Another entry on Chinese calendar. This one is for Fang Li, who told me the story originally. She heard it from her father.

There is a form of Chinese literature called 對聯 (DuiLian). It consists of exactly two proses that must match by a set of strict rules. The rules, however, changes according to the opening prose. For example, if the opening prose has 7 words, the matching one must be the same. There are many literary jousting that are so beautiful and colorful that almost all Chinese remember few of them.

The one opens with "屋後流泉幽咽洽香草" (A spring in the back of the house whispers the fragrance of the grass) stumped many. There are 9 Chinese characters and each one has exactly 9 strokes.

Many tried and the best match is recognized to be: "庭前垂柳珍重待春風" (The willow in the front courtyard respectfully waiting for the spring breeze to return.) Wow. Another 9 characters with 9 strokes each. In fact, most think this is better and discarded the opening one.

How hard it is! I will whip out a dictionary, search all characters that are 9 strokes. Pick 9 of them that make a respectful prose and there. People did. But none as poetic. I won't try to translate them all.

屋後流泉幽咽洽香草
庭前垂柳珍重待春風

幸保幽姿珍重春風面
雁南飛柳芽茂便是春
故城秋荒屏栏树枯荣
庭前春幽挟草巷重茵

How is this calendrical?

In the forbidden city, when the winter solstice comes, one of the clerks in the research department, will produce a piece of paper with 9 spaces on it. Everyday, the researcher in charge will write one stroke in one of the space. By the end of the 81 days, all characters are written and spring equinox arrives. This is so much fun that common people in the northern China started to do the same. Elders use this to teach the kids patience. "Grasshopper. Only one stroke a day. Spring will be here when you finish writing this prose."

While we are here. This is a children's rhythm for the same spirit.

一九二九不出手 ， 三九四九冰上走， 五九六九沿河看柳， 七九河开， 八九雁来， 九九加一九， 耕牛遍地走

First 9, second 9, hands in pocket. Third 9, forth 9, walking on ice. Fifth 9, sixth 9, willows on river Seventh 9, river breaks Eighth 9, geese come back Nineth 9, plus 9 buffalos plowing fields