'Lichun': the beginning of spring
Custom of "beat the spring cattle"
Apart from "bite the spring" in some rural parts, "beat the spring cattle" is also a folk tradition for farmers. A "cow" made of paper, mud or clay, is beaten by farmers with a colorful club or a whip, dispelling winter laziness of the cattle and praying for the good harvest.
People take part in a celebration for Lichun in Guangnan village, Guilin city, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Feb 4, 2016. The Dong people here have a tradition of dancing the "spring cattle", a cattle-like symbol made with bamboo and colourful cloth, along the streets to wish for good harvest in the coming new year on the first day of Lichun. [Photo/Xinhua] |