“雨水”到 拜丈人 拉保保

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Rain Water (Chinese: 雨水) this year starts on Feb 19 and ends on Mar 5.
傳統(tǒng)的中國農(nóng)歷將一年分為24節(jié)氣。今年的“雨水”從2月19日開始，至3月5日結(jié)束。

Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, lively spring-like scenery starts blossoming: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.

“雨水”節(jié)氣的到來預示著降雨增加，氣溫回升。萬物復蘇，充滿生機;冰面解凍，大雁北飛;綠樹萌新芽。

Here are five things you may not know about Rain Water.

下面就給大家講講“雨水”節(jié)氣你可能不知道的五件事。

No.1 Water as precious as oil 春雨貴如油

According to an old Chinese saying, the rainfall in spring is as precious as oil. In northern China, the spring drought is common and the precipitation of this season accounts for only 10 to 15 percent of annual average rainfall.

中國有諺語曰：春雨貴如油。在北方，春旱常發(fā)生，春季降水僅占全年平均降水量的10%到15%。

Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a key period for irrigation when the day gets warmer and rainfall increases.

因此，人們認為“雨水”節(jié)氣是灌溉的關鍵時期，此時天氣回暖，降雨增多。

No.2 Return of cold spell 倒春寒

Extra care is needed to cope with a returning cold spell in the late spring that often happen during Rain Water period. The fast increase in air humidity due to rainfall can result in lower temperature and wet weather. It is strongly advised not to take off the thick coats too early and to keep warm, especially elderly and children.

“雨水”節(jié)氣中，為應對晚春時節(jié)經(jīng)常發(fā)生的“倒春寒”，人們需要格外注意身體。降雨使空氣濕度迅速增加，這會導致氣溫變低，天氣潮濕。強烈建議不要過早脫下厚外套，并注意保暖，特別是老人和兒童。

No.3 Visit to in-laws 拜丈人

One of the main customs during Rain Water is husbands visiting their in-laws and giving gifts. According to the tradition, gifts are usually two cane chairs winded with four meters of red belt, which symbolizes good health and longevity. Another typical gift is a pot of cooked dish that contains pig’s knuckles stewed with soya and kelp, by which the son-in-law expresses his respect and gratitude.

雨水節(jié)氣的一大風俗就是女婿拜丈人，送禮物，送節(jié)的禮品則通常是兩把藤椅，上面纏著一丈二尺長的紅帶，這稱為“接壽”，意思是祝岳父岳母長命百歲。還有一種典型的禮品被稱作“罐罐肉”，即用砂鍋燉了豬腳、雪山大豆、海帶，以對他們的養(yǎng)育之恩表示感謝和敬意。

No.4 Finding godfather 拉保保

Another old custom is to find a godfather for little kids. Rainfall brings vitality to the earth; therefore people in the past believed that this practice would give their kids healthy and safe growth.

雨水這天在民間還有一項特具風趣的活動叫“拉保保”(保保是干爹的意思)，取“雨露滋潤易生長”之意。

The custom can be traced back to the health services of the past when many children’s diseases could not be cured at all. Therefore, parents wanted a godfather to shower their blessings and good luck on their children. This old practice was popular in Sichuan area.

舊時醫(yī)療健康條件較差，很多兒童疾病不易治愈。因此家長給孩子“拉保保”，希望兒女順利健康成長，這在四川非常流行。

No.5 Nutritious porridge 養(yǎng)生粥

The wet and damp weather during Rain Water period is considered harmful for people’s spleen and stomach according to Chinese medical practice. Therefore, a bowl of nutritious porridge is the best choice to nourish the body.

中醫(yī)認為，在雨水時節(jié)，空氣濕潤，人脾胃弱。因此，來一碗養(yǎng)生粥調(diào)養(yǎng)脾胃吧。

People in Beijing often eat porridge cooked with rehmannia glutinosa libosch, a kind of Chinese herb medicine, to resist cold and wet weather and eliminate heat from the blood. It is also good for people with constipation, arthritis and headaches.

雨水時節(jié)，北京人常喝地黃粥，祛除寒濕和燥熱。對患有便秘、關節(jié)炎和頭痛的人來說也有調(diào)養(yǎng)作用。