March Equinox in China ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of March Equinox in China and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of March Equinox in China and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In China, the March equinox is known as the “Start of Spring” (春分 chūnfēn). It marks the beginning of the spring season in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The date of the holiday falls on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 20 or 21. On this day, the sun is directly over the equator and day and night are of equal length.
In ancient times, the Chinese used a lunar calendar, and the start of spring was determined by the appearance of the first new moon after the winter solstice. However, this system was later replaced by the solar calendar, and the March equinox became the official start of spring.
The holiday is not a public holiday in China, but many people celebrate it by eating special foods, such as green onion pancakes and spring rolls. Some also visit parks and temples to enjoy the blossoming flowers.