Prompt: Chunfen/Spring Equinox

[ranalore]

Our next prompt celebrates Chunfen (春分), the traditional observance of the Vernal Equinox in China. This is the fourth of the twenty four solar terms of a lunisolar calendar first organized in the Warring States period and later refined during the Han Dynasty. Not just an astronomical term, this period represents balance in the heavens, in nature, and in ourselves. This was the time of planting in agriculture, of eating light meals that were neither too warming nor too cooling, and of leisure activities like kite-flying. It was also believed it was easier to balance an egg vertically more easily during this period, which would bring luck. As with Xiazhi and Dongzhi, Chunfen is closely tied to the concepts of yin and yang, and is a period in which they are believed to be not only in balance, but working together. Neither light nor dark overpower each other during this time of year.

As one of our recurring annual prompts, drabble sequences and drabble series are allowed. These formats are explained in this post, while the standard drabble formats are explained in the community rules.

This is a two-week term to give you more time to make full use of these longer formats, if you so desire. You have until midnight your time on Friday, April 3, to answer this prompt. Please post your fills of the prompt as separate entries to the community (i.e. not replies to this entry), tagged with the prompt tag. You may post multiple standalone drabbles per entry in addition to drabble sequences and series.

As a reminder, this community has no official presence elsewhere. You are encouraged to share the prompt on social media, if you so desire. It may take me a bit to create the AO3 collection, so please be patient.

Also, I'm going to go ahead and drop a link to the prompt suggestions post here. New suggestions are always, always welcome.