MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Rain Water

The good rain knows its season

Introduction

Snow gives way to rain and plants begin to bud

Rain Water is the second solar term, beginning when the sun reaches 330° of ecliptic longitude, around 18–20 February. Temperatures rise and precipitation turns from snow to rain. Its three pentads are otters laying out fish, wild geese flying north, and grass and trees beginning to bud. Timely spring rain helps winter wheat green up and south China starts raising rice seedlings ('spring rain is as precious as oil'); in western Sichuan married daughters visit their parents' homes.

Timeline

Western Han to present
139 BCE · OriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to yin: Rain Water', the earliest systematic attestation of Rain Water.104 BCE · EvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Rain Water became a fixed term in it.85 · EvolutionThe Eastern Han Sifen calendar of 85 CE restored the order Rain Water then Awakening of Insects (the Western Han Santong system had placed Awakening of Insects first); this order is still used.
  1. 139 BCEOriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to yin: Rain Water', the earliest systematic attestation of Rain Water.
  2. 104 BCEEvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Rain Water became a fixed term in it.
  3. 85EvolutionThe Eastern Han Sifen calendar of 85 CE restored the order Rain Water then Awakening of Insects (the Western Han Santong system had placed Awakening of Insects first); this order is still used.

Heritage Listings

  1. 2006National List of Representative Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage1st batch · X-68 Twenty-Four Solar Terms of the Lunar Calendar · nominated by the China Agricultural Museum · collective item
  2. 2016UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of HumanityThe Twenty-Four Solar Terms · knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun's annual motion · collective inscription