春分 Chūnfēn
Spring Equinox
In 2026: 20 March 2026 to 5 April 2026 (Beijing time)
Day and night are of equal length, and spring is at its midpoint. Yin and yang stand in balance before yang pulls ahead.
- Sun’s longitude
- 0°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 卯month
- Season
- Spring
- Five Phase
- 木Wood
The three pentads
Each term is divided into three five-day pentads, named for what the ancients saw happen in nature.
- First pentad玄鸟至The swallows return
- Second pentad雷乃发声Thunder begins to sound
- Third pentad始电Lightning first appears
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Balanced breathing: in and out to the same slow count, as day and night are equal.
- Warm tea and diet
- Light, fresh greens and spring shoots; a gentle green tea such as Longjing.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- Keep meals and sleep regular; practise Taiji slowly, keeping left and right, upper and lower in balance.
Traditional guidance, not medical advice. The terms follow the seasons of central China.
In the Book of Changes
Each month has a sovereign hexagram (消息卦) that shows how far yin or yang has grown. For the 卯 month it is 大壮, Great Strength.