Grain Rain

谷雨 · GǔyǔGregorian Apr 19–21Solar longitude 30°

Rain breeds a hundred grains. Seedlings are planted, new tea is at its tenderest, peonies and wisteria in full glory — spring draws to its close.

Grain Rain — spring light at daybreak;

hills and rivers deepen into ink-blue green.

— Yuan Zhen (Tang), “Verses on the 24 Qi · Grain Rain”

谷雨春光晓
山川黛色青
元稹 · 咏廿四气诗 · 谷雨三月中

Wisteria Purple

Three Pentads

三候

The ancients divided each solar term into three pentads of five days, recording nature's subtle changes.

一候萍始生

First pentad — Duckweed begins to grow

二候鸣鸠拂其羽

Second pentad — Doves preen and call

III

三候戴胜降于桑

Third pentad — Hoopoes alight on mulberry trees

节气色谱

One leading color with three companions, all drawn from the traditional Chinese color canon.

藤紫#8076A3

téngzǐ · Wisteria Purple

牡丹粉#E4A6B8

mǔdānfěn · Peony Pink

新茶绿#82A77C

xīnchálǜ · New Tea Green

雨过天青#A8CDD2

yǔguòtiānqīng · Sky After Rain

风物

Drinking Grain Rain tea, prized for its tenderness and said to clear inner heat.

喝谷雨茶——雨前茶细嫩清香,传说此日饮茶可清火明目。

Admiring peonies, which traditionally bloom around this term.

赏牡丹——谷雨三朝看牡丹,花开时节动京城。