Audio/Xinhua

Chasing the tail of winter, the spring is drawing near. The Beginning of Spring, or "Lichun" (立春) in Chinese pinyin, the first of the 24 solar terms, begins this year on Feb. 3 and ends on Feb. 18. Concluded by ancestors from the shifting weathers and agricultural production, Lichun was well regarded as a guide for sowing and plowing in ancient China.

Three phases of Lichun

In the first phase of Lichun, the spring breeze brings with us a rise in temperature, and the frozen surface of the ground begins to thaw, indicating the revival of hibernated creatures. The second phase of Lichun sees dormant insects awake in nests as the weather gets a little warmer. Fish swims to the surface of water in the third phase, trying to break the melting ice to feel the warmth. Since most areas in China features a relatively low temperature, the day of Lichun is rather a prelude to the true spring.

Photo/Xinhua

Traditions to uphold in times

The Beginning of Spring guides the lives and traditions of hundreds of millions of Chinese people, as sowing at the right time is essential for a good harvest. To welcome Lichun, ancient emperors and officials fast for days as the solar term approaches, then dress up and hold grand rituals on this day to worship the God of the Spring, praying for a good harvest in the coming year. Festivities surely are not only for the ruling ones. Common traditions such as "spanking the spring" are popular among the folks. As oxen have helped Chinese farmers for nearly 3,000 years, people have the custom to show respect to cattle by "stirring" a head of paper or clay-made cattle with colored wooden sticks. This is meant to drive out the cattle's winter laziness and encourage farmers to prepare for spring plowing.

Photo/CGTN

Dishes as part of the festivity

Many of the rituals signaling the start of a new year are not common in urban areas today, yet traditional food with varied flavors is still popular across the country. Dishes such as spring pancakes and spring rolls are the must-eats for people to "bite the spring." To make a spring pancake, flour is to be mixed with water first, then wrapped with cooked fillings. The fillings can be varied from fresh vegetables to meat, and the cooked spring pancake provides an enjoyable taste as well as rich nutrition. The spring roll is more commonly seen in southern China. Both the pancake and roll are rich in the selection of ingredients, while the spring roll features a more crispy taste. Also, dashes of vinegar and soy sauce help to add vibrant freshness to the rolls. On the day of Lichun, to take a bite of these pastries is to take a bite of the spring.

Spring rolls are the must-eats for people to "bite the spring." (Photo/Xinhua)

The old traditions may not be upheld every spring, nor are the traditional dishes necessarily to be enjoyed right on the day. The thing is, Lichun well marks the beginning of spring and indicates the coming of warmer days. All these traditions are embedded with people's wish for a better life, in the past and present. When Lichun arrives, we surely know it's time to sow the seeds of crops, and also, the seeds of hope.

Source: Xinhua, China Daily
Editor: Lv Yun