Green seedling grows out of the soil. (Photo edited by Zhang Hui)

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. "Lichun", or Start of Spring in English is the first solar term that kicks off on Feb. 4 and ends on Feb. 19 this year.

Everything turns green with vigor and the weather gets warmer after the Spring starts. More interestingly, Chinese people observe the custom of "bite the spring" on the first day of "Lichun", eating carrots or spring pancakes and rolls wrapped around fresh vegetables and meat to celebrate the arrival of Spring.

In rural areas, it's a folk tradition for farmers to "beat the spring cattle" by using a colorful club or a whip to beat an earthen cattle after worshiping the God of Grain to dispel laziness of the cattles and pray for a good harvest. In ancient China, Start of Spring is when farmers begin their work in the field after a long winter break.

On the day, many households also paste spring couplets or paper swallows onto their doors for good luck.

As a Chinese saying goes, "the whole year's work depends on a good start in spring", it's also customary for people to make plans for the year on the first day of Start of Spring.