Chrysanthemums are used in the cleansing ritual because they are affordable, widely available and are ‘yang’ – they need exposure to the sun.
In ancient China, a Spring ritual would mark the start of the planting season. The Emperor would use a whip to touch an ox to symbolically coax it to plough the land, says Sinologist Dr Lai Kuan Fook. The ceremony, witnessed by government officials, was a reminder to farmers to prepare for the season, he says.
“The event was held on a plot of land close to the palace after Chinese New Year celebrations. The Emperor wanted to remind the people that the winter holidays were over, and herald the arrival of Lap Chun (Cantonese, or Lichun in Mandarin) or the beginning of Spring,” he said.
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