BEIJING: To welcome the arrival of spring, Chinese people across the nation observe a series of seasonal rituals such as Biting the Spring, Whipping the Spring and Speaking the Spring.
The customs reflect people’s hopes for renewal, good fortune and a prosperous farming year, while also marking the transition from winter stillness to spring vitality.
The SCMP explains why.
Biting the spring
Known as Yao Chun in Chinese, this is a traditional custom that involves eating seasonal foods such as spring pancakes and radishes to welcome the new year.
Rooted in the principle of using seasonal ingredients and following the natural order to maintain health, the practice symbolises hope for a bountiful harvest, prosperity for both people and livestock, and blessings of good fortune in the year ahead.
It dates back to the Han dynasty (206-220) when people ate fresh seasonal vegetables to welcome the arrival of spring.
During the Northern Wei (386–535) and Jin (265–420) dynasties, this tradition evolved into the popular practice of consuming the Five Spicy Dishes, a mix of pungent vegetables like spring onions, garlic and leeks.
The ingredients were believed to stimulate the body’s vital energy, balance the five internal organs and ward off disease.
In the Tang dynasty (618–907), the tradition evolved into the spring platter, which further developed into spring pancakes, thin, pan-fried wraps used to encase various spring vegetables by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).
In the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), eating radishes gained symbolic meaning, as the saying goes: “If you can bite through its grass roots, you can accomplish anything.”
This metaphor came to embody resilience, perseverance and the strength to endure hardship.
Whipping the spring
This traditional ritual involves striking a symbolic spring ox to embrace the new season and pray for a good harvest.
In the past, a spring ox was crafted using soil from beneath mulberry trees.
On the given day, the ox was ceremonially whipped with red and green rods to symbolise the awakening of spring and the hope for agricultural abundance.
The spring ox typically stands four feet tall, representing the four seasons, and measures eight feet in length, symbolising the eight solar terms in each season.
Its body is decorated with seasonal patterns, emphasising its symbolic connection to the agricultural calendar.
On the eve of spring, the ox is taken to the local county government, where officials strike it three times with red and green whips or willow branches before handing it over to the people, who then take turns hitting it.
The broken pieces of soil are eagerly collected and placed in livestock pens to bring good luck and blessings for the year.
In some areas, a parade is held, where participants walk through the streets beating gongs and drums and singing festive songs.
When the spring ox passes through the market, it is customary for people to scatter beans and sesame seeds as an offering, which is believed to help children ward off skin rashes and promote good health.
Speaking the spring
This is a traditional folk storytelling art popular in parts of Hanzhong and Ankang in Shaanxi province, northwestern China, as well as in northern Sichuan, eastern Gansu and Shiqian in Guizhou province, southern China.
Dressed in traditional attire, the performers, known as Spring Officials, travel from village to village, going door-to-door to deliver spring couplets.
They also encourage farmers to begin ploughing and remind them of seasonal changes and the importance of timely sowing.
The content of Speak the Spring is highly flexible and improvisational, often conveying heartfelt blessings for a prosperous and vibrant spring season.
According to historical records, this custom dates back to the Tang dynasty. - South China Morning Post
