Speaking of the 24 solar terms, I think we all know that the rain is coming soon, which is the 20th of this month. The coming of grain rain means that summer is coming. Now let's learn about the cultural customs of Guyu.
What is the date of this year's Guyu? What are the customs of Guyu
It ranks sixth among the 24 solar terms, and it is also the last solar term in spring, followed by the beginning of summer. This year's grain rain is on Saturday, April 20th.
The origin of Guyu
It is said that during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, a flood broke out in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. The young man Guyu moved the villagers to the city wall and rescued a peony flower, which he planted in a hundred flower garden to take good care of. In order to repay her kindness, Dan Feng, a Peony Fairy, turns into a human being and treats Gu Yu's seriously ill mother. Unexpectedly, Dan Feng is captured by a vulture and forced to make wine with blood. Gu Yu rushed to the vulture's cave to rescue Danfeng, but he died. In memory of him, people named this day 'Guyu', which is the origin of Guyu solar term.
Guyu custom
Enjoy Peony
Before and after the valley rain is an important period of Peony Blossom, therefore, peony is also known as the valley rain flower, Fugui flower. "The peony in the three dynasties of Guyu", where there are flowers, there are scholars and girls visiting, and there are also those who hang curtains and lights at night, feast and enjoy flowers, which is called "flower party". So far, peony parties have been held in Heze, Shandong Province, Luoyang, Henan Province and Pengzhou, Sichuan Province during the rainy season.
Sacrifice to the sea
In the coastal areas of northern China, fishermen have spent more than 2000 years on Guyu Festival, which was renamed fishermen's day in Daoguang period of Qing Dynasty. Today, the well-off fishermen in Rongcheng, Shandong Province, will still hold a grand "sea sacrifice" activity on this day of Guyu, toast to the goddess of the sea, and then sail out to fish.
pick tea
It is said that the tea on Guyu day will clear the fire, ward off evil spirits and brighten the eyes. Therefore, no matter what the weather is, people will go to the tea mountain to pick some new tea. Tea farmers say that the real Guyu tea is dry tea made from fresh tea picked by Guyu on this day, and it should be picked in the morning.
Eating Chinese toon
In the north, there is the custom of Guyu eating Toona sinensis. Before and after the rain is the season for Chinese toon to go on the market. At this time, Chinese toon is mellow and refreshing, with high nutritional value. It is said that Chinese toon is as tender as silk before the rain.