When Grain rain comes, it is a good season to enjoy Peony in Luoyang. There is a saying which goes “Three days after the Grain Rain, one can enjoy peonies in the garden.” Peonies blossom in the late spring months. Therefore, the best time to enjoy peonies is after the Grain Rain. This is also how its name, Grain Rain flower, came about.

Peony In Love, written by Ouyang Xiu, a great literary figure of the North Song Dynasty (960-1127) wrote that “The best place and time to enjoy the peony is in Luo Yang，Henan province, during Grain Rain.” Qingjia Lu, written by Gu Lu, went” Enjoying the peony during the Grain Rain period.” The right time to enjoy peonies in Wudi Suzhou is also after the Grain Rain.

At this time, peony blossoms in succession. Where there are peonies, there will be ladies and gentlemen. Some are with some candles burning; others are enjoying the peonies while tasting the wine. This is also how it got its name Flower Meeting. Gu Lu described this in his work Qing Jialu that “Whether in high officials or in humble families, enjoying peonies is a pleasurable thing.”

The gardens were opened to tourists, allowing them to appreciate the beautiful sights. In ancient times, these crowds were named Crowds of Appreciating Flowers.

Bai Juyi, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) wrote in his poem titled Lamenting Peony, to express his feelings of the regrets when the flowers start withering.

There is a love story surrounding both the peonies and the Grain Rain. It dates back to the Tang Dynasty when Gaozong was in power. A youth by the name of “Gu Yu” fell in love with a fairy named “Mu Dan”. Mu Dan agreed to marry Gu Yu on April 8th of the second year. Yet the fairy was imprisoned by her foes when she did not agree to save her enemy. After innumerable trials and hardships, Gu Yu saved the fairy. When they were on their way back, Gu Yu was shot by the fairy’s enemy. After that, Mu Dan led all the flowers to commemorate her beloved Gu Yu.

More information you can read：Grain Rain