How Chinese people overcome challenges by ‘eating’ and ‘whipping’ the spring

2026-02-17 - 01:08

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...