Lichun is known as the beginning of spring (春天). It is the first solar term (节气) in the 24 solar terms of China. Chinese people think it is the beginning of the spring. Lichun usually comes on February fourth or February fifth.
When the Year comes to the lichun time, people will easily know about something. The days are becoming longer and it becomes warmer (更温暖). Lichun is a popular solar term in China, because it brings people warmness and hope.
At the day before Lichun, there are usually two village officials (村官) walking down the street. They tell people "spring is coming". Everybody seeing the officials will smile to them. On the day, there are many activities to "welcome the spring". They usually make a clay sculpture (泥塑) of a cow. People callitthe "spring cow". Women and their children go around the cow for three times, and it is said that in that way the children can be kept away from bad luck (运气). Some people think the saying is not true, but there are still many people join in these activities every year.
