#China #Spring Festival #Quzhou #Jiuhua

Quzhou's Unique Spring Welcome Ceremony

On February 4, 2026, a vibrant traditional ceremony took place in Miaoyan Village, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, as locals gathered to celebrate the arrival of spring—a deeply rooted seasonal ritual that has become a fundamental aspect of community life in eastern China. This year’s event marked a decade since the UNESCO designation of the Jiuhua Spring Ceremony as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The ceremony was held in the historical Wutong Ancestral Hall, a site that possesses significant cultural importance as it is the only temple in China specifically dedicated to the God of Spring, Gou Mang. The event commenced with twenty-four chimes signaling the start of the festivities, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums as the banner of Spring was raised. Villagers presented ten ceremonial offerings, including traditional spring cakes and local sweets, to Gou Mang, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

Following these traditions, the ritual known as 'Beating the Spring Ox' commenced, an important agricultural custom aimed at heralding the farming season and wishing for a prosperous year ahead. This joyous occasion was made all the more festive as children distributed peanuts and sweets among the gathered crowd, further enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.

Wu Haigen, a cultural heir of the ceremony, emphasized the ritual's historical roots dating back to the Song dynasty. He explained that the Wutong Ancestral Hall not only serves as a venue for this annual celebration but also embodies the lasting essence of Jiangnan’s agrarian traditions. 'Rituals like beating the Spring Ox transmit enduring hopes for prosperity and abundance,' Wu commented, highlighting the deep connection between these traditions and the local agricultural lifestyle.

Over the past decade, Quzhou has embraced this cultural legacy annually. Next to the ceremony, the local community has established a Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition Hall, further embedding this ritual within the experiences of both visitors and locals. Rather than merely being an organized event, this celebration has evolved into a seasonal moment where tradition is observed, shared, and sustained by the community.

As the seasons change, Quzhou vibrantly showcases its rich heritage through this age-old tradition, welcoming spring not just as a season of the year but as a celebration of historical significance that resonates with the present day. With every drumbeat and shared offering, the spirit of the festival thrives, embodying the hope and joy of a new beginning as the community embraces the promise of spring once again.