Page 308 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

R

Rain

yu

Scratched on one of the oldest oracle bones (13th–12th centuries BC) that have come
down to us, is the question: When is it going to rain? We can feel the urgency in these
primitive characters – rain was vital to the agrarian economy of old China. Indeed,
sacrifices to the rain-gods in time of drought were performed well into modern times.
‘Wind and rain blow through the cosmos’ (Huai-nan-zi of Liu An, died 121 BC).
To command wind and rain was the privilege of spirits powerful in magic (ling).
Rain comes about when the female principle ( yin) unites with the male principle
( yang). ‘Rain and Dew’ represent contrasting poetical motifs which serve as
emblems for certain seasons of the year. ‘With rain is associated the representation of
female properties, with dew the representation of princely munificence’ (Marcel Granet).

Rain-god on clouds