立春 Beginning of spring

Beginning of Spring ( 立春 Lichun )

The Beginning of Spring, the first of the twenty-four solar terms, marks the start of spring.

Time

• Gregorian Calendar: Generally falls between February 3rd and 5th of each year.
• Lunar Calendar: The date is not fixed and may fall in the twelfth month of the lunar year or the first month of the following year.

Meaning

• Natural Significance: The Beginning of Spring is the start of the spring season, indicating that the temperature is gradually rising and all things are beginning to recover.
• Cultural Significance: In traditional Chinese culture, the Beginning of Spring is an important festival, and people hold various activities to welcome the spring.

Customs

• Welcoming Spring: In ancient times, there was a “Welcoming Spring” ceremony in which people would worship the God of Spring and pray for a good harvest.
• Beating the Spring Ox: A spring ox is made of clay or paper, and then whipped to symbolize urging laziness and encouraging spring plowing.
• Eating Spring Pancakes: Spring pancakes are a type of thin pancake filled with various vegetables, symbolizing the welcoming of the fresh breath of spring.
• Pasting Spring Couplets: Spring couplets are couplets pasted on doors, and their content is usually auspicious words for the New Year.