How to celebrate the solar term of vernal equinox?
The vernal equinox is one of the 24 solar terms, which usually appears around March 20 of the Gregorian calendar. In China, vernal equinox is an important solar term, and people have some special customs to celebrate it. Among them, vernal equinox is the most famous custom.
The vernal equinox means to stand an egg on a flat surface at the vernal equinox. There are many theories about the origin of this custom, one of which is based on the natural phenomenon that "on the vernal equinox, eggs can stand upright in the middle of the day". There is also a saying that ancient farmers would sacrifice eggs to the land god at the vernal equinox, and erecting eggs is an expression of respect and praying for a bumper harvest.
The way to erect an egg is very simple. Just find a balance point on the plane to make the egg stand upright. Although it looks simple, it is very difficult to operate in practice. Standing eggs requires patience, care and stability, and sometimes it takes many attempts to succeed. In modern times, oviposition at the vernal equinox has become a traditional cultural and recreational activity, and many people will use this festival to challenge their patience and skills.
Besides laying eggs on the vernal equinox, there are other customs on the vernal equinox, such as picking spring tea, climbing mountains and enjoying spring. No matter what kind of custom it is, it reflects people's love and blessing for spring.
Second, send spring cattle at the vernal equinox
Sending spring cattle is a way to express your blessing and care for others. Generally speaking, spring cattle are given to people who live in rural areas and engage in agricultural production. The way to send spring cows is to make paper cows lifelike, with some items symbolizing spring, such as flowers, vegetables and fresh fruits. And then decorated with HongLing, and finally sent to farmers' homes. While sending spring cattle, we should also wish farmers a bumper harvest and peace and happiness in a year.
The custom of sending spring cattle originated from the lifestyle and cultural tradition of ancient agricultural society. The vernal equinox is a traditional solar term, which means that winter has passed and spring is coming. In ancient times, the vernal equinox was an important period of agricultural production, and people had to start preparing for farming and sowing. The custom of sending spring cattle is to pray for good weather and good harvest in the coming year and express love and blessing to farmers.
With the changes of the times, the form of sending spring cattle has also changed. Now, folk artists in some places will make spring cattle with natural materials such as wheat straw and vegetation, which increases the atmosphere of the festival and the connotation of folk culture.
Third, the vernal equinox sticks to the sparrow's mouth
The custom of sticking a bird's mouth originated in ancient times. People believe that birds will leave their nests at the vernal equinox. Therefore, sticking the beak on doorframes, windows and other places can prevent the beak from entering the home, and at the same time prevent the invasion of evil spirits.
The method of sticking sparrow's mouth is very simple, just prepare some yellow paper strips or pieces of paper, then dip them in sugar water or other sticky substances, and then stick them on doorframes, windows and other places. When sticking the sparrow's mouth, you need to be careful not to hurt the sparrow or other animals.
Although great changes have taken place in the living environment, the custom of sticking birds' mouths has remained in some areas and has become a folk cultural tradition. This custom not only reflects people's respect for the natural environment and animals, but also inherits ancient cultural traditions and wisdom.
Fourth, enjoy flowers, drink and fly kites.
Tao Lichun shared a pot of wine. When will the drunken mother stop? At the vernal equinox, the weather gets warmer, birds and flowers are everywhere, and it is full of vitality. When they have time, they are friends who go to the spring outing to enjoy flowers and set up tents for outdoor outings. These are the ways people pray for a new year and a new beginning. I hope the whole family can be safe and smooth, healthy and live a long life!