The Beginning of Spring: embracing fortune as all things renew

As the sixth day of the Chinese New Year dawns, the Beginning of Spring arrives with it.May the spring breeze caress your dreams and all your paths be smooth and bright!

Mauree and teacher Gu at Wushan Square

As the first of the twenty-four solar terms, the Beginning of Spring marks the official start of the spring season. From this time, it seems as if the world has been enchanted, with all things beginning to revive and the spring atmosphere gradually intensifying. Moreover, since the solar term usually falls around the Spring Festival, it carries profound cultural significance.

Mateyu Loveness Maureen, a student at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University who stayed in Hangzhou for the Spring Festival, was attracted by the strong festive atmosphere. She and her teacher Gu Jingjing visited the New Year’s Fair at Wushan Square in Hangzhou, where she discovered that the customs of the Beginning of Spring are hidden in everyday life.

Solar Terms and the Universe is a special video series jointly produced by Hangzhoufeel, the International Education School of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, and the International Relations Office of ZCMU. Each episode provides you with intimate knowledge about Solar Terms and health tips.

The Beginning of Spring this year holds special significance, symbolizing double blessings. Follow our video to explore the details!

This lunar year is a "Double Spring Year," featuring two Beginnings of Spring. The first occurs on February 3rd, while the second falls on February 4th, 2026. This phenomenon is due to the presence of an intercalary sixth month in this year's lunar calendar. Such occurrences are relatively rare.
The saying among the people, "When two springs embrace a winter, the yellow earth turns to gold" conveys the belief that a Double Spring Year is highly auspicious, perfect for significant events such as weddings and moving into a new home.

Biting the Spring

Sprill rolls (source: City Link)

On the day of the Beginning of Spring, a custom known as "Biting the Spring" is observed, where people eat spring pancakes, spring rolls, and raw radishes—foods that symbolize the arrival of spring. Spring pancakes are delicate dough wraps filled with various ingredients, symbolizing the embrace of spring. Chewing raw radishes signifies "biting through the tough roots, all things become possible," expressing a hopeful anticipation for the new life ahead.
"Beating the Spring," also known as "whipping the Spring" or "beating the Spring Ox," is an ancient agricultural custom. People use sticks to break a clay or paper-made Spring Ox, symbolizing the start of spring plowing. After the Spring Ox is shattered, people scramble for the broken pieces of soil, believing that obtaining different parts of it can bring different kinds of good fortune.

Strolling in the Spring

As the Beginning of Spring arrives and the weather gradually gets warm, people step out to enjoy the spring atmosphere through outings and sightseeing. This custom not only helps people relax but also symbolizes a beautiful expectation for the new life ahead.
Welcoming the Spring is one of the important activities of the Beginning of Spring. In ancient times, people would hold a welcoming ceremony on this day to herald the arrival of the promising season.
In this vibrant season, may everyone's life be as splendid as spring flowers, and may the spring breeze nourish every hope and dream.

Journalist: Wang Jiao
Editor: Fang Jingyi
Senior editor: Zhou Ji, Li Zheng
Source: Hangzhoufeel