The word Lichun (立春), meaning the “Beginning of Spring,” arrives as a quiet recalibration of the world. Falling around Feb. 4, it stands as the inaugural chapter of the 24 solar terms — an ancient East Asian calendar system that serves as a rhythmic pulse for the natural year. The mere mention of spring signals a profound mental shift: the recession of winter’s lethargy and the slow, inexorable rise of renewal.
This system is a brilliant relic of agrarian ingenuity. By meticulously tracking the sun’s annual path, ancient observers divided the year into 24 segments, each a snapshot of shifting climates and biological milestones. The cycle begins with the stirrings of Lichun and concludes with the frost of Dahan (大寒, “Major Cold”), guiding centuries of farmers and continuing to inform the region’s cuisine, wellness, and philosophy. In 2016, UNESCO recognized this living almanac as an Intangible Cultural Heritage — a testament to its enduring role in bridging humanity and the cosmos.
Etymologically, li means “to establish.” Lichun is not the full bloom of spring, but its threshold — the moment the season’s faint signs first enter the collective consciousness. Historically, linguistic boundaries were different; “Spring Festival” once referred to Lichun itself, rather than the Lunar New Year. It is a reminder that language, like the seasons, is in constant flux.
Classical Chinese texts describe this awakening with poetic precision: “On Lichun, the east wind thaws the earth. Five days later, hibernating insects stir. After another five, fish rise toward the fracturing ice.” The ancient Chinese text the Book of Rites (禮記), chronicles grand imperial processions where the “Son of Heaven” led officials to the eastern suburbs to welcome the spring — a state-level recognition of the season’s importance that has persisted for more than two millennia.
The calendar also produces curious anomalies, such as the “Double Spring.” In lunar years containing an intercalary month, the year is bookended by two Lichuns. The Year of the Snake, this past year, is one such rarity, witnessing the first arrival on Feb. 3 last year and a second on Wednesday.
In Taiwan, this transition remains a vital cultural pivot. The most striking vestige of this past is the ritual of “whipping the spring ox.” By striking an effigy of clay or paper, practitioners symbolically banish winter’s sloth to prepare for the labor of the plow. While the rite has largely vanished from the nation’s glass-and-steel cities, it endures as a vivid spectacle at sites such as Tainan’s Luermen Matsu Temple. Simultaneously, the custom of “biting the spring” — consuming spring rolls or pungent radishes — serves as a physical vow of resilience. As the proverb suggests: “If one can chew the tough vegetable root, one can accomplish anything.”
Beyond the fields, Lichun is a spiritual reset. Regarded as a turning point for personal fortune, it is a day for “seeding” wealth — often through symbolic bank deposits of auspicious amounts such as NT$168. To ensure a “good start,” traditional taboos hold firm: Avoiding arguments and medical visits is preferred, prioritizing harmony and health as the bedrock for the months ahead.
As the cold of the previous year’s Dahan finally retreats, the world brims with generative energy. It is a time for human endeavors to stir anew. In aligning with these ancient rhythms, we might all find a cue to harness the rising east wind and propel our own beginnings into the light.
Hugo Tseng has a doctorate in linguistics, and is a lexicographer and former chair of Soochow University’s English Department.
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