Li Chun / 立春
The beginning of spring is known to the Chinese as Li Chun / 立春 (Lap Chun in Cantonese) and it is the first term of the 24 terms in the Chinese solar calendar. These 24 solar term is also known as Jie Chi / 節氣.
Li Chun falls between 3rd or 4th February every year, and it is an important day to the ancient chinese farmers. They would often celebrate the beginning of Li Chun with ceremonies and worships for a prosperous year. Traditionally, it is believed that a clear day on Li Chun would means good harvest through the year while a raining day is a sign to the farmers that they should take extra precaution on their crops for the year.
In Chinese astrology, Regardless of when the first day of Chinese lunar new year begins, those born BEFORE the time of Li Chun are known to belong to the 12 Chinese zodiac sign of the previous year and those born AFTER the time of Li Chun are born with the astrological sign of the current year.
It is believe that if two Li Chun falls within the same year of the lunar calendar, it would be an auspicious year known as a Shuang Chun Nian / 雙春年 / Double Spring Year while a year in the lunar calendar without Li Chun is known as a Mang Nian / 盲年 / Blind Year or Gua Fu Nian / 寡婦年 / Widow Year. A lunar year without Li Chun is said to be an omen of bad luck and many chinese believed that it is inauspicious to get married in these blind years.
Egg balancing on Li Chun.
On the day of Li Chun, a strange phenomenon is known to happen. It is belief that it is much easier to balance an egg on its end during this time. Some explanation has it that this amazing balancing act is said to be due to the sun crossing the equator, making night and day equal on all parts of the earth.
My Time – my.72dragon.com – A web blog where i catalog chinese temples in malaysia.
