The vernal equinox was also called "Japan-China", "Day and Night Equinox" and "Mid-spring Moon" in ancient times. "Ming Shi Li Yi" said: "Dividers, the point where Huang Chi meets, the sun goes so far, it is equally divided day and night." Therefore, the meaning of the vernal equinox, first, refers to the day and night divided equally, each for 12 hours; Second, in ancient times, beginning of spring to long summer was the spring, and the vernal equinox was just among the three months of spring, and the spring was equally divided.
In ancient China, the vernal equinox was divided into three periods: "One is waiting for the bird to arrive; Second, wait for Lei Nai to make a sound; Third, wait for electricity. " That is to say, after the vernal equinox, swallows will fly from the south, and when it rains, the sky will thunder and lightning.
The corresponding phenological phenomenon in the ancient Yellow River basin was "when the mysterious bird arrived, the thunder sounded and the electricity started" (see "Nong Sang Tong Ji"). At this time, the overwintering crops in most areas of China entered the spring growth stage. A farmer's proverb in Central China says, "When wheat rises at the vernal equinox, it is worth a moment."
The vernal equinox is also a traditional festival. In the Zhou dynasty, there was a ceremony to worship the sun at the vernal equinox. Book of Rites: "Sacrifice to the altar." Kong Yingda Shu: "It is also called the vernal equinox." This custom has been handed down from generation to generation.
The story of the origin of the vernal equinox of the twenty-four solar terms
There is also a legend about the origin of the vernal equinox. Four thousand years ago, Xizhong was sent by Emperor Yao and came to the generation of Xunli Village, Shizhen Town, Wendeng. After a lot of research and analysis, according to the astronomical phenomena that day and night are even and birds and stars are seen in the south at dusk, the time of the vernal equinox was determined, which laid the foundation for the determination of the four seasons and the final formation of the twenty-four solar terms. It's not a legend that Xizhong went to the Mount Ruogu. The Book of History Yao Dian records that "Xizhong House was ordered to be destroyed by foreigners, saying" Ruogu ".
In fact, the solar term vernal equinox was born in the Yellow River Basin, and it is one of the 24 solar terms. We can see that "rain" and "fright" are inserted into the bisection between beginning of spring and vernal equinox. These two names describe the meteorological or biological characteristics of the first half of spring.
It's going to rain, and the little life hiding in the ground for the winter will start to wake up when it hears the call of the sun. Between the vernal equinox and long summer are "Qingming" and "Grain Rain".
From the "rainy season", we can know the climate in Tomb-Sweeping Day. Literally, we can know from Grain Rain that this is the season when crops need rain to promote growth. Insert "Xiaoman" and "Mangzhong" between long summer and the Summer Solstice.
24 solar terms is defined by the 24 equal angles of the great circle that the sun passes through in the sky, not by the 24 equal times of a year, so the time interval is not equal. According to the approximate number of days, some are approximately 15 days and some are approximately 16 days.
Therefore, how to divide the months of a year in order to express 24 solar terms concisely and accurately enough, so that they can be arranged with the simplest rules and easily memorized, is an important task in calendar design.
What to eat at the vernal equinox
1. Spring vegetables
In the past four cities (now with Heshan as five cities), there was a custom called "eating spring vegetables at the vernal equinox". "Spring vegetable" is a kind of wild amaranth, and the villagers call it "Spring Artemisia". On the vernal equinox, the whole village went to pick spring vegetables. When searching in the field, it is often green and thin, about the length of a palm.
Picked spring vegetables are generally boiled with fish fillets at home, which is called "spring soup". There is a jingle saying: "Spring soup is dirty and washes the liver and intestines. The whole family is young and old, safe and healthy. " Since the spring of the year, people still pray for peace and health in their homes.
The custom of eating spring vegetables has continued until now. Spring vegetables are different in different places. As the name suggests, spring vegetables are spring vegetables. Eating more vegetables at this time can not only supplement nutrition, but also play a role in health care. Spring seasonal dishes include leeks for nourishing yang; Bean sprouts, lettuce, onions, bean sprouts, garlic sprouts, etc.
2. Radish
Yangzhou people also have the custom of eating buns and spring rolls stuffed with radish or shredded radish at the vernal equinox. At this time, eating radish can not only ventilate up and down, but also play a role in getting rid of diseases and relieving spring sleepiness.
Among all kinds of vegetables for health care in spring, radish has the best effect. White radish has the functions of clearing away heat and promoting fluid production, regulating qi, promoting digestion and resolving phlegm. Raw radish tends to clear away heat and promoting fluid production, while cooked radish tends to promote qi and promoting digestion. It can be used to prevent cough due to excessive phlegm, sore throat, anorexia, abdominal distension, constipation and other symptoms. Modern medicine believes that radish has a good diuretic effect, and the cellulose it contains can also promote defecation and help to lose weight. If you want to use radish to detoxify, you can choose raw food, juice, cold salad or pickling.
In normal times, radishes are called small ginseng. You are because radishes can strengthen the stomach, promote digestion, protect the eyes, sterilize, prevent colds, ventilate and promote circulation, relieve fishy smell and prevent constipation. Usually, when there are few people in the family, you can eat half of a big radish at a time, so that the head, waist and tail of the radish are all in the dish, and the nutrition is balanced.
Step 3 roll around
According to the custom of old Beijing, you have to eat snowballing usury at the vernal equinox in order to avoid evil spirits and pray. The origin of snowballing usury is extraordinary, and its processing materials include rhubarb rice noodles, yellow bean, red bean paste, white sugar, sesame oil, osmanthus fragrans, green shredded pork and melon seeds, which is enough to meet the requirement of diversification of ingredients in the nutritional dietary guidelines. Its production is divided into three processes: blank making, stuffing and molding. The outer layer of the "snowballing donkey" is covered with bean noodles, which is golden yellow, sweet with bean flavor, soft and unique, and it is a delicious food for all ages.
According to the custom of old Beijing, you have to eat snowballing usury at the vernal equinox in order to avoid evil spirits and pray. The origin of snowballing usury is extraordinary, and its processing materials include rhubarb rice noodles, yellow bean, red bean paste, white sugar, sesame oil, osmanthus fragrans, green shredded pork and melon seeds, which is enough to meet the requirement of diversification of ingredients in the nutritional dietary guidelines. Its production is divided into three processes: blank making, stuffing and molding. The outer layer of the "snowballing donkey" is covered with bean noodles, which is golden yellow, sweet with bean flavor, soft and unique, and it is a delicious food for all ages.