Traditional culture in plain words
Spring Equinox (春分)
On the Spring Equinox, day and night are of equal length. It is the midpoint of spring. After this day, the days grow longer and the weather slowly turns warmer.
At a glance
What the solar terms mean
Spring Equinox is one of the twenty-four solar terms (the traditional divisions of the year in the Chinese calendar). It falls on 20 or 21 March, when the Sun shines directly over the equator, so day and night are close to equal everywhere.
After the Spring Equinox, days become longer than nights in the northern hemisphere, and the weather keeps growing warmer. This is a good time for sowing, and farm work in the fields slowly becomes busy.
Traditional customs in different places
There is a folk game of standing an egg upright on this day. People try to balance an egg on its end, on a table or on the ground. It is said that, because day and night are evenly divided, the egg stands more easily. From northern and southern China to Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas Chinese communities, adults and children alike give it a try, adding a little springtime fun.
Solar terms belong to the traditional calendar and are shared for cultural reference. For weather, please follow the forecast from your local weather service.