A new cycle springs forth
Period of hibernation ends as signs of life emerge once more to greet the coming year, Zhang Lei reports.
Custom lives on
With the development of the times, such activities are no longer as well observed as they were in ancient times, but "biting spring" is a custom that has been followed to this day.
The great Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Fu wrote: "It's lichun today, I suddenly remembered the peaceful years. At that time, the two capitals were at their peak. Every time on lichun, high-ranking families put green silky cut chives on white jade plates, and gave them to each other through their delicate hands, so as to enjoy the festival."
The northerners pay great attention to eating spring pancakes and spring rolls on lichun. On this day, spring pancake shops in cities and villages can expect a crowd from early in the morning.
The paper-thin spring rolls, wrapped around fried vegetables such as bean sprouts, leek, celery, shredded potatoes and vermicelli, as well as shredded pork with sweet and sour sauce, deliver a salty, thorny, fragrant flavor that seems to burst on the tongue.
