Commemorative activities on the day of "Lichun" have a long history, dating back at least 3,000 years. At that time, the deity Ju Mang, also known as the God of Grain, was worshipped as the spring god presiding over agricultural affairs.According to historical records, the Zhou Dynasty's Lichun ceremony unfolded as follows: Three days prior, the emperor began fasting and abstinence. On Lichun Day, he personally led the Three Dukes, Nine Ministers, feudal lords, and nobles to the eastern suburbs, eight li away, to welcome spring and pray for bountiful harvests. Why was the eastern suburb chosen?This was because the God of Spring, Ju Mang, whom they worshipped, resided in the east. Later, the location of the Spring Welcoming ceremony expanded beyond the eastern suburbs. For instance, the Song Dynasty text Mengliang Lu records: "On the day of Lichun, officials from the chancellor down entered the court to offer congratulations." This demonstrates that the Spring Welcoming ceremony had moved from the countryside into the imperial court, becoming a mutual exchange of greetings among officials.
By the Qing Dynasty, the spring welcoming ceremony evolved into a major folk event attracting widespread public attention and participation. According to Records of the Seasons in Yanjing: "One day before the Start of Spring, officials of Shuntian Prefecture welcomed spring at the Spring Field one li outside Dongzhimen.On the day of the Spring Festival, the Ministry of Rites presented the Spring Mountain Throne, while the Shuntian Prefecture presented the Spring Ox Painting. After the ceremony, they returned to the prefecture office, led the Spring Ox, and struck it, calling it 'beating the spring.'" The Qing-era text "Records of Qing Splendor" further noted that the rituals for worshiping deities and honoring ancestors on the Spring Festival, though not as grand as those on the first day of the first lunar month, surpassed the scale of the Winter Solstice celebrations.
(1) God of Spring (Jumang)
Jumang, the God of Spring, embodies the spirit of vegetation and life. Depicted as a human-faced bird with a ruler in hand, he presides over spring affairs. The Zhou dynasty established the Eastern Hall to welcome spring, indicating Jumang's worship has ancient origins.
In Zhejiang, spring welcoming rituals occur the day before Lichun. On this day, the God of Spring is carried out of the city and up the mountain, while the Tai Sui is also honored. As the deity presiding over the current year, Tai Sui governs its fortunes and misfortunes, making him widely worshipped by the people. The welcoming procession features grand musical bands, palanquin parades, folk opera performances, Yangko dances, and ox-beating rituals.After the deity is carried from the countryside into the city, crowds line the streets to watch and throw grains, a tradition known as "watching the Spring Welcome." In Shandong, the Spring Welcome and Ju Mang sacrifice predict the year's weather based on Ju Mang's attire: a hat signifies a warm spring, a bare head indicates a cold spring, shoes foretell abundant spring rain, and bare feet suggest little spring rain.Other regions display New Year paintings bearing phrases like "Spring Breeze Brings Good Fortune." In Guangzhou, drumming rituals drive away epidemics and pray for peace around the start of spring. (II) Welcoming Spring Welcoming Spring is a crucial activity for the start of spring, requiring thorough preparation and rehearsals, commonly known as "rehearsing spring." Only then can the formal welcoming ceremony take place on the day of the start of spring. This ceremony occurs the day before the start of spring, aiming to usher back spring and the god of spring.A Spring Official is appointed for the ceremony, typically played by a beggar or a courtesan, who announces the arrival of Spring. Historically, imperial calendars featured illustrations of the God of Spring and the Spring Ox. Late Qing publications like the Dian Shi Zhai Pictorial depicted "Turtle Boys Announcing Spring" and "Copper Drums Driving Away Epidemics," both significant Spring Festival activities of the time.
(3) Whipping the Spring Ox
The custom of whipping the spring ox, also known as whipping the earth ox, originated early and persisted over time, though it shifted to spring. It flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties, particularly after Emperor Renzong of Song promulgated the "Treatise on the Earth Ox," which further spread this practice, making it a significant element of folk culture.The significance of whipping the spring ox extended beyond dispelling cold and promoting spring plowing; it also held certain magical connotations. In Shandong folk traditions, the earthen ox was smashed, and people scrambled for its earth, a practice called "grabbing spring," with obtaining the ox's head considered auspicious. Other activities included tea-picking rituals to honor the spring ox, while Hubei regions also held "Tortoise Herald of Spring" ceremonies.Beyond its presence in imperial calendars, the Spring Ox image was widely printed in New Year paintings across regions as an auspicious motif during the Spring Festival.
Zhejiang's Spring Ox welcoming ceremony had distinctive features. Participants bowed to the ox in sequence. After the ritual, crowds rushed to break the ox, scrambling for its clay to scatter in their cattle pens.This practice reveals that whipping the Spring Ox was also a fertility ritual—believed that scattering its soil in cattle pens would enhance cattle reproduction.
(4) Biting Spring
The Start of Spring also has its own foods, primarily spring pancakes, radishes, and platters of pungent vegetables. In the south, spring rolls are popular, with many vendors hawking them in the markets.Two points warrant attention here: First, while historically "biting spring" referred specifically to eating radishes, it actually encompasses consuming spring pancakes as well. Second, the term "seeking spring" signifies welcoming spring. Why radishes? A common belief is that they alleviate spring fatigue. In truth, "biting spring" extends beyond this purpose; beyond combating lethargy, its primary function is to invigorate the body, helping people maintain youthfulness and ward off aging.The Five Spicy Platter consists of five pungent ingredients—scallions, garlic, chili peppers, ginger, and mustard greens—blended together as a condiment for meals.
After the start of spring, people enjoy venturing out to savor the blossoms on warm, sunny days, commonly known as "exploring spring outside the city" or "treading spring." This also represents the primary form of spring outings.