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Culture Insider: Five Things you may not know about Grain Rain
文化管窥：关于谷雨你可能不知道的五件事
导读:中国农历将一年分为24个节气。谷雨，作为春天的最后一个节气，从4月19日开始，5月4日结束。
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain (Chinese: 谷雨)，as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.
中国农历将一年分为24个节气。谷雨，作为春天的最后一个节气，从4月19日开始，5月4日结束。
Grain Rain originates from the old saying, "Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. Here are five things that you may not know about the Grain Rain.
谷雨源自古人“雨生百谷”之说，这说明，这一时期的降雨对农作物的生长极为重要。谷雨标志着寒冷天气的结束以及气温的快速上升。以下是关于谷雨你可能不知道的五件事。
Key time for agriculture
1.农业活动的关键时期
Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.
温度和降水量都显著增加，农作物生长又快又壮。这是预防农作物遭受虫害的重要时期。
Sandstorms occur
2.沙尘暴肆虐
Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.
谷雨正处于春末夏初之间，罕见的冷空气南下，北方的冷空气也久久徘徊。4月底到5月初，气温上升的幅度远高于3月份。再加上干燥的土壤、不稳定的大气层以及大风，季风和沙尘暴就发生的越来越频繁。
Drinking tea
3.喝谷雨茶
There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.
中国南方有一个古老的习俗，那就是谷雨这天要喝春茶。谷雨时的春茶富含丰富的维生素和氨基酸，可以帮助身体散热，同时具有明目的功效。还有观点认为，喝谷雨茶能驱赶霉运。
Eating toona sinensis
4.吃香椿芽
People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk". The vegetable is nutritious and can help to stengthen the immunie system. It is also good for the stomach and skin.
中国北方有在谷雨节气吃香椿芽的传统。中国有句古话，“雨前香椿嫩如丝”。 香椿芽营养丰富，可以帮助增强免疫系统，对肠胃和皮肤也大有裨益。
Grain Rain Festival
5. 谷雨祭海
The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyagel for their loved ones.
在中国北方沿海地区的渔村，谷雨这天要举行庆祝活动。谷雨标志着渔民们一年里首航的开始。这一习俗可追溯到2000多年前，当时人们认为，在波涛汹涌的海面上，多亏了神灵保佑，他们才能丰收。在谷雨节这天人们会祭海并举办节日活动，以祈求出海满载而归以及家人的平安。