The beginning of spring in 2024 is unique, with 5 zodiac signs to avoid this season, as well as 3 lucky customs to follow. The years change, the solar terms are endless, and in an instant, the beginning of the spring solar term in 2024 is coming. As the first solar term of the year, the beginning of spring symbolizes the renewal of all things and the rebirth of everything, and symbolizes the beginning of a new cycle of reincarnation. In the traditional concept, the beginning of spring is given an auspicious meaning.
Flipping through the calendar, we can know that this year's beginning of spring will come on February 4, the day after the New Year in the south. However, it is worth noting that although the date of the beginning of spring this year falls on a Sunday, it is not a holiday, and February 18 (Sunday) is also a working day, so it is important to be careful not to be absent from work in violation of regulations. It is worth reminding everyone that although there is no holiday on Chinese New Year's Eve (February 9), all units are encouraged to arrange for employees to rest on this day in combination with the paid annual leave system.
Some people say that the beginning of spring in 2024 is particularly special, there are 5 zodiac signs that need to be careful to avoid the adverse effects of spring, and at the same time, there are 3 small customs that need to be followed. So what exactly are the zodiac signs and customs that this refers to? Let's find out one by one.
First of all, 2024 is a leap year on the Gregorian calendar, while it is a "springless year" on the lunar calendar. Those who are paying attention may already know that 2024 AD is a leap year, with a total of 366 days in the year, of which February has 29 days. However, on the lunar calendar, it is the year of the dragon, which runs from February 10 to January 28, 2025, for a total of 354 days and no leap month. Therefore, although this year's beginning of spring is on February 4, the corresponding lunar calendar is the 25th day of the lunar month of 2023, and there will be no "beginning of spring" solar terms in the entire Jiachen year, which is called the "year without spring".
In the Chinese chronological calendar, there are such unique phenomena as "no spring year" and "double spring year", which are caused by the subtle differences between the solar and lunar calendars. The solar calendar is based on the rotation of the earth around the sun and has 365 days in a year (366 days in leap years), while the lunar calendar is based on the law of the moon's waxing and waning, with 354 days in a year. The Chinese calendar incorporates cycles in which the sun and moon run, which results in a gap of about 11 days between the lunar and solar calendars. To compensate for this time gap, an additional month must be added every 2 to 3 years, which is called a "leap month", so that some years are "double spring years" and others are "no spring years".
The year 2024 is known as the "late spring" because it will not be delivered until 16:26:53 on February 4 of that year. According to ancient sayings, if the beginning of spring is intersected before 12 noon, it is called "early early spring", and after 12 noon, it is called "late early spring". In general, people prefer "early spring" because it means that spring will come earlier and the temperature will warm up earlier. On the other hand, the "late beginning of spring" may mean that the weather is colder after the arrival of spring, and if the cold lasts for a longer time, the phenomenon of "inverted spring cold" may occur.
Hiding from spring is a custom at the beginning of spring, whose origins can be traced back to the Han Dynasty and was an important part of ancient folk beliefs.
The traditional belief in avoiding the bad luck of spring is called "dodging spring" or "dodging tai sui", which aims to avoid the bad luck that may be brought about at the beginning of spring or the calamities and verbal disputes that may clash with the natal year.
2024 is the year of the dragon zodiac sign, and according to traditional customs, the zodiac signs related to the zodiac dragon, such as dog, ox, sheep, and rabbit, need to follow the habit of "hiding from spring". Therefore, the zodiac signs to avoid in 2024 include the dragon, dog, ox, sheep, and rabbit.
Avoiding spring does not mean not going out on the whole day of the beginning of spring, but it is recommended to avoid going out as much as possible before and after the beginning of spring, the main purpose is to avoid verbal disputes.
The exact time of the 2024 Spring Festival is 16:26:53 on February 4, so just avoid going out as much as possible between 16:00 and 17:00 on the same day.
1. Taste spring food.
Since ancient times, people have had the traditional custom of eating food with the word "spring" on the day of "beginning of spring", which means good beauty. For example, enjoy spring cakes, spring rolls and other delicacies to symbolize the arrival of spring.
2. Hang the spring flag.
The custom is not widespread in all regions, but in some places, the ritual is performed on the day of the beginning of spring. This involves cutting small flags out of colored paper or red paper and hanging them inside the house or at the door to ward off bad luck and pray for a safe and auspicious year.
3. Paste Yichun post.
Yichun post, also known as "spring book", is an ornament cut into the word "Yichun" with colored paper, and is a traditional item for ancient people to pray for auspiciousness.
There is a relevant record in the "Jing Chu Years Chronicles" that when the day of the beginning of spring comes, people will cut the colored silk into the shape of a swallow and wear it on their heads, and at the same time, they will also use red or yellow paper to cut into auspicious words such as "Yichun" or "Fu", and paste them on the door or wall of their homes. This traditional custom symbolizes the arrival of spring and the prayer for good luck.
Overall, at the beginning of spring, there are five zodiac signs that need to avoid the arrival of spring, and there are also three small customs of good luck. In the Year of the Dragon, whether you are rich or not, the most important thing is good health.