As the solar term Lichun (立春), the "Beginning of Spring," arrives on February 4, communities across Guangdong revive time-honored traditions that blend ancient agricultural wisdom with the spirit of seasonal renewal. Located near the Tropic of Cancer, the province is among the first regions in China to witness early signs of spring, even as cool temperatures linger.
In rural areas, customs like "Whipping the Spring Ox" (鞭春牛) symbolize the awakening of the land. Historically, local officials led ceremonies in which a clay or paper ox was struck with red-tasseled whips to "disperse winter's laziness" and encourage plowing.
The practice of "Announcing Spring" (报春) involves community figures dressed as Chun Guan (Spring Officials) visiting villages to recite poetry or sing, urging farmers to prepare for planting. In Guangdong, drumbeats historically echoed to drive away epidemics and invite prosperity.
"Biting the Spring" (咬春) centers on eating fresh greens and spring rolls. Families prepare crispy rolls stuffed with vegetables or minced meat, often accompanied by raw lettuce salads. The Cantonese name for lettuce (生菜, sang choi) sounds similar to the word for "growth," symbolizing wealth and vitality.
Another ritual, tanchun (燂春), involves burning camphor branches to cleanse homes of residual cold. Children then drink "spring tea" brewed from red beans and lotus seeds—a practice dating back to the pre-Qin era.
The 24 Solar Terms, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2016, continue to shape regional identity. In Guangdong, where flowers already dot the landscape, the Beginning of Spring remains a bridge between modern life and ancestral rhythms.
Author & Poster | Feng Huiting
