Hello, I'm Hestia, a Korean language teacher.
March is here! In Korea, March is known as the month of 'new beginnings.' The Lunar New Year holiday has just passed, a new school semester is starting, and the cold winter is finally retreating to make way for warm spring.
But here's a fun fact — Korean spring actually begins in February!
What Are the 24 Seasonal Nodes (절기, Jeolgi)?
Around the world, we divide the year into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. March is generally considered the start of spring. However, Korea and much of East Asia have traditionally used a different system called the 24 Seasonal Nodes (24절기, Iship-sa Jeolgi).
This system divides the year based on the sun's position along the ecliptic into 24 equal segments of 15 degrees each. Back when farming was the foundation of daily life, people needed more than just four broad seasons — they needed a precise 'agricultural navigation system' that told them exactly when to sow seeds and when to harvest.
Under this system, spring begins in February and transitions through 6 distinct phases. Even today, Koreans use these seasonal nodes to sense nature's subtle shifts, eat seasonal foods, and live in rhythm with the natural world.
The 6 Seasonal Nodes of Korean Spring
1. Ipchun (입춘, 立春) — February 4, 2026
Meaning: The beginning of spring.
About this node: On this day, Korean households traditionally hang a phrase on their front gate: '입춘대길 건양다경 (立春大吉 建 陽多慶)' — meaning 'May great fortune come with spring, and may warm, joyful days be plentiful.' The weather is still cold, but if you pay close attention, you can feel a faint warmth beginning to weave its way into the winter wind.
2. Usu (우수, 雨水) — February 19, 2026
Meaning: Snow melts and turns to rain.
About this node: Frozen rivers begin to thaw, and the weather gradually warms. A well-known Korean proverb goes: '우수 경칩에 대동강 풀린다' — 'By Usu and Gyeongchip, even the Daedong River thaws.'
Proverb story: The Daedong River runs through Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea — much like the Han River runs through Seoul. It is a large river that used to freeze solid every winter. When the Daedong began to thaw, it was considered a sure sign that true spring had arrived across the entire Korean Peninsula.
3. Gyeongchip (경칩, 驚蟄) — March 5, 2026
Meaning: Insects and frogs awakening from hibernation.
About this node: Temperatures rise noticeably and all of nature stirs back to life. In traditional farming communities, frogs were beloved creatures — they ate harmful insects and helped protect the harvest. The moment frogs woke from their winter sleep and began croaking loudly to find mates, the once-silent rice paddies would suddenly burst with sound. For farmers, nothing announced spring more unmistakably than that chorus of frogs.
Traditional custom: On Gyeongchip, people traditionally drink sap collected from maple trees (고로쇠 수액, gorosoe suaek). It is believed to be good for the body after the long winter.
4. Chunbun (춘분, 春分) — March 20, 2026
Meaning: The spring equinox — day and night are equal in length.
About this node: From this day onward, days grow longer than nights, and farmers begin preparing their fields in earnest. It was customary to share rice cakes (떡, tteok) with farmworkers as a wish for a bountiful year. Kings would even observe the shape of clouds and the direction of the wind to predict that year's harvest.
Proverb story: There is a saying, '춘분 바람에 빌어먹자,' which roughly means 'if the spring equinox brings strong winds, we'll have nothing to eat' — a warning that fierce winds at this time could ruin the crops. Spring winds are strong during this period, so Koreans say to dress warmly and watch out for colds!
5. Cheongmyeong (청명, 淸明) — April 5, 2026
Meaning: The sky gradually clears and brightens.
About this node: Cheongmyeong often coincides with South Korea's Arbor Day (식목일, Sikmongil) — a national day for planting trees. The weather is beautifully clear and sunny, making it the most ideal time of year for outdoor farmwork. Spring flowers bloom in full force during this period, making it the perfect time to enjoy Korea's gorgeous spring scenery. Schools typically hold their spring field trips around this time, too!
6. Gogu (곡우, 穀雨) — April 20, 2026
Meaning: Spring rain (雨) nourishes the grain (穀).
About this node: Gogu is the final seasonal node of spring. The rain that falls during this period was critically important for the year's crops. There is also a tradition of drinking '곡우물 (gogu-mul)' — sap that seeps out when tree bark is cut around this time — which is said to keep you healthy and free of illness throughout the year.
Proverb story: '곡우에 비가 안 오면 입이 짧아진다' — 'If it doesn't rain on Gogu, mouths grow small.' This means that without rain, the harvest will fail and there will be little to eat. Once Gogu passes, the warmth of summer slowly begins to make its way in.
A Final Thought
Today we explored the 6 seasonal nodes that open Korean spring. With each shift happening roughly two weeks apart, can you sense how closely Korea's ancestors lived alongside nature?
Wherever you are in the world this year, why not try tuning into the subtle changes of the season — just as Koreans have done for centuries?
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Next month, we'll be looking at the seasonal foods (제철 음식, Jechol eumsik) that Koreans enjoy during spring. Stay tuned! :)
