Guyu, or Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar, begins on April 20 this year. This term traditionally associated with the onset of the rainy season when rainfall increases and seedlings grow and thrive. As the final springtime solar term, it marks the end of spring and the time to begin preparations for summer.

Tune: Butterflies in Love with Flowers

by Ouyang Xiu (Song Dynasty)
Tr. Xu Yuanchong

Deep, deep the courtyard where he is, so deep 

 
It's veiled by smokelike willows heap on heap, 

  
By curtain on curtain and screen on screen.  

 
Leaving his saddle and bridle, there he has been  

 
Merrymaking. From my tower his trace can't be seen. 

 
The third moon now, the wind and rain are raging late; 

 
At dusk I bar the gate,

  
But I can't bar in spring. 

 
My tearful eyes ask flowers, but they fail to bring  

 
An answer; I see red blossoms fly o'er the swing.


Sources: Xinhua, People's Daily Online, CGTN