A bird rested on the Chinese flowering crabapple in Guiyang,Guizhou province,on Feb.8,2017.(File photo,VCG)
Today is the Beginning of Spring, the first solar term of the year.
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The creation of these divisions in the calendar reflects the ancient Chinese wisdom of indicating universe, seasons and climate, which is used to guide sowing and harvesting to promote agricultural production.
A red Chinese knot with blessing,peach blossoms are blooming behind.(File photo,VCG)
The Beginning of Spring is important to the Chinese not only because it is the first term but also as it heralds the start to a new year in the lunar calendar.
Spring wakes up all nature.From today, the days will become longer and the weather warmer.
Three girls were plying with pinwheels in celebrations of the Beginning of Spring in Beijing Ancient Observatory on Feb.3,2017.(File photo,VCG)
As the old saying goes, spring is to the year as dawn is to the day. The Chinese have their ways of celebrating today.
Kite flying and folk activity has a history of more than 2,000 years and is still popular. Posting spring calligraphy and paintings on doors and windows, the Chinese welcome spring and pray for good luck.
In celebrations of the Beginning of Spring,a young boy was too impatient to wait biting the spring roll.(File photo,VCG)
Biting the spring is perhaps the most attractive activity in the whole day.In many provinces, people eat spring rolls made of grated ginger, spring beansprouts, spring onions and carrot with sweet spicy sauce, enjoying the taste of spring.
Spring rolls made with yellow croaker in Shanghai Tang Restaurant.(File photo,VCG)
This term in the calendar lifts the curtain on spring. The New Year begins and everything is full of vigor. There are classical Chinese poems about the beauty of spring and its lingering charm. Let's have a read.
The birds are frolicking on the spring river.(File photo,VCG)
《立春偶成》
张栻
律回岁晚冰霜少，春到人间草木知。
便觉眼前生意满，东风吹水绿参差。
Impromptu Lines Written on the Spring Day
Zhang Shi
Warmth comes late in the year, ice and frost disappear,
When spring returns on earth, grass and woods feel the mirth.
Everything comes to life again before my eyes,
The east wind blows, I see green ripples fall and rise.
Cherry blossoms above river in spring.(File photo,VCG)
《春晓》
孟浩然
春眠不觉晓，处处闻啼鸟。
夜来风雨声，花落知多少。
A Spring Morning
Meng Haoran
This spring morning in bed I’m lying,
Not to awake till birds are crying.
After one night of wind and showers,
How many are the fallen flowers!
Petals drop and water is flowing in springtime.(File photo,VCG)
《江南春》
杜牧
千里莺啼绿映红，水村山郭酒旗风。
南朝四百八十寺，多少楼台烟雨中。
Spring on the Southern River Shore
Du Mu
Orioles sing for miles amid red blooms and green trees,
By hills and rills wine shop streamers wave in the breeze.
Four hundred eighty splendid temples still remain,
Of Southern Dynasties in the mist and rain.
In the spring wind,snow on the roof,a boatmen is singing,the boat slowly forward.(File photo,VCG)
《春雪》
韩愈
新年都未有芳华，二月初惊见草芽。
白雪却嫌春色晚，故穿庭树作飞花。
Spring Snow
Han Yu
On vernal day no flowers were in bloom,
In the second month I’m glad to see the budding grass.
But white snow dislikes the late coming vernal breeze,
It plays the flowers flying through the trees.
Spring is coming,the weather getting warmer.In southern China,a group of wild geese are flying in V formation.
《春思》
李白
燕草如碧丝，秦桑低绿枝。
当君怀归日，是妾断肠时。
春风不相识，何事入罗帏？
A Faithful Wife Longing For Her Husband in Spring
Li bai
Northern grass looks like green silk thread,
Western mulberries bend their head.
When you think of your home on your part,
Already broken is my heart.
Vernal wind, intruder unseen,
how dare you part my bed screen!
A plum tree,over 100 years old,is blossoming on the Beginning of Spring in Haikou,Hainan province.(File photo,VCG)
The Beginning of Spring (February 3,4,or 5) is followed by Rain Water (February 18,19 or 20), the Waking of Insects(March 5,6, or 7),the Spring Equinox (March 20, 21 or 22), Pure Brightness (April 4,5 or 6),Grain Rain (April 19, 20 or 21), the Beginning of Summer (May 5, 6 or 7), Lesser Fullness of Grain (May 20, 21 or 22), Grain in Beard (June 5, 6 or 7), the Summer Solstice (June 21 or 22), Lesser Heat (July 6, 7 or 8), Greater Heat (July 22, 23 or 24), the Beginning of Autumn (August 7, 8 or 9), End of Heat (August 22, 23 or 24), White Dew (September 7,8 or 9), the Autumn Equinox (September 22, 23 or 24), Cold Dew (October 8 or 9), Frost's Descent (October 23 or 24), the Beginning of Winter (November 7 or 8), Lesser Snow (November 22 or 23), Greater Snow (December 6, 7 or 8), the Winter Solstice (December 21, 22 or 23), Lesser Cold (January 5,6 or 7) and Greater Cold (January 20 or 21).