GEORGE TOWN: With the clock ticking before the auspicious window closed, Lim Ming Yao successfully deposited money into his bank account, with the hope that this would pave the way for a successful year ahead.
The 32-year-old deposited RM288, believing that this symbolic act would bring blessings and prosperity for his family’s business.
“I have been depositing money during Li Chun for over 10 years now.
“The amount varies each year, but it always ends with the number eight,” he said at a bank in Lebuh Pantai yesterday.
Lim recalled that the largest sum he had ever deposited for Li Chun was RM888.
In Chinese culture, the number “eight” in Cantonese rhymes with “fatt” which means prosperity.
Born in the Year of the Monkey, Lim managed to complete the transaction just in time at exactly 12.50pm, within the auspicious time to carry out this ritual this year, which was between 9am and 1pm.
Li Chun, which falls on either Feb 3 or 4 every year, is the first period of the 24 solar terms.
Besides the practice of depositing money into one’s bank account, Li Chun is also a day celebrated by the Chinese diaspora around the world, especially the farming community.
Traditionally, farmers would sow their first seeds on this day with the hope of a bountiful harvest.
Although Li Chun signifies the beginning of springtime, over time this practice has evolved into “sowing” cash into bank accounts instead, with the similar intention of ushering in prosperity.
Other practices include eating pancakes and spring rolls to symbolise a new start.
Many also practice “biting the spring” by consuming fresh vegetables like scallions or lettuce, believing this will bring good health and vitality for the year.
There is also another tradition of eggs standing upright during Li Chun, which symbolises the smooth reception of the Earth’s yang energy and promotes prosperity.
