Woo-su (Rain Water)
Overview
Woo-su (雨水) is the second of the 24 solar terms, occurring when the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 330 degrees. It generally falls around February 18 to March 4 in the Gregorian calendar. During this period, the winter cold subsides, snow turns to rain, and the ground begins to thaw. Positioned between Ip-chun (立春, Start of Spring) and Gyeong-chip (驚蟄, Awakening of Insects), Woo-su holds significant importance in agricultural societies, marking the start of full-scale spring preparations.
Main Content
Origin and Meaning of the Solar Term
Woo-su literally combines the Chinese characters '雨' (rain) and '水' (water), meaning 'rain turns into water.' This reflects the natural phenomenon where the frozen ground thaws and rain begins to fall instead of snow. In traditional East Asian calendars, Woo-su is a crucial turning point signaling the start of spring. During this time, temperatures gradually rise and precipitation increases.
Climatic Characteristics
During Woo-su, average temperatures rise above freezing. In Korea, southern regions record around 5°C, while central regions see 2–3°C. However, daily temperature ranges are large, and late cold spells known as 'kkot-saem-chu-wi' (flower-jealous cold) may occur. Precipitation gradually shifts from snow to rain, and increased atmospheric water vapor leads to frequent fog.
Agriculture and Daily Life
In traditional agricultural societies, Woo-su was the time to begin preparing dry-field farming. Winter crops such as barley and wheat resume growth, and water management in fields becomes important. A common saying, 'Ice melts after Woo-su,' reflects that rivers and lakes begin to thaw, affecting fishing. In daily life, activities that had been dormant during winter increase, and attention must be paid to health management during the seasonal transition.
Seasonal Customs
A representative custom associated with Woo-su is 'Woo-su-maj-i' (welcoming Woo-su). On this day, people crack nuts or gather and eat spring herbs to pray for health. Around Woo-su, there is also a folk practice called 'bo-ri-ppu-ri-ppop-gi' (pulling barley roots), where the growth state of barley is checked to predict the year's agricultural fortune. On Jeju Island, rain falling on Woo-su is considered precious, called 'Woo-su-mul,' and it is believed that being exposed to this rain can cure skin diseases.
Modern Interpretation
In modern times, the meaning of Woo-su is being reinterpreted in the context of climate change. Due to global warming, average temperatures have risen, causing discrepancies between traditional solar terms and actual climate. For example, over the past decade, abnormal high-temperature events have become frequent during Woo-su in Korea, affecting crop growth cycles. Additionally, urbanization has increased the importance of rainwater management, drawing attention to Woo-su not just as a seasonal marker but also from the perspective of water resource management.
Recent Trends
As of 2024 and 2025, climate patterns during Woo-su are becoming more volatile. In February 2024, record-breaking heavy snowfall hit the Korean Peninsula, deviating from the traditional meaning of Woo-su. In 2025, the Korea Meteorological Administration officially began mentioning 'the gap between solar terms and actual weather due to climate change.' Furthermore, advances in smart agriculture have expanded the use of meteorological data from the Woo-su period for precision farming. For instance, IoT sensors enable real-time monitoring of soil moisture and temperature, allowing farming plans that combine traditional solar term information with modern data. In the environmental field, research is actively underway on how changes in precipitation during Woo-su affect water resource availability, emphasizing the importance of urban rainwater management systems.
Related Topics
- [[Ip-chun (Start of Spring)]]
- [[Gyeong-chip (Awakening of Insects)]]
- [[24 Solar Terms]]
- [[Climate Change]]
- [[Agricultural Meteorology]]
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