The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Rain Water (Chinese: 雨水) this year starts on Feb 19 and ends on Mar 5.

Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, lively spring-like scenery starts blossoming: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.

Here are five things you may not know about Rain Water.

No.1 Water as precious as oil

According to an old Chinese saying, the rainfall in spring is as precious as oil. 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.

Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a key period for irrigation when the day gets warmer and rainfall increases.

[Photo/duitang.com]