Are you familiar with the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar? And what do you know about Spring Equinox?

The 24 solar terms are 24 segments divided according to the sun’s annual rotation. Every solar term will last 15 days indicating seasonal changes and guiding the agricultural affairs and farming activities.

The Spring Equinox is the fourth solar term of the year that usually starts between March 19th and 22nd in the solar calendar. It will start at 5:35 p.m. Beijing Time on March 20th this year. The time of the day will equal the night, and afterwards the daytime will get longer than the night in the Northern Hemisphere. And the Southern Hemisphere will be quite the opposite.

[Poster: Mia]

As every branch is in blossom, the spring outing is highly recommended during this period. And other well-known traditional customs include standing eggs, flying kites, eating spring vegetables, and offering sacrifices to ancestors, etc.

However, some of the agenda might be affected a little bit by a forecast wave of cold air to arrive in the late afternoon of this Saturday.

The weather in Guangzhou will be cloudy with overcast spells or scattered rain tomorrow while cities including Shaoguan, Qingyuan and Zhaoqing will have more rainfall with a level 8 thunderstorm gale in some areas. The north will experience a temperature drop of 7℃ to 9℃ as the rest of the region 5℃ to 7℃.

So, instead of going outside, how about taking a look internally? Have you gone on a healthy diet so far this Spring?

[Poster: Mia]

One of the customs - eating spring vegetables is well observed in southern China. The “spring vegetables”, literally speaking, are the fresh vegetables in season. They are full of vitamins, so very healthy for your body to wake up from the state of “winter hibernation”.

And, as Confucius said, we don't eat things that are not in season.

[Poster: Mia]

The soup of Cantonese cuisine is also a good choice. With ingredients like ginseng and red dates it will make your meal tasty and nutritious every time.

What other Cantonese dishes will you recommend for a healthy diet in the spring? Or what’s the healthy cuisine in your country? 

 

Author | Fanny

Editor | Monica, Jerry