Grain Rain (Guyu)

Grain Rain (Guyu, 穀雨), the last spring term, falls around 19-21 April at solar longitude 30°, when rain nourishes crops and new tea is gathered.

Solar longitude

30°

Type

Principal term (zhongqi)

Season

Spring

Order

No. 6 of 24

Usual dates

Apr 19–20

Meaning and Astronomy

Guyu (穀雨) begins when the sun reaches ecliptic longitude 30°, usually between 19 and 21 April. It is the sixth solar term, a zhongqi (中氣) or principal term in the third lunar month, and the last term of spring; the Start of Summer follows about fifteen days later.

The name is usually explained as 'rain that brings forth the grains': more frequent rain now waters newly sown seed and growing crops. A separate legend says that when Cangjie invented Chinese writing, heaven rained grain in approval, which is why he is honoured at this time - a story that has little to do with the term's original meaning.

The Three Pentads

• First pentad: Duckweed begins to grow (萍始生) - warmer water lets duckweed spread across ponds.
• Second pentad: The cuckoo preens its feathers (鳴鳩拂其羽) - calling birds seem to urge farmers to sow.
• Third pentad: The hoopoe alights on the mulberry (戴勝降于桑) - the crested hoopoe appears in mulberry trees just as silkworm rearing begins.

Climate and Farming

Southern China enters its rainy season, with more thunderstorms and heavy downpours, and rainfall increases along the Yangtze. The north often faces spring drought, but frosts are largely over, as the proverb 'snow ends by Qingming, frost ends by Guyu' (清明斷雪，穀雨斷霜) says. Taiwan grows warmer with frontal showers before its plum rain season in mid-May, and Hong Kong sees more thunderstorms.

In the north, cotton, maize and sorghum are sown - cotton growers say 'before Grain Rain, plant cotton'. In the south early rice is transplanted and tea picking is in full swing, while farmers in southern China and Taiwan begin preparing for heavy rain.

Customs

Drinking Grain Rain tea is the most widespread custom. Leaves picked before Guyu, known as 'pre-rain tea' (雨前茶), are prized alongside pre-Qingming tea as the year's finest spring teas. Tree peonies bloom at this time and are nicknamed 'Grain Rain flowers'; Luoyang in Henan and Heze in Shandong hold peony viewing events.

Baishui County in Shaanxi, by tradition Cangjie's home town, holds rites at his temple on Guyu. In parts of Shandong and Shanxi people once pasted charms on walls to keep scorpions out, and Shandong fishing communities make offerings to the sea for safe voyages and good catches. In Taiwan, Guyu falls near Mazu's birthday in the third lunar month, a season of lively processions. Northerners say Chinese toon shoots are at their tenderest around Guyu.

Seasonal Food and Wellness

With humid air and frequent rain, traditional thinking suggests easing dampness with light, easily digested food such as Job's tears, red beans and winter melon, and less greasy or chilled food. Temperatures still swing between warm days and cool evenings, and pollen counts can be high, so dressing in layers and taking care outdoors are practical precautions. These are traditional ideas, not medical advice.

Grain Rain (Guyu): dates and times by year

Times are in UTC+8 (China Standard Time). Select a date to open that day in the calendar.