How Chinese people overcome challenges by ‘eating’ and ‘whipping’ the spring
Seasonal festival rituals aim to promote agricultural abundance, include consumption of special food, striking of symbolic ox
To welcome the arrival of spring, Chinese people across the nation observe a series of seasonal rituals such as Biting the Spring, Whipping the Spring and Speaking the Spring.
The customs reflect people’s hopes for renewal, good fortune and a prosperous farming year, while also marking the transition from winter stillness to spring vitality.
The SCMP explains why.
Biting the spring
Known as Yao Chun in Chinese, this is a traditional custom that involves eating seasonal foods such as spring pancakes and radishes to welcome the new year.
Rooted in the principle of using seasonal ingredients and following the natural order to maintain health, the practice symbolises hope for a bountiful harvest, prosperity for both people and livestock, and blessings of good fortune in the year ahead.
It dates back to the Han dynasty (206-220) when people ate fresh seasonal vegetables to welcome the arrival of spring.
During the Northern Wei (386–535) and Jin (265–420) dynasties, this tradition evolved into the popular practice of consuming the Five Spicy Dishes, a mix of pungent vegetables like spring onions, garlic and leeks.