下载客户端
On March 20th, the Spring Equinox (春分) arrives, marking the fleeting moment when daylight and darkness are perfectly balanced. This equinox, one of China's 24 solar terms, signifies equal days and nights across the Northern Hemisphere and the gentle embrace of spring's warming touch.
In Guangdong, this day also signifies the transition between the dry and rainy seasons. Families here uphold the tradition of consuming chuncai, or spring greens. Originally referring to wild amaranth, chuncai now encompasses a variety of seasonal vegetables such as fragrant toon shoots, shepherd's purse, and asparagus. These greens are often gently simmered into a light broth with fish slices, known as chuntang, or "spring soup." A local rhyme encapsulates the practice: "Spring soup purifies the organs; it keeps families young and old in good health."
This custom aligns with Traditional Chinese Medicine's emphasis on harmony with nature. Tables are dominated by dishes featuring sprouts—bean, pea, or garlic—symbolizing renewal and mirroring the season's explosion of growth.
The agricultural roots of the equinox remain intact. Historical texts, such as the 17th-century chronicle Guangdong Xinyu (New Words from Guangdong), detail how tea farmers in the Luofu Mountains once gathered before the equinox to harvest leaves. Similarly, temples in Xiguan still display calligraphy quoting equinox proverbs that emphasize harmony between humans and nature.
Yet, traditions continue to evolve. Urban families now blend wild herbs with imported greens like kale, while restaurants cater to younger diners with "solar term menus."
As the days grow longer, Guangdong's Spring Equinox rituals—steaming bowls of broth, markets filled with the fragrance of herbs—reflect an enduring truth: in a world that is rapidly modernizing, the rhythms of nature still shape life in the south.
A Spring Morning
by Meng Haoran (Tang Dynasty)
This morn of spring in bed I'm lying,
Not woke up till I hear birds crying.
After one night of wind and showers,
How many are the fallen flowers!
Translation by Dr. Xu Yuanchong
Author & Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
订阅后可查看全文(剩余80%)
