Around February 18th of each year in the Gregorian calendar is the Rain Water solar term. At this time, the temperature rises, ice and snow melt, and precipitation increases, hence the name "Rain Water."
What is traditionally eaten during the Rain Water solar term? The last few days of the Rain Water solar term coincide with the folk saying "February 2nd, the Dragon Raises its Head." People eat dragon beard cakes to commemorate the celestial dragon who, out of compassion for farmers suffering from a great drought, brought rain and was punished by being crushed under a mountain.
According to the old customs of northern regions, on this day, everyone must get a haircut, symbolizing good luck as the "dragon raises its head." Getting a haircut for a child is called "shaving the dragon's head." Women are not allowed to use needles and thread for fear of injuring the "dragon's eyes." People also cannot draw water from the wells; they must fill their own water jars to the brim the day before, otherwise, they will have "disturbed the dragon's head." On this day, ordinary families eat noodles, spring pancakes, popcorn, pig's head meat, and other foods. Different regions have different specialties, but most are related to the dragon. Food names are commonly prefixed with "dragon," such as eating dumplings, which is called eating "dragon ears"; eating spring pancakes is called eating "dragon scales"; eating noodles is called eating "dragon whiskers"; eating rice is called eating "dragon sons"; and eating wontons is called eating "dragon eyes."