Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Traditional festivals - Introduction to Lichun, the twenty-four solar terms

Introduction to Lichun, the twenty-four solar terms

Lichun is the first of the twenty-four traditional Chinese solar terms, usually occurring on February 3 or 4 on the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In ancient China, people regarded Lichun as an important node because it was the starting point of spring plowing and the beginning of the lunar calendar.

Customs of Lichun

On the day of Lichun, people perform some traditional customs to express their expectation and blessings for the new spring. The following are some of the common customs of Lichun:

Eating Spring Cake

Spring cake is a traditional Chinese New Year food and one of the representative foods of Lichun. It is usually made of flour and bean paste filling, which is delicious and signifies "the return of spring and the revival of all things".

Drinking spring tea

Spring tea is a kind of fresh tea, usually picked after the beginning of spring. It is believed that the flavor of spring tea is fresh and fragrant, signifying the "blossoming of flowers in spring".

Playing spring bundles

Playing spring bundles is a traditional farming practice. On the day of the first day of spring, farmers would tie grain and grass into bundles to prepare for spring plowing.

Posting Spring Couplets

Spring Couplets are traditional New Year's paintings that are usually posted on doors. It is believed that Chunlian can pray for peace and happiness.

Significance of Lichun

Lichun is an important point that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In ancient China, people regarded Lichun as an auspicious day, as it represented new beginnings and hope. In modern times, Lichun has also become an important cultural festival, where people perform some traditional customs to express their expectations and blessings for the new spring.

Ending

Lichun is the first of the twenty-four traditional Chinese solar terms, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. On the day of Lichun, people will carry out some traditional customs to express their expectations and blessings for the new spring. The beginning of spring is an important point, which represents new beginnings and hopes. In this new beginning, we should cherish every moment to meet the challenges and opportunities in the future.