Chunfen

Each solar term can be divided into 3 pentads (候). They are: first pentad (初候), second pentad (次候) and last pentad (末候). Pentads in Chunfen include:

• First pentad: 玄鳥至, 'The dark birds arrive'. 'Dark bird' in this case refers to swallows, which are also making their northward migration.{{cite book | title = 新加纂録類 (Shinka Sanrokurui) | work = 改定史籍集覧 (Kaitei Shiseki Shūran) | volume = 19 | editor = Kondō Heijō (近藤瓶城) | page = 110 | publisher = 近藤活版所 (Kondō Kappansho) | location = Tokyo |year = 1901 |others = (Meiji 34) }}
• Second pentad: 雷乃發聲, 'Thunder sounds', referring to the onset of spring thunderstorms.
• Last pentad: 始電, 'Lightning begins'. This refers to thunderstorms as well, but also to the gradual lengthening of daytime, and the prevalence of sunlight.

{{see also|Vernal Equinox Day}}

A pentad as follows was referred to Japanese traditional calendar presented in a smaller, easy to use, format.

• First pentad: {{Nihongo||雀始巣|Suzume hajimete sukuu}}, 'Sparrow begins holding a nest'.{{cite book | work = 図説日本民俗学全集 (Zusetsu Nihon Minzokugaku Zenshū) | title = 年中行事編 (Nenjū Gyōjihen) | last = Fujisawa | first = Morihiko| volume = 7 | page = 103 | publisher = Akane Shobō | year = 1961 | location = Tokyo }}
• Second pentad: {{Nihongo||桜始開|Sakura hajimete hiraku}}, 'Cherry blossoms open for the first time'.
• Last pentad: {{Nihongo||雷乃発声|Kaminari sunawachi koeo hassu}}, 'Distant thunder start to sound'.

• Equinox

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04

Category:Spring (season)

Category:Observances on non-Gregorian calendars

Category:March observances

Category:April observances