The traditional Chinese lunar (农历) calendar divides the year into 24 parts. Rain Water starts on Feb18 - 20 and ends on Mar 4 - 6.
Rain Water means the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, the river water starts to run, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.
Here are three customs about Rain Water.
Visit grandparents. One of the main customs during Rain Water is husbands visiting their grandparents and giving gifts. According to the tradition, gifts are usually two cane (藤条) chairs, which is a symbol of good health and long life. Another typical gift is a pot of cooked dish, by which the husband expresses his respect and thanks.
Finding godfathers. Another old custom is to find a godfather for little kids. Rainfall brings vitality (活力) to the earth. So people in the past believed that this practice would give their kids healthy and safe growth.
The custom can be gone back to the health services of the past when many children's diseases could not be cured at all. So parents wanted a godfather to shower good luck on their children. This old practice was popular in Sichuan area.
Nutritious (营养的) porridge. The wet weather during Rain Water period is considered harmful to people's stomachs according to Chinese medical practice. So a bowl of nutritious porridge is the best choice to the body.
