What is the Beginning of Spring and how did it develop?

What is the Beginning of Spring and how did it develop?
Introduction: The Beginning of Spring is the first of the twenty-four solar terms in the lunar calendar. It represents that the ice is gradually melting, and all things on earth are reviving, showing the vitality and vigor of spring. So, how is the beginning of spring divided? How did the Beginning of Spring develop? Now, let’s follow the editor to learn about it. New year, new atmosphere, there are countless topics about the Spring Festival. If you want to know more about the Lunar New Year, please continue to pay attention to Mr. Shui Mo’s exclusive Spring Festival special articles for you!

What is the Beginning of Spring?

Beginning of Spring is the first solar term in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar. The beginning of spring is divided astronomically, that is, when the sun reaches 315° of the ecliptic longitude.
The Beginning of Spring is one of the important traditional festivals among the Chinese people. "Li" means "beginning". Since the Qin Dynasty, China has always regarded the beginning of spring as the beginning of the first month of spring. As the saying goes, “A year’s plan begins with spring.” Spring is warm, with birds singing and flowers blooming. Spring is a time of growth, with farming and sowing.
Welcoming the spring on the day of the Beginning of Spring has a history of more than 3,000 years, and the Chinese people, from the official to the private sector, attach great importance to it. At the beginning of spring, the emperor personally led the three dukes, nine ministers, princes and officials to the eastern suburbs to welcome spring and pray for a good harvest. After returning, he should reward his ministers and issue decrees to benefit the people. This activity influenced the common people and became a national activity to welcome the Spring Festival from generation to generation.

Historical Development of Lichun

Origin of solar terms

The Beginning of Spring is not only the first solar term in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar, but it is also divided astronomically. In nature and in people's minds, spring means warm wind, singing birds and fragrant flowers; spring also means the growth of all things and farmers sow seeds. The ancient book "Qunfangpu" explains the Beginning of Spring as: "Li means the beginning of establishment. The spring air begins to be established." During the Beginning of Spring, the temperature, sunshine, and rainfall begin to rise and increase. But all this is just the beginning of spring for most of the country.
The Beginning of Spring is one of the important traditional festivals among the Chinese people. "Li" means "beginning". Since the Qin Dynasty, China has always regarded the beginning of spring as the beginning of the first month of spring. As the saying goes, "A year's plan begins with spring." The Beginning of Spring has been a traditional festival since ancient times. The Chinese people, from the government to the general public, attach great importance to it, and welcoming the spring on the day of the Beginning of Spring has a history of more than 3,000 years. At the beginning of spring, the emperor personally led the three dukes, nine ministers, princes and officials to the eastern suburbs to welcome spring and pray for a good harvest.
In the "Twelve Months Record" of "Lüshi Chunqiu" which was written in the late Warring States Period, there are eight solar terms named: Beginning of Spring, Vernal Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumnal Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice. These eight solar terms are the most important among the twenty-four solar terms. It marks the change of seasons and clearly divides the year into four seasons. Spring is from the Beginning of Spring to the Beginning of Summer, summer is from the Beginning of Summer to the Beginning of Autumn, autumn is from the Beginning of Autumn to the Beginning of Winter, and winter is from the Beginning of Winter to the Beginning of Spring.

Detailed explanation of solar terms

The Beginning of Spring is not only the first solar term in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar, but it is also divided astronomically. In nature and in people's minds, spring means sunny days, singing birds and blooming flowers; spring also means the growth of all things and farmers sow seeds. Therefore, the poem "Beginning of Spring" says: "The east wind brings rain to chase away the west wind, and the earth is filled with warmth and sunshine. All things come to life, the mountains and rivers wake up, and the farmers plan to farm again at the beginning of the year." (Zuo He Shui). In climatology, spring refers to the period when the average temperature is 10℃ to 22℃ per season (5 days). [3]
On the day of the Beginning of Spring, "the sun and the warm weather awaken all creatures, and all things enter spring." After the Beginning of Spring, all things come back to life and become full of vitality, and the four seasons begin from then on. There is such a legend in ancient times: when the beginning of spring is approaching, the county magistrate will take local celebrities to dig a hole in the ground, and then put feathers, chicken feathers and other light materials in the pit. At a certain time, the feathers and chicken feathers in the pit will float up from the pit. This moment is the beginning of spring, and people will start setting off firecrackers to celebrate, wishing for good weather and a good harvest in the next year. [4]
The ancient book "Qunfangpu" explains the Beginning of Spring as: "Li means the beginning of establishment. The spring air begins to be established." During the Beginning of Spring, the temperature, sunshine, and rainfall begin to rise and increase. But all this is just the beginning of spring for most of the country. [3]
The temperature rises after the beginning of spring and the busy spring farming season begins in most parts of the country. At the Beginning of Spring, the southern branch of the westerly jet stream in East Asia has begun to weaken, and the severe winter weather is about to end. However, the intensity and position of the northern branch of the westerly jet stream have remained basically unchanged, the Mongolian cold high pressure and the Aleutian low pressure are still relatively strong, and strong winds and cooling are still the main prevailing weather conditions. However, during the intervals between the influence of strong cold air, the frequency of southerly winds increased, accompanied by a significant rise in temperature. [5]
The Beginning of Spring is a point in time or a period of time. Chinese tradition divides the fifteen days of the Beginning of Spring into three stages: "The first stage is when the east wind thaws the ice, the second stage is when stinging insects begin to move, and the third stage is when fish swim up carrying ice." This means that the east wind brings warmth and the earth begins to thaw. Five days after the beginning of spring, hibernating insects slowly wake up in their holes. Five days later, the ice in the river begins to melt, and the fish start to swim to the surface of the water. At this time, there are still some broken ice pieces that have not completely melted on the water surface, floating on the water as if they were carried by the fish.
Summary: Through the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of the Beginning of Spring solar term and its historical development process. I wish you all good luck in the new year, strive to be the best, gradually achieve good results, and reap more fruits of victory!

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