【节气】谷雨| Grain Rain
A time when spring deepens, and seeds welcome the rain.
Gǔyǔ (谷雨), meaning “Grain Rain,” is the sixth and final solar term of spring in the traditional Chinese calendar, falling on 20th April this year. As the name suggests, this is the season when rainfall becomes more abundant—just in time to nourish the crops that have been planted, and to help the grain begin its journey of growth.
In ancient China, people believed that “rain brings the grain,” and so this term marks not just the rhythm of nature, but the intimate connection between earth, water, and life.
🌱 A Season of Renewal and Readiness
As buds open and the air grows warmer, 谷雨 is a signal that spring is giving way to early summer. Farmers begin sowing rice, tea leaves are at their most tender, and the landscape turns rich with possibility. It is a season of both patience and preparation.
In many parts of China, people observe traditions like:
Picking fresh tea leaves — believed to bring peace and prevent illness
Honouring Cang Jie, the legendary inventor of Chinese characters
Walking in the fields to connect with the growing season and the vitality of life
Wishing you a peaceful and nourishing Gǔyǔ season.
Let each drop of spring rain remind us of the seeds we carry, and the bridges we continue to grow.