The Significance and Customs of Grain Rain
1, sacrifice to Cang Xie
Tomb-Sweeping Day, who offered sacrifices to the Yellow Emperor, and Grain Rain, who offered sacrifices to Cang Xie, are folk traditions that have spread for thousands of years since the Han Dynasty. According to Huainanzi, in late spring and early summer, the Yellow Emperor issued a letter to announce the success of Cangjie's word-making, and millet began to appear in the world.
After Cang Xie's death, people buried him in his hometown-north of Shiguan Town, Baishui County. There is a couplet engraved on the door of the tomb: "Su Yu felt the emperor of heaven in those days, and the same text was forever matched with the tomb of the bridge." Every year in Grain Rain, Baishui County, Shaanxi Province will hold the "Cangjie Temple Fair" as scheduled.
2. Eat spring
Before and after Grain Rain, Toona sinensis was mellow and refreshing with high nutritional value, so it was said that Toona sinensis was tender as silk before the rain. People say that picking and eating Toona sinensis in spring is "eating spring". Toona sinensis is generally divided into purple Toona sinensis buds and green Toona sinensis buds, especially purple Toona sinensis buds.
Step 3 enjoy peony
"Grain Rain visited the peony in the Middle Three Dynasties". Peony flowers are called Grain Rain flowers and rich flowers, and Grain Rain has enjoyed peony for thousands of years. Up to now, Heze, Shandong Province and Luoyang, Henan Province will hold peony flowers in Grain Rain season for people to watch and play.
4. Drink grain rain tea.
Tea farmers in Fujian said that the real Grain Rain tea is made from the new tea picked in Grain Rain on this day, and it should be picked in the morning. Grain Rain tea has green color, soft leaves, rich vitamins and amino acids, and pleasant aroma. It is said that Grain Rain tea on this day can clear fire, ward off evil spirits and improve eyesight. Therefore, no matter what the weather is in Grain Rain, people will go to Chashan to pick some new tea to drink.
Step 5 offer sacrifices to the sea
Grain Rain Festival is also known as the "strong festival" for fishermen to go fishing. In the northern coastal areas of China, fishermen have celebrated Grain Rain Festival for more than two thousand years. As soon as the sea festival arrives, fishermen will go to the Sea Temple and Niangniang Temple with offerings, and others will go to the seaside with offerings, beating gongs and drums, setting off firecrackers and offering sacrifices to the sea. The scene is very grand, and this custom is still popular in Rongcheng, Jiaodong.