谷雨
Grain Rain
古人似乎对雨有着奇妙的幻想。在英文世界，和雨相关的谚语有“rain cats and dogs”（倾盆大雨）和“rain pennies from heaven”（好运降临）。而在中国，则有一年一度的“谷雨”时节。
Ancient people seem to have fanciful imaginations of the rain. When it sometimes "rains cats and dogs" or "rains pennies from heaven" in the English-speaking world, in China we welcome the annual period of Grain Rain.
“谷雨”是中国传统二十四节气中的第六个节气，也是春季的最后一个节气。此时降雨量明显增加，正好满足了谷物类农作物生长的需要，所以“谷雨”节气的英文翻译为Grain Rain。
“谷雨”这个节气的名称来源于俗语“雨生百谷”，由此可以看出，在这段时间内雨水对于庄稼的生长是何等重要。谷雨的到来代表着寒冷天气的终结和温度的攀升。
Grain Rain originates from the old saying, "Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature.
农耕关键期
民间有“谷雨时节种谷天”的说法。春雨贵如油，庄稼喝饱了水，便开始舒展身子长个儿了。
谷雨带来了温度和降水量的明显增长，谷物成长地愈发快速和结实。这段时间是防虫蛀谷的关键期。
Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It's a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.
沙尘暴兴
受北方冷空气影响，再加上土质疏松干燥，谷雨期间时常会出现强沙尘暴等大风灾害天气。
谷雨降临在春末和夏初之间，伴随着少量冷空气南下，北方的冷空气依旧停滞不走。四月底到五月初，温度上升地比三月要快得多。受土壤干燥、大气不稳定和强风影响，狂风和沙尘暴变得更加频繁。
Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north.
From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.
喝雨前茶
“春山谷雨前，并手摘芳烟。”谷雨前采摘的茶味道醇厚，香气浓烈。约三五知己或一人独处于静室，沏一壶清茶，细品春日融融，这便是中国人独享的意趣。
中国南方有个习俗：人们要在谷雨当天饮茶。谷雨期间的春茶富含维他命和氨基酸，对身体散热和明目都有帮助。还有一种说法：谷雨喝茶可抵挡厄运。
There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.
吃香椿
吃香椿又叫“吃春”，谷雨时期的香椿鲜嫩清爽，营养丰富，凉拌、炒蛋或炸成“椒盐香椿鱼”都十分美味。
中国北方人有谷雨吃香椿的传统。俗话说：“雨前椿芽嫩如丝”，这种蔬菜营养丰富，有助于增强免疫系统，还有利于健胃护肤。
People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk". The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. It is also good for the stomach and skin.
祭海
部分沿海地区的渔民会在谷雨举办祭海活动，渔民们向海神献上祭品，以求出海平安和收获满满。
谷雨标志着渔民们在这一年里的首次出海。该习俗可追溯到两千多年前，当时人们认为是神灵保佑他们免受风暴袭击，获得丰收。在谷雨庆典仪式上，人们会祭海并举行相关仪式，祈求丰收，也祈求所爱之人出海平安。
Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas.
People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones.
