俗話說，一年之計在于春。立春節(jié)在傳統(tǒng)文化和農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)中承擔(dān)著團聚、祈求豐收的美好寓意。作為二十四節(jié)氣之首，立春節(jié)的到來意味著嚴冬的結(jié)束。此時柳萌黃枝，水泛新綠，萬物生長的春季已經(jīng)到來。因“立”有“開始”之意，所以“立春”的英文表達為Start of Spring，是不是很貼切？After that everything turns green and becomes full of vigor. People clearly can notice that daytime becomes longer and the weather gets warmer.立春節(jié)后，植物轉(zhuǎn)綠，煥發(fā)勃勃生機。人們可以清楚地注意到白天的時間變得更長，天氣也愈發(fā)溫暖了。The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar cycles. Start of Spring (Chinese: 立春), the first solar cycle of the year, begins this year on Feb 4 and ends on Feb 18.傳統(tǒng)的中國農(nóng)歷將一年分為24個節(jié)氣，“立春”是一年中的第一個節(jié)氣。今年的“立春”節(jié)氣從2月4日始，到18日結(jié)束。Start of Spring：" lifts the curtain of Spring". After everything turns green and full of vigour; people clearly see the daytime becoming longer and the weather becoming warmer.“立春”拉開了春季的帷幕。此后萬物復(fù)蘇，充滿勃勃生機。人們也能明顯感覺到白天開始變長，天氣回暖。立春習(xí)俗Flying a kite放風(fēng)箏Spring is the best season for kite-flying. A traditional folk activity, it has a history of more than 2,000 years. It can help build one’s health and prevent diseases. It also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and speeding up metabolism. A breath of fresh air outside can discharge the foul smell accumulated in winter.春天是放風(fēng)箏的最好季節(jié)。放風(fēng)箏是一項民間傳統(tǒng)活動，已有2000多年歷史。放風(fēng)箏可以強健身體、預(yù)防疾病。放風(fēng)箏還有促進血液循環(huán)、加速新陳代謝的作用。在戶外呼吸一些新鮮空氣也可以排出冬天積累下來的濁氣。Erecting the egg立雞蛋In China, it is said that the egg can be set upright on the first day of the Start of Spring, Spring Equinox day and Autumn Equinox day. It is believed that if someone can make the egg stand on the first day of Start of Spring, he will have good luck in the future . 在中國，據(jù)說在立春、春分和秋分第一天可以把雞蛋豎立起來。據(jù)說如果有人能在立春第一天把雞蛋豎著立起來，那他將來就會有好運氣。據(jù)科學(xué)家說，豎雞蛋和時間沒有關(guān)系，只與力學(xué)有關(guān)。關(guān)鍵是把雞蛋的重心移到最低點，握住雞蛋，盡量讓蛋黃下沉。還要挑選已經(jīng)下了四五天，蛋黃容易下沉的雞蛋。 Wearing fabric swallows 佩燕子Wearing fabric swallows is a custom in some regions in Shaanxi. Every Start of Spring, people like to wear a swallow made of colorful silk on their chests. The custom originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The swallow is a harbinger of spring and a symbol of prosperity and happiness. 胸前佩戴一只織成的燕子是陜西一些地區(qū)的習(xí)俗。每當(dāng)立春，人們喜歡在胸前佩戴一只用五彩絲織成的燕子。這個習(xí)俗起源于唐代(618-907)。燕子是一種報春鳥，是繁榮和幸福的象征。Biting the spring 咬春In many parts of China, people observe the custom of "biting the spring" on the first day of Start of Spring. They eat spring pancakes, spring rolls, or a few mouthfuls of carrots. 在中國許多地方，人們都遵守著立春第一天要“咬春”的習(xí)俗。人們會吃春餅和春卷，或者干脆咬幾口蘿卜。Making a Spring Ox 糊春牛This custom in Shaanxi is practiced right before the Start of Spring. The local government hires some skilled artisans and gathers them to build the frame of an ox out of bamboo strips and the legs with wood. Then they paste some paper and paint onto it—and, voila! The image of an ox is complete. It is said that if more red and yellow paper is used, then there will be a good harvest that year; if black paper is pasted, then the year will be poor. When the paper ox is ready, there is a ritual to paint the eyes. After that, people will set up an altar for it and worship it. 陜西的習(xí)俗是要在立春之前就開始做春牛。當(dāng)?shù)卣畷蛡蛞恍┦炀毜墓そ?，召集他們用竹條做出牛的骨架、用木頭做成牛的腿。然后他們就會糊上紙、刷上顏色。瞧，一頭“牛”就這樣做好了!據(jù)說如果多用紅色和黃色的紙，那年就會有個好收成;如果糊上了黑色的紙，那年的收成就會不好。當(dāng)紙牛做好了之后，會有一個“做牛點睛”的儀式。在那之后，人們會給它修個祭壇，敬拜它。Appreciating plum blossoms賞梅Plums blossom from the 12th lunar month to the second month of the next year. The plum blossom, as it fights against the cold, is the most highly regarded. In China, the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum are praised as the four gentlemen of Chinese flowers. 梅花會從農(nóng)歷臘月一直開到第二年二月。梅花因為能夠抵抗嚴寒，所以在中國最受重視。在中國，梅、蘭、竹、菊被譽為花中四君子。Welcoming spring 拜春三千年前，中國人就開始舉行迎春儀式了。人們拜祭主宰農(nóng)業(yè)的春神“句芒”（拼音為gou mang）。清朝時，“拜春”成為重要的民間活動。明清時京兆尹和各府衙官員，都必須去“東郊”的東直門外五里的“春場”去迎春。
立春古詩詞江南春Spring on the Southern Rivershore杜牧By Du Mu 千里鶯啼綠映紅，Orioles sing for miles amid red blooms and green trees;水村山郭酒旗風(fēng)。By hills and rills wine shop streamers wave in the breeze.南朝四百八十寺，Four hundred eighty splendid temples still remain;多少樓臺煙雨中。Of Southern Dynasties in the mist and rain.
玉樓春Spring in Jade Pavilion宋祁By Song Qi東城漸覺風(fēng)光好，The Scenery is getting fine east of the town;縠皺波紋迎客棹。The rippling water greets boats rowing up and down.綠楊煙外曉寒輕，Beyond green willows morning chill is growing mild;紅杏枝頭春意鬧。On pink apricot branches spring is running wild.浮生長恨歡娛少，In our floating life scarce are pleasures we seek after.肯愛千金輕一笑。How can we value gold above a hearty laughter?為君持酒勸斜陽，I raise wine cup to ask the slanting sun to stay且向花間留晚照。And leave among the flowers its departing ray.
