Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Rain (yǔ) Kangxi Strokes: 23 Page 1375, Entry 02 Zhengzitong says: Pronounced mei. Xiang Oudong states: In the Jiangnan region, rain that falls in the third month is called welcoming-plum rain, and rain that falls in the fifth month is called sending-plum rain. There is a traditional saying: During the yellow plum season, every household experiences rain. Zhang Mengxi argues: The word for plum should be written as the character for mold, referring to the hot and humid air within the rain. Moldy rain easily stains clothing, hence it is also called meiyuan, meaning clothing damaged by moldy rain. According to the Erya and the Record of Local Customs (Fengtuji), it is consistently written as plum rain. The character for mold is synonymous in meaning with the character for mildew.