Spring Equinox: flowers bloom, day and night balanced
Chunfen, the fourth of the twenty-four solar terms, represents the midpoint of spring. Falling on March 20-22 each year when the sun reaches 0° of ecliptic longitude, Chunfen literally means "spring divides equally." On Chunfen day, the sun shines directly on the equator, and day and night are of equal length globally—each exactly 12 hours.
During Chunfen, spring vitality flourishes and all things revive. From this day onward, the sun's direct rays gradually shift northward, and daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere gradually lengthen as temperatures continue to rise. In most regions of China, overwintering crops enter their spring growth phase—an ideal time for spring planting. There is a farming adage: "At Chunfen the wheat awakens; a moment then is worth a thousand in gold."
First Aspect - Swallows Return: Swallows fly back from the south and begin building their nests and breeding.
Second Aspect - Thunder Begins to Sound: Spring thunder begins to rumble loudly, awakening all things on the earth.
Third Aspect - Lightning Begins to Flash: Lightning begins to appear in the sky, and spring rain comes accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Rest: Go to bed early and rise early, maintaining a regular sleep schedule. As Chunfen divides day and night equally, wellness should also emphasize the balance of yin and yang. Gradually increase outdoor activities, but avoid excessive fatigue.
Diet: Favor a balanced diet that maintains equilibrium between cold and heat. Eat abundant vegetables and fruits such as spinach, Chinese chives, spring bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. Minimize spicy and oily foods; include neutral and sweet-tasting foods like honey and red dates.
Exercise: Walking, jogging, tai chi, and yoga—gentle exercises—are suitable. The bright spring weather makes this an excellent time for spring outings and flower viewing. Exercise intensity should be moderate, with comfort as the goal.
Emotions: Maintain a cheerful mood and emotional calm. During Chunfen, as all things grow, align yourself with nature and cultivate a positive, optimistic mindset.
Standing Eggs: A folk tradition on Chunfen day involves "standing eggs"—balancing fresh eggs upright on a table surface. It is said that Chunfen day makes this feat easiest to accomplish.
Spring Sacrifices: Around Chunfen is a time for ancestor veneration and tomb sweeping, also called "spring sacrifices." People visit ancestral graves to offer tributes and express remembrance.
Eating Spring Vegetables: In the Lingnan region, eating spring vegetables is a Chunfen tradition. "Spring vegetables" refers to wild amaranth picked and cooked in soup with fish slices, called "spring soup," symbolizing peace and health.
Distributing Spring Ox Pictures: During Chunfen season, pictures of spring oxen appear being distributed door-to-door—printed on red or yellow paper, showing the lunar calendar divisions and farmers working the fields for the entire year.
Chunfen is the fourth of the twenty-four solar terms and marks the midpoint of the ninety-day spring season, corresponding to Autumnal Equinox. Chunfen and Autumnal Equinox, along with Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice, are known as the "Two Equinoxes and Two Solstices."
Astronomical Significance: At Chunfen, the sun reaches 0° of ecliptic longitude—the sun shines directly on the equator, and day and night are nearly equal globally. From this day forward, the sun's direct rays begin to enter the Northern Hemisphere. In Northern Hemisphere regions, daylight hours begin to exceed night hours, with the Southern Hemisphere experiencing the opposite.
Agricultural Guidance: Chunfen is an important turning point for agricultural activities. As the saying goes, "At Chunfen wheat awakens; a moment then is worth a thousand in gold." Overwintering crops enter their growth phase, requiring strengthened field management. In the Jiangnan region, this is the time for early rice seedling cultivation and tea plant budding.
