The Beginning of Spring –立春"Lì Chūn"
"Lì Chūn," the first of the 24 solar terms in China, signals the start of spring 春季(chūn jì) , usually falling between February 3rd and 5th in the Gregorian calendar. It's not just a solar term but also an important traditional festival, embodying people's hopes for a new year and their reverence for nature.
春季(chūn jì), noun，spring
Example:
- The trees are covered with fresh green leaves in spring.
春季时，树木被嫩绿的叶子覆盖。
Chūn jì shí，shù mù bèi nèn lǜ de yè zi fù gài. - Spring is the season when nature comes back to life.
春季是大自然复苏的季节。
Chūn jì shì dà zì rán fù sū de jì jié
Origin of Lì Chūn
The origin of Lì Chūn can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn period when there were already eight solar terms including Lì Chūn, Lì Xià, Lì Qiū, and Lì Dōng. In the Qin Dynasty, Lì Chūn was officially established as the beginning of spring. The "Lexicon of Fragrant Flowers" mentioned: "Lì, the beginning. Spring begins and establishes." This indicates that Lì Chūn marks the start of spring, the prelude to all things coming back to life.
Customs of Lì Chūn
Welcoming Spring 迎春（yíng chūn）:
Welcoming Spring is a significant activity on Lì Chūn to greet the arrival of spring and the Kitchen God (Spring God). The day before Lì Chūn, people will hold a rehearsal, called "Yǎn Chūn," and on Lì Chūn day, there are various ceremonies and celebrations.
Spring Ox 打春牛（dǎ chūn niú）:
"Beating the Spring Ox" is a traditional custom on Lì Chūn. Folk artists make small clay oxen (Spring Oxen) and deliver them to households, symbolizing the welcome of spring and praying for a good harvest. In some places, there are also activities to whip spring oxen symbolically, encouraging agricultural work.
Biting Spring 咬春（yǎo chūn）:
On Lì Chūn, people eat Spring pancakes, Spring rolls, or radishes, known as "biting Spring." Spring pancakes are usually paired with various vegetables and meats, symbolizing the welcome of spring.
Wearing a Swallow 配燕子（pèi yàn zi）:
In Chang'an and the Guanzhong area, people wear a "swallow" made of colored silk on their chest during Lì Chūn, symbolizing happiness and good fortune.
Posting "Good for Spring"贴“宜春”（tiē yí chūn）:
On Lì Chūn, people post the words "Good for Spring" on doors, windows, or flowering branches to express their longing 向往(xiàng wǎng) for a better life.
向往(xiàng wǎng), noun，longing
Example:
- I have always had a deep longing to travel the world and explore different cultures.
我一直向往环游世界，探索不同的文化。
Wǒ yī zhí kě wàng huán yóu shì jiè，tàn suǒ bù tóng de wén huà - The children's longing for the summer vacation was evident in their excited chatter.
孩子们对暑假的向往从他们兴奋的交谈中显而易见。
Hái zǐ men duì shǔ jià de xiàng wǎng cóng tā men xīng fèn de jiāo tán zhōng xiǎn ér yì jiàn
Ancestral Worship and Paying Respect to the God of the Year 祭祖与拜太岁（jì zǔ yǔ bài tài suì）:
In many regions, people worship their ancestors on Lì Chūn, praying for peace and prosperity. Paying respects to the God of the Year is also an important custom on Lì Chūn, as the God of the Year is considered to be closely related to people's fortunes.
Phenomena of Lì Chūn
Ancient Chinese divided Lì Chūn into three sub-seasons: "The east wind melts the ice, hibernating insects start to stir, and fish rise to the frozen surface." During Lì Chūn, the warm east wind starts to blow, and the earth begins to thaw, awakening the dormant insects and causing the ice in rivers to melt.
Meaning of Lì Chūn
Lì Chūn is not just a solar term but a hopeful beginning. It symbolizes the rejuvenation and vitality of all things, reminding people that a new year is about to begin, a time to sow hope and plan for the future. As the ancient saying goes, "A year's plan starts with spring." Lì Chūn is the starting point of the new year, carrying people's hopes for a better life.
Lì Chūn is nature's gift and a legacy of traditional culture. On this special day, let's welcome the arrival of spring together and feel the warmth and vitality of nature.