter to spring. Under the urging of the spring wind, rain and water, the vast rural areas are beginning to show a busy scene of spring ploughing.
However, during the rainy season, cold air activities in the north are still frequent and the weather is changeable. Since we are talking about the frequent cold air activities in this season, we cannot fail to mention what people often call "spring cover". This is the health-preserving principle of dressing proposed by the ancients based on the characteristics of climate change in spring. In early spring, the yang energy gradually rises, the climate becomes warmer, and people gradually stop wearing cotton clothes and start wearing thin clothes. However, the coldness in the north has not yet ended, and the temperature fluctuates greatly. Although the rainy season is not as cold as the cold winter months, the skin pores of the human body have become relatively loose, and the resistance to wind and cold will be weakened, making it easy to be susceptible to evil and get sick. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to "spring covering" at this time. This unpredictable weather can easily cause people's mood swings and even anxiety, affecting their physical and mental health. It is even more harmful to patients with high blood pressure, heart disease and asthma. In order to eliminate these unfavorable factors, in addition to continuing to practice spring cover, we should adopt active mental adjustment and health-preserving exercise methods. Keeping your emotions stable plays a very important role in your physical and mental health.
After the rain, the spring breeze brings warmth, and pathogenic bacteria and viruses are easily spread by the wind, so infectious diseases often break out in spring. Everyone should protect themselves, pay attention to physical exercise, enhance resistance and prevent the occurrence of diseases.
During the Rain Water solar term, the ground's moisture gradually rises, and dew and frost appear in the mornings. Therefore, in view of such climatic characteristics, dietary adjustments should focus on regulating the spleen and stomach and dispelling wind and dampness. Because the climate is relatively cold at this time, you can take appropriate supplements. Honey, dates, yam, white fungus, etc. are all suitable supplements for this solar term.
The atmospheric circulation is in the adjustment stage at this time, and the climate characteristics across the country generally tend to transition from the coldness of late winter to the warmth of early spring.
Summary: Through the above article, we have learned something about the Rain Water solar term. I hope you will like the above content. I wish you all smooth sailing and good luck in the new year!

After reading this article, there are more exciting contents in the special topic of the first month of the lunar calendar. Let’s take a look!