Rain Water, or yushui, is the second of the 24 solar terms. As its name implies, Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and the rise in temperature.

雨水，中国传统二十四节气中的第二个节气。顾名思义，雨水意味着降雨量增加，气温上升。

RAIN

WATER

With its arrival, the lively, spring-like scenery begins to unfold: the river melts, wild geese migrate from the south to the north, and trees and grass turn green again.

随着雨水的到来，生机勃勃的春景开始绽放：河水解冻，大雁北归，草木又绿了起来。



A Chinese proverb describes the days after Rain Water as the “three phenological phenomena” —first, otters start to toy with fish, second, wild goose fly from south to north, third, grass and trees begin to sprout.

中国谚语将雨水后的日子描述为 “三候”—— 一候水獭祭鱼，二候鸿雁来，三候草木萌动。

Finding Godfather

拉保保

The custom of finding a godfather, known as La Baobao in Chinese, has been practiced in Sichuan Province since ancient times. On the day of the Rain Water solar term, parents who plan to secure a godfather for their children will prepare a basket filled with food, wine, incense, and candles. They then walk through the streets, searching for an ideal candidate.

在四川省，拉保保自古以来就存在。在雨水这天，打算给孩子找干爹的父母会在篮子里备好食物、酒、香和蜡烛。然后沿街寻找理想的人选。

Parents who hope their children will become knowledgeable typically seek out scholarly-looking men, while those with smaller or frail children may focus on strong-looking passers-by.

Once they identify a suitable candidate, the parents will approach the man and ask him to be the godfather. If the candidate agrees, a simple ceremony will be held, which typically includes a dinner and the burning of incense. In some cases, the godfather may maintain frequent contact with the family after the ceremony. However, it is also acceptable if the godfather never visits again. After all, this custom is primarily about bringing good luck to the child, rather than securing an actual guardian.

父母们一旦找到了目标，就会直接靠近这个人，让他给自家孩子当干爹。如果对方同意，就会举行一个含正餐，并上香的简单仪式。仪式结束后，干爹和这家人有的经常联系。如果干爹从此再不往来，人们也会接受。毕竟，这个习俗只是为了给自家孩子求来好运，而不是想找一个真正的潜在监护人。

Visiting In-laws

接寿

During Rain Water,it is customary for sons-in-law to visit their in-laws, with gift-giving being a key tradition. Traditionally, the gifts include two cane chairs wrapped with a four-meter-long red belt, symbolizing good health and longevity. Another typical gift is a pot of stewed pork knuckles with soy sauce and kelp, through which the son-in-law expresses his respect and gratitude.

雨水期间，女婿带着礼物拜访岳父岳母是主要习俗之一。根据传统，礼物一般是两把各缠着四米长红色绸带的藤椅，象征健康长寿。另一个有代表性的礼物是“罐罐肉”，是用大豆和海带炖的猪脚，女婿通过将“罐罐肉”送给岳父岳母，来表达自己对他们的尊重和感激。

Spring Rain As Precious As Oil

春雨贵如油

As an old Chinese saying goes, "Spring rain is as precious as oil." In northern China, spring droughts are common, with the seasonal precipitation accounting for only 10 to 15 percent of the annual average rainfall.

Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a crucial period for irrigation, as the days grow warmer and rainfall increases.

因此，当天气变暖，降雨量增加，雨水成了灌溉的关键时期。

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