Lchn (Start of Spring): Farewell to Winter, Embrace the Vitality of Spring A Guide to Traditional Customs and Health Preservation

Lchn (Start of Spring): Farewell to Winter, Embrace the Vitality of Spring A Guide to Traditional Customs and Health PreservationToday, we welcome the first of the twenty-four solar terms: Lchn, or the Start of Spring. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it signifies the revival of all things and vibrant life

Lchn (Start of Spring): Farewell to Winter, Embrace the Vitality of Spring A Guide to Traditional Customs and Health Preservation

Today, we welcome the first of the twenty-four solar terms: Lchn, or the Start of Spring. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it signifies the revival of all things and vibrant life. An ancient saying goes, "Spring competes for sunlight; every minute counts." Health preservation during Lchn is particularly important, laying a solid foundation for a year of good health. This article will detail the traditional customs and health preservation guidelines for Lchn, helping you welcome spring healthily.

I. Traditional Customs of Lchn

Lchn symbolizes warmth, growth, and hope. Throughout history, people have imbued Lchn with rich cultural connotations, leading to the development of many unique customs:

1. Welcoming Spring (Yngchn): Welcoming Spring is one of the most important activities during Lchn. People prepare in advance, conducting rehearsals (commonly known as "Ynchn"), then solemnly welcoming spring and the god J Mng (the god of spring). This is a ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest and ward off evil spirits, bringing good fortune. The specific forms of welcoming spring vary by region; some places hold grand ceremonies, while others are more simple, but all express people's hopeful anticipation for spring.

2. Ancestor Worship (Jz): Ancestor worship during Lchn is an important custom in many regions. The Guangdong Xn'n County Gazetteer records: "The common people perform rituals at ancestral shrines on this day." The offerings for Lchn ancestor worship are also special. The Henan Ryng County Gazetteer records: "A spring banquet is held, spring pancakes are eaten, and divination and pears are offered." Ancestor worship expresses people's reverence and gratitude to their ancestors, while also praying for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

3. Biting into Spring (Yochn): During Lchn, people eat seasonal foods to express their best wishes for the new year. Spring pancakes, radishes, and Wxn pn (a platter of five spicy ingredients: scallions, garlic, pepper, ginger, and mustard) are common "biting into spring" foods. Southern regions popularize eating spring rolls, signifying "having a beginning and an end," symbolizing a good start and a fulfilling conclusion to the new year.

4. Spring Outing (Tchn): After Lchn, as the weather warms, people go out to the suburbs for spring outings to appreciate the spring scenery and feel the breath of spring. Spring outings, also known as "going out of the city to explore spring," are a way for people to get close to nature, relax, and symbolize their yearning for a better life.

5. Beating the Spring Ox (Dchn/Binchnnu): Beating the spring ox, originating early and particularly prevalent during the Tang and Song dynasties, became even more widespread after Emperor Renzong of Song promulgated the Tni Jng (Classic of the Earthen Ox). People break an earthen ox symbolizing a bountiful harvest, scrambling for pieces of the ox, with obtaining the ox head considered auspicious, expressing their hope for a good harvest in the coming year.

II. Lchn Health Preservation Guide

During Lchn, with its fluctuating temperatures, the body's yang energy is beginning to generate and requires careful nourishment to adapt to the changes of spring. Reasonable diet and lifestyle habits are crucial for maintaining health.

A. Dietary Considerations:

1. Reduce Supplements and Salt: During Lchn, gradually reduce the amount of dietary and medicinal supplements to avoid excess. Also, reduce salt intake, as excessive salt can harm kidney Qi and hinder the cultivation of yang energy.

2. Less Sour, More Spicy: Spring health preservation should follow the characteristics of the liver; eat more pungent and sweet foods that promote circulation, and less sour foods that constrict. Sour flavors enter the liver and have an astringent effect, hindering the smooth flow of liver Qi. It is recommended to eat more chives, celery, and foods like pig liver and sheep liver (in moderation, avoiding spiciness) to nourish and protect the liver.

3. Lchn Health Preservation Recipe: Chives, Shrimp, and Egg Stir-fry

Ingredients: A bunch of chives, 2-3 eggs, appropriate amount of dried shrimp.

Method: Wash and chop the chives, whisk the eggs. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the shrimp until fragrant, add the eggs and stir-fry until set, finally add the chives and stir-fry, season with salt, ginger, and MSG.

Effects: Chives are pungent and warm, promoting circulation; eggs nourish the blood. This dish nourishes the liver and blood and is suitable for Lchn.

B. Lifestyle Considerations:

1. Early to Bed and Early to Rise to Nourish the Liver: After Lchn, follow the natural rhythm, going to bed and waking up early, maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed before 11 pm and waking up before 8 am benefits liver health.

2. Dress Warmly Below, Lightly Above: "Keep warm in spring and cool in autumn to avoid illness." Temperatures fluctuate greatly during Lchn, and it's not advisable to remove winter clothes too early, especially for the elderly. Removing clothes too early can weaken the body's immunity.

3. Comb Your Hair 100 Times a Day: For Lchn health preservation, comb your hair 100 times a day. Ancient people said: "In the three months of spring, comb your hair one or two hundred times every morning." Combing promotes blood circulation in the head, benefiting hair growth and health.

4. Engage in Stretching Exercises: During Lchn, increase stretching exercises, such as stretching, to promote Qi and blood circulation. As the weather warms, increase outdoor activities such as table tennis or kite flying to exercise and relax.

5. Soak Your Feet in Hot Water at Night to Remove Cold: After Lchn, soaking your feet in hot water at night can expel internal cold and help yang energy rise. Soak for about 30 minutes until your body feels warm.

C. Mental Health Considerations:

1. Broad-mindedness, Avoid Anger: In spring, liver yang and liver fire rise; appropriate venting is needed. Anger can lead to stagnation of liver Qi, so maintain a calm, optimistic, and cheerful attitude and avoid anger; even if angry, don't exceed 3 minutes.

2. Space Out, Bask in the Sun: In early spring, take time to space out and clear mental clutter. After spacing out, bask in the sun outdoors to supplement calcium, sterilize, and relieve anxiety.

3. Massage Taichong, Tap Gallbladder Meridian: In spring, massage Taichong (acupuncture point on the foot) to relieve emotions and chest tightness. You can also tap the gallbladder meridian (outer thigh, from Huan Tiao to the knee) to promote the liver's function.

III. Disease Prevention During Lchn

Lchn is also a high-incidence season for some diseases, requiring attention to prevention. Common spring diseases include pneumonia, hepatitis, measles, mumps, and allergic asthma. Those with chronic diseases (such as hepatitis, allergic asthma, and cardiovascular diseases) should strengthen their health preservation and prevention measures. Chronic bronchitis and tracheitis are also prone to recurrence in spring. Eat loquats, oranges, pears, walnuts, and honey, which have expectorant, spleen-tonifying, kidney-tonifying, and lung-nourishing effects, to alleviate symptoms.

We hope the above introduction to Lchn customs and health preservation guidelines will help you better welcome the arrival of spring and enjoy a healthy and happy spring.