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Seasons of China| Chinese 24 Solar Terms: Chunfen (Spring Equinox)

2021/03/20
China Cultural Center in Den Hang

Spring Equinox or “Chunfen” in Chinese is the 4th solar term of the 24 solar terms, which falls on March 20 this year. The Spring Equinox signals the equal length of the day and nighttime, because on this day, the sun is directly above the equator. After this day, the direct solar radiation moves northwards, resulting in gradually longer day time in the Northern Hemisphere and longer nighttime in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Each solar term can be divided into three pentads (periods). The pentads for Chunfen are: The “dark birds” (swallows) arrive, thunder sounds, and lightning begins. This means that during Chunfen, swallows will begin to make their northward migration, while spring thunderstorms with lightning will occur frequently.

Chunfen also means more outdoor activities. As the weather turns warmer and flowers are in full bloom, Chunfen is a signal informing people to be ready for a spring outing. Though the coronavirus outbreak has scuppered some plans, people are still looking forward to enjoying beautiful nature.



Regimen in Chunfen 

Tips 1: The clothes should be thick and thin 

As the weather turns warm and cold, the climate is changeable, and the temperature difference is large, people often cannot adapt to this change. In the spring, the yang qi develops, and the body surface of the human body begins to open, and the ability to resist the cold is weakened. Therefore, you should not take off your cotton clothes immediately when the weather starts to warm in order to prevent colds and the flu.  

Tips 2: Go to bed earlier and wake up early 

During the spring, people often feel sleepy, weak, drowsy, and wake up late in the morning. This is what people often call “spring sleepiness”. If you want to get rid of spring sleepiness, go to bed earlier in the night and wake up early each day. It is far more important to make sure you get enough sleep and that it is good quality sleep. Get plenty of rest to leave your body maximum energy for its cleansing endeavors. Take a walk outdoors in the morning, relax and get rid of the mentality of tiredness and sleepiness.

Tips 3: Be calm and in a good mood; take control of your emotions 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring can also be a time when feelings of irritability, frustration, or anger sink in. In TCM, spring is associated with the wood element and an inherent sense of growth and renewal. The organ associated with the wood element is the liver, which is essential for our body’s capacity to process both physically and emotionally. Therefore, try to be calm, keep relaxed, be happy and in a good mood. You can go on an outing with your friends when the weather is good.

Tips 4: Eat less sour and more sweet

The King of Chinese Medicine Sun Simao once said that “during the spring, it is better to save acid and increase in sweetness, so as to nourish temper.” It means that is advisable to eat less sour food during spring time and eat more sweetness. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that people tend to have excessive liver qi in spring. It has adverse effects on the spleen and stomach and hinders the normal digestion and absorption of food. So, you should eat less sour and more sweet. The key is to maintain a good spleen and stomach. Try to eat more ginger, onions, Chinese leek, wolfberry, etc.

Special thanks to China Xinhua News Network Corporation

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