雨水是中国传统二十四节气(the Twenty-four Solar Terms)中的第二个节气。《易·系辞》说,万物“润之以风雨”。
二十四节气是中国人通过观察天文现象及自然变化而形成的时间知识体系及其实践。古人将太阳周年运动轨迹评分为24段,每一段(segment)就叫做节气,24段轨迹结合起来就是24节气。
24节气起源于黄河流域,是对天文气温降水及其他局部自然现象进行长期观察的产物。这种传统渗透到了国人生活的方方面面。
雨水,作为第二个节气,充满了生命的内涵。
“东风解冻,冰雪皆散而为水,化而为雨,故名雨水。”
此时气温回升,雨量渐增,像是严冬的冷风解冻后化为雨水降落下来。雨水的英文表达为Rain Water。
春雨唤醒土地,随风潜入人间;春雨使得枯木借以逢春,种子得以发芽,土地上增添了一片生机... 春雨春水是非常珍贵重要的资源,人们依靠水来农耕。所以这就是为什么雨水,这个反映降水现象的节气,在中国的文化里是如此的重要。
Spring rain rejuvenates the land,revealing the life within the earth.As they creep across the landscape,they bring life back to dead wood and help seed begin to sprout.
Water has alway been a crucial resource.This is why Rain Water Solar Term hold such an important place in Chinese culture.
——《四季中国 雨水》
春雨对农作物的生长极为重要,中国古代谚语中有“春雨贵如油”的说法。In northern China, the spring drought is common and the precipitation of this season accounts for only 10 to 15 percent of annual average rainfall.在北方地区,“春旱”是常见的。春季的降水量只占年平均降水量的10%-15%。Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a key period for irrigation when the day gets warmer and rainfall increases.因此,随着天气转暖,降雨增多,雨水节气就被视为灌溉农田的关键时期。precipitation /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/ :降水irrigation /ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃn/ :灌溉晚春时期常出现“倒春寒”现象,在此阶段要格外注意保暖。The fast increase in air humidity due to rainfall can result in lower temperature and wet weather.It is strongly advised not to take off the thick coats too early and to keep warm, especially elderly and children.在此期间,强烈建议不要太早脱掉厚外套,注意保暖,尤其是老人和小孩。
中医临床观点认为,雨水期间多雨潮湿,不利于脾胃,营养丰富易消化的粥是滋润身体的最佳选择。People in Beijing often eat porridge cooked with rehmannia glutinosa libosch, a kind of Chinese herb medicine, to resist cold and wet weather and eliminate heat from the blood.北京人经常吃用地黄煮的粥,地黄是一味中草药,用于除寒祛湿,清除血热。It is also good for people with constipation, arthritis and headaches.arthritis /ɑːˈθraɪtɪs/: 关节炎Happy Rain on a Spring NightGood rain knows its time right;It will fall when comes spring.With wind it steals in night;Mute, it moistens each thing.O’er wild lanes dark cloud spreads;Dawn sees saturated reds;
The town’s heavy with blooms.