The difference between beginning of spring and vernal equinox

The vernal equinox and beginning of spring are two of the 24 solar terms, and beginning of spring is earlier than the vernal equinox.

Beginning of spring is the first of the 24 solar terms, that is, from February 3 to 5 in the Gregorian calendar every year, and the vernal equinox is the fourth solar term, that is, from March 19 to 22 every year. It was as cold as winter in early spring, but it was already warm at the vernal equinox.

Beginning of spring is the beginning of a year, and it is also called "the first year of a year". On this day, people have customs and activities such as welcoming the spring, spring outing, offering sacrifices to the spring god and offering sacrifices to Tai Sui. This time is usually the Lunar New Year, the weather is as cold as winter, and there is often a "cold spring". Like the northeast region farther north or the world of ice and snow.

But the plan of the year lies in spring, and at this time agriculture will prepare for spring planting. In ancient times, sacrifices were held in various places at this time to pray for a good year.

The vernal equinox is the fourth solar term in spring. It's almost two months since beginning of spring, and it's in the third month of the lunar calendar. On the day of vernal equinox, the northern and southern hemispheres are as long as day and night, then the sun moves northward, and the days in the northern hemisphere are getting longer and longer, with more and more sunshine and rising temperature.

In this season, the sun is shining, birds are singing and flowers are fragrant, plants are growing, and everything begins to grow, which is completely different from the bleak scene in winter. In agriculture, this time has also entered the busy farming season.