What customs mark the Rain Water solar term? In western Sichuan folk tradition, this period brims with imagination and human warmth. The custom is called "Catching the First Passersby."
Whether rain falls or not, the day carries a misty, poetic atmosphere: At dawn's first light, young women stand by fog-shrouded roadsides, holding their young sons or daughters, awaiting the first passerby.As soon as someone passes by—regardless of gender or age—they stop the person, press their child to the ground, and perform a kowtow to adopt them as a godson or goddaughter.
This practice is known locally as "Zhuang Bai Ji," meaning "chance adoption"—there is no predetermined target; whoever happens to be encountered becomes the chosen one.The purpose of finding a godfather through "crashing the godparent ceremony" is to ensure the child's smooth and healthy growth. Of course, this custom is now generally preserved only in rural areas. In cities, people usually arrange godparent relationships among friends, classmates, or colleagues, gathering together only during festivals and holidays...