Chunfen, one of the twenty-four solar terms, begins on March 21 this year when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 0° (vernal equinox). On the day of Chunfen, the Sun is directly above the earth’s equator and the Northern and Southern Hemisphere have opposite seasons. Specifically, when Chunfen falls in the Northern Hemisphere, just the reverse - Qiufen - comes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Chunfen, the herald of spring, breathes life into the far-flung land of China, presenting an exuberant vernal scene with pleasant climate, twittering birds, lush greenery and blossoming flowers. All nature comes to life, especially those fiery peach and lily white plum blossoms which seem as if vying with each other in celebration of the forthcoming bumper crop. More often than not, Chunfen is also the real start of the folk activity - go hiking. Folk activities include: (I) Flying a kite. Mothers go out with their children to fly kites. Moreover, they will write their wishes on the kites in hopes of being seen by deities in heaven. (II) Wearing flowers in hair and drinking wine: people regardless of age and sex all wear flowers in hair. (III) Picking wild greens: With a long history, picking wild greens has emerged as early as the Southern Song dynasty according to the Ten Poems on Springtime by Zhu Shuzhen, a female poet of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279 AD). In terms of diet, there are spring vegetables, spring soups, spring wine and more.
Eat Spring Vegetables
(Photo/Sipa)
In the wake of Chunfen, spring thunder begins to reign supreme and all nature comes to life. So, it is the best time to tuck in spring vegetables. In the past, on the day of Chunfen, it’s a traditional custom to eat spring vegetables—a kind of wild amaranth. On that day, all villagers used to turn out to pick spring vegetables. After coming back home, they started to cook soup with those vegetables and fillets. In this way, “spring soup” was made. At the threshold of the once-a-year springtime, people acted on the traditional custom to pray for peace and health.
Exchange Spring Ox Picture
Photo/Sipa
In olden days, when Chunfen came, the ancients used to present spring ox picture to neighbors from door to door. The spring ox picture was printed on a red or yellow paper with all the solar terms of the year and the image describing a farmer was turning the earth with the help of an oxen-pulled plow. At that, people named it Spring Ox Picture. As a rule, the presenters, often played by folk artists with a silver tongue and a lovely singing voice, would say some lucky words about spring plowing and farming season. Yet, though what they needed say has been stereotyped, they often played it by ear according to different conditions of households.
Worship the Sun
Photo/Sipa
As early as the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC), the rite to worship the Sun on Chunfen has been performed. As often as not, the emperors fixed the venue at the suburbs of the capital city. In the case of Beijing, its history of building Ritan (Temple of the Sun) can date back to the Yuan dynasty (1217-1638 AD). And the existing one in it was built back in the ninth year under the reign of the Emperor Jiajing of the Ming dynasty (1530). Located to the southeast of Chaoyangmen Outer Street and to the east of Ritan Road, the Ritan Park, also known as Chaoritan, was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used to worship the solar deity (the Sun) on the day of Chunfen.
Make Wine
Photo/Sipa
Making wine on the day of Chunfen prevails in Zhejiang, Shanxi and other provinces. It is all the more so for Lingchuan County, Shanxi province. On the day, apart from making wine, Lingchuan people would pay homage to the agriculture deity with wine and vinegar sacrifices to pray for a bumper harvest. In cities and provinces like Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi and Zhejiang, making wine has been a widespread custom on the day of Chunfen.
Erect the Egg
Photo/Sipa
Legend has it that the egg can be most easily set upright on the day of Chunfen. According to historical literature, the custom—erecting the egg on Chunfen—can trace its history back to 4,000 years ago. At that time, the ancients established this custom in celebration of the arrival of spring. Until today, many regions in China will hold egg erecting contests on the day of Chunfen.
Fly a Kite
Photo/Sipa
Flying a kite is a traditional folk custom on Chunfen. For centuries whenever Chunfen approaches, kids will fly kites to welcome the coming of spring. Aside from kids, adults will join in the activity on the day. Yet, the kites supplied on the market are often very small and suitable for kids. So, if adults want to have a try, they will make a big one by themselves. Well, then, a contest about whose kite flies higher is just around the corner.
|
上一篇：
发表、查看更多关于该信息的评论 
将本信息发给好友 
打印本页
