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雨水，通常在每年的公历2月18日至20日之间开始，到3月4日或5日结束，是二十四节气中的第二个节气。二十四节气蕴含着中华民族悠久历史文化的精髓，诉说着中华民族千年的农耕文化与天文智慧。近日，江苏经贸职业技术学院推出“留学生遇上中国节气”活动，通过系列举措，讲述节气故事、介绍节气的传统习俗和文化内涵，让留学生沉浸式感受中国传统文化的魅力，共同传承和弘扬中华民族宝贵的文化遗产。
Rain Water, which typically falls between February 18 and 20 and lasts until around March 4 or 5, is the second of China’s 24 solar terms. These terms are more than just markers of time-they are a testament to the profound agricultural heritage and astronomical ingenuity that have shaped the Chinese culture for thousands of years. Recently, Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Commerce launched the event of “International Students Meet Chinese Solar Terms”. Through a series of initiatives, the event tells the stories behind these solar terms, introduces traditional customs and cultural connotations, allowing international students to immerse themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture. This effort aims to jointly inherit and promote the precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.
艾莉薇是学校一名来自非洲喀麦隆的留学生，在雨水节气，她真切感受到了中国文化的魅力。
Among the participants, an international student from Cameroon found herself enchanted by the charm of the Chinese culture in the Rain Water solar term.
捧着一碗热腾腾的荠菜粥，在氤氲热气中，艾莉薇第一次触摸到二十四节气的脉搏。“原来雨水不是天气预报，而是中国人写给自然的情书!” 她不禁惊叹。她说，在非洲，人们用鼓声呼唤雨季。在中国，原来人们是从云纹里读懂春天，中国同学还教我写《春夜喜雨》。“这是不是中国版求雨暗号？”艾莉薇笑着说。
Holding a bowl of steaming shepherd’s purse porridge, she, amidst the swirling steam, touched the pulse of the 24 solar terms for the first time. So, Rain Water isn’t just a weather forecast; it’s a love letter from the Chinese to nature, she exclaimed in amazement. She mentioned that in Africa, people summon the rainy season with drumbeats. In China, however, people read spring from the patterns of clouds. Her Chinese classmates even taught her to write “Happy Rain on a Spring Night” (a poem by Du Fu). Is this the Chinese version of a rain summoning signal? she joked with a smile.
近期，艾莉薇还和小伙伴们一起体验了众多中国民俗，如占稻色、食春芽、接福水等。“占稻色”一开始是为了通过爆糯谷占卜收成。爆米花即“炮谷”，把大锅烧干，再把糯米、稻米放进去，米粒在高温下爆为米花。后来逐渐演变成了雨水时节吃爆米花，以期许今年的好收成。
Recently, she and her friends have also experienced numerous Chinese folk customs, such as predicting harvest with popped rice, savoring spring buds, and receiving blessing water. Initially, “predicting harvest with popped rice” was a method to foretell the harvest by popping glutinous rice. Popped rice, known as “fire-cracked rice”, involves drying a large pot, then adding glutinous rice and regular rice, and popping them under high heat. This practice gradually evolved into eating popped rice during the Rain Water period to wish for a good harvest year.
艾莉薇还了解到，中国人有“不时不食”的观念。在雨水这天，人们要吃几口刚冒头的春芽，如荠菜、香椿、豆芽等。一口下去，便是占尽最好的春光。例如，雨水吃春笋，一来吃它的鲜嫩，二来也是取一个节节高升的好意头。
She also learned about the Chinese concept of “eating according to the season”. On the day of Rain Water, people eat a few bites of newly sprouted spring buds, such as shepherd’s purse, Chinese toon, and bean sprouts. A single bite captures the best of spring. For example, eating bamboo shoots during Rain Water not only enjoys their freshness and tenderness but also symbolizes a continuous rise in fortune.
此外，接福水的习俗让艾莉薇耳目一新。据说，雨水节气，油纸伞不只是挡雨的工具，更化身为接福纳祥的魔法道具。”接福水”习俗体现了中国人对自然的敬畏和对美好生活的向往。油纸伞不仅是实用工具，更是文化符号，承载着人们对幸福生活的期盼。
Moreover, the custom of receiving blessing water was a novel experience for her. It is said that during the Rain Water solar term, oil-paper umbrellas are not just tools for sheltering from the rain but also magical instruments for receiving blessings and good fortune. The “receiving blessing water” custom reflects the Chinese reverence for nature and longing for a beautiful life. Oil-paper umbrellas are not only practical tools but also cultural symbols, carrying people’s hopes for a happy life.
“中国人说‘遇雨则吉’，我想把这份‘spring shower blessing’送给你们。”如今，充分领略到中国文化魅力的艾莉薇成了中国及中国文化的推广达人，在自己的个人网络账号上，她不遗余力地介绍起中华优秀传统文化来。
The Chinese say, ‘Rain brings good fortune’, and she’d like to share this ‘spring shower blessing’ with all of you, said her. Now, having fully appreciated the charm of Chinese culture, she has become a passionate advocate for China and Chinese culture. On her personal social media account, she is tirelessly promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture.
