Li-chun (noun) 立春 (Chinese) Beginning of Spring （1st solar term), literally in Chinese “Li” 立 = stand, “Chun” 春 = Spring.
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Lìchūn 立春: The First Solar Term in the Ancient Chinese Calendar
Lìchūn (立春), meaning “Beginning of Spring,” is the first of the 24 solar terms (节气, jiéqì) in the traditional Chinese calendar (also called the agricultural calendar). This system later spread to many Asian countries, influencing their seasonal divisions and farming practices.
Lìchūn’s Position in the Calendar
Lìchūn begins when the Sun reaches a celestial longitude of 315° and ends at 330°. More specifically, Lìchūn often refers to the exact day when the Sun is precisely at 315°.
- Gregorian Calendar Equivalent: Lìchūn typically begins around February 4 and ends around February 18(February 19 in East Asia).
- Intercalation: It is also the first intercalating month (initial) in the Chinese lunisolar system.
- Sexagenary Cycle: Lìchūn marks the beginning of a 60-year cycle (干支, gānzhī), an essential part of Chinese cosmology and timekeeping.
Understanding “Qìhòu” 气候 and Its Periods
In Chinese:
- Qìhòu (气候) refers to weather or climate.
- Qì (气) is related to jiéqì (节气), the 24 solar terms in a year.
- Hòu (候) means “period” in a jiéqì.
Each jiéqì (solar term) is divided into three periods (三候, sānhòu), each lasting 5 days, totaling 15 days per jiéqì.
Lìchūn 立春: The Awakening of Spring
In Chinese tradition, Lìchūn (立春) marks the beginning of spring and is the first solar term of the 24 solar terms (节气, jiéqì). Like the other 23 solar terms, Lìchūn is divided into three periods (三候, sānhòu), each lasting five days, making a total of 15 days.
The Three Periods of Lìchūn
Each period of Lìchūn describes changes in nature and climate:
1️⃣ Dōngfēng jiědòng (东风解冻) – “The east wind thaws the ice.”
- As Lìchūn begins, the warm east wind starts melting the frozen land.
2️⃣ Zhéchóng shǐzhèn (蜇虫始振) – “Hibernating insects start to stir.”
- Five days after Lìchūn, dormant insects slowly awaken from hibernation.
3️⃣ Yú zhì fù bīng (鱼陟负冰) – “Fish rise to the surface, carrying ice.”
- By the last five days, ice in rivers begins to break, allowing fish to swim up, sometimes with ice flakes still clinging to their bodies.
During Lìchūn, farmers start preparing for plowing and sowing, marking an essential time for agricultural planning.
Nature and the Flower Letter Breeze (花信风)
Flora and fauna respond to seasonal changes, closely linked to climate shifts. Each period (候, hòu) in a jiéqì (节气)has an associated flower letter breeze (花信风, huāxìn fēng)—a natural rhythm of blooming flowers:
🌼 First period: Winter jasmine (迎春花, yíngchūnhuā)
🌸 Second period: Cherry blossoms (樱花, yīnghuā)
🌿 Third period: Yùlán magnolia (白玉兰, báiyùlán)
Other flowers blooming during Lìchūn include winter daphne, orchids, and caudate sweetleaf flowers, adding to the season’s vibrancy.
Why Lìchūn Matters
Lìchūn symbolizes renewal, agricultural readiness, and seasonal transition, playing a crucial role in traditional Chinese culture, farming, and even modern celebrations. It is still observed in many East Asian cultures, influencing festivals and customs related to the arrival of spring.
Lìchūn’s Significance in Chinese Culture
Since ancient times, Lìchūn has been an essential solar term for agriculture, guiding farmers in the lunar calendar. Today, it remains a celebrated traditional festival, symbolizing renewal and prosperity.
📅 Lìchūn in 2025: February 3, 2025