Beginning of Spring Customs

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Beginning of Spring Customs

The Beginning of Spring (Li Chun in Chinese), as the name indicates, marks the start of a new spring, and usually falls on the 4th or 5th of February, when many customs are observed among Chinese people.

Whipping the Spring Ox

As recorded in "A General History of Chenghai County" of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when the first day of spring came, the government, with a group of people, would go to the suburbs for a spring celebration. Usually, a ceremony was held, after which people would whip the ox, known as "Da Chun Niu" in Chinese.

This tradition dates back to as early as the Zhou Dynasty (11th century-771BC). Prior to the Beginning of Spring every year, the government would prepare a clay image of the god of grain as well as a clay ox.

When the day came, government officials, followed by large crowds, would go to the Grain God Pavilion and the Clay Ox Platform previously placed in the suburb's eastern part. One person of the celebrating team, dressed in black, would drive a black wagon with a black flag on it, while others would blow trumpets, sing songs, dance or wave flags.

Upon arrival, a sacrificial ceremony was held before the whipping of the clay ox. By the time of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties, celebrations had become even grander.

The custom of whipping the spring ox was meant to encourage farming. Even today, the custom, which is closely related to agriculture, remains in Chaozou and Shantou of South China's Guangdong Province, since the soil in those areas is fertile and productive. However, some of the details have been changed; for example, people might not whip a clay ox anymore.

Carrying the Spring Beauty

As recorded in a travel log, during the Qing Dynasty, there was an activity named "carrying the spring beauty" (Tai Chun Se in Chinese) on the day marking the beginning of spring in Chaozhou and Shantou.
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