中文摘要：

民间信仰有协调人与自然，人与人之间关系的功能，在维系社会安定中发挥积极的作用。祷雨是协调官民关系和人与自然关系的祭祀活动。地方官员把祷雨作为解救干旱的重要活动，是拯救民众的爱民之举。祷雨的神祗有山神、龙王、海神、通远王、妈祖、岳帝爷、城隍、佛、仙等。民众认为，祷雨灵验乃山川神祗响应效灵，也是地方官员诚心祈祷感动天地而赐雨，于是“吏庆于朝，民歌于野”，送匾额答谢神祗，建甘雨亭、喜雨亭、灵雨亭或立碑颂德，以答谢官员。

英文摘要：

Folk beliefs help to coordinate the relationship between man and nature as well as the relationship between people. It plays an important role in maintaining a stable society. Rain-praying is a ritual that coordinates the relationship between human beings and nature as well as the relationship between common people and government officials. Local officials regard rain-praying as an important activity to relieve the draught and a practice that demonstrates their care for common people. They pray to Mountain God, Dragon Kings, Sea God, Tongyuan King, Mazu, Town God, Buddha and other Immortals. Common people believe the rain comes down because the nature and gods answer the prayer. And they also believe that the nature is moved by the sincerity of the government officials. Hence the officials hold official celebrations and common people are grateful of the rain and thank gods by erecting Ganyu Pavilion （Sweet Rain Pavilion）, Xiyu Pavilion （Joyful Rain Pavilion）, or set up stone tablets to show their gratuity to the officials.