Core Viewpoint - The notion that the Year of the Horse (丙午马年) will have no "Lichun" (立春) is a misconception, as the year does indeed contain this solar term, albeit at the end of the year [1][3]. Group 1: Misconceptions about "No Spring Year" - The term "No Spring Year" refers to the year 2026, where the Lichun falls on February 4, which is still within the lunar calendar of the previous year [1]. - The claim that "No Spring Year" is a rare occurrence is a cognitive bias; such years are not uncommon [4]. - The concept of "Double Spring" (双春) or "Two Springs" is also prevalent, indicating that these phenomena are part of the natural calendar cycle [4]. Group 2: Calendar Mechanics - Lichun is fixed in the solar calendar around February 4, while the lunar calendar varies, leading to discrepancies in the timing of solar terms [5]. - The lunar calendar's adjustments, such as leap months, cause the solar terms to shift within the lunar year [5][7]. - On average, "No Spring Years" or "Double Spring Years" occur approximately every 19 years, with 7 occurrences, roughly every 2 to 3 years [7]. Group 3: Historical Context - Historical texts have never classified "No Spring" as a wedding taboo; this belief is a modern misinterpretation [8]. - The original term for a year without Lichun was "寡春年" (Guachun Year), which was later misinterpreted as "widow year" due to linguistic confusion [9]. - Traditional marriage practices in ancient China were not influenced by the presence or absence of Lichun, as evidenced by numerous marriage records from "No Spring Years" [9][11].

Core Viewpoint - The notion that the Year of the Horse in 2026 is a "no spring year" is inaccurate, as it still includes the spring of 2027, which falls on February 4, 2027 [1][2]. Group 1: Lunar Calendar and Spring - The Year of the Horse (2026) will have its New Year on February 17, 2026, and will include the spring date of February 4, 2027, thus it is not a "no spring year" [1][2]. - The concept of "no spring year" and "double spring year" is a common phenomenon in the lunar calendar, which does not correlate with auspiciousness for marriage [2][3]. Group 2: Cultural Beliefs and Misconceptions - The belief that "no spring year" is inauspicious for marriage stems from ancient associations of spring with fertility and growth, leading to superstitions that lack scientific basis [2]. - Despite the misconceptions, millions of couples marry each year, and their marital success is not influenced by the presence or absence of spring in the lunar calendar [2].

Core Viewpoint - The notion that the Year of the Horse in 2026 is a "no spring year" is inaccurate, as it actually includes the spring festival of 2027, which falls on February 6, 2027 [1]. Group 1: Lunar Calendar and Spring Festival - The Year of the Horse (2026) will have its spring festival on February 17, 2026, and it includes the spring day of February 4, 2027, making the claim of a "no spring year" misleading [1]. - The lunar calendar has specific rules regarding leap months and the occurrence of spring days, which can lead to years with "no spring" or "double spring" [1]. Group 2: Cultural Beliefs and Marriage - The belief that "no spring years" are inauspicious for marriage stems from ancient associations of spring with fertility and growth, leading to superstitions that lack scientific basis [2]. - Despite these beliefs, millions of couples marry each year, and their marital success is not dependent on whether the lunar year has a spring [2]. - The next true "no spring year" will be in 2027, during the Year of the Sheep, further illustrating that such phenomena are common in the lunar calendar and do not affect individual destinies [2].

Group 1 - The beginning of spring is marked by the arrival of Lichun, which typically occurs on February 3rd, 4th, or 5th in the Gregorian calendar [4][3] - The concept of "counting the nines" starts from the winter solstice, totaling 81 days, indicating the cold period of winter [1] - Lichun signifies the start of spring farming activities and is associated with the agricultural calendar, indicating a fruitful year ahead [3][4] Group 2 - There are interesting phenomena related to Lichun, such as "no spring year," "single spring year," and "double spring year," which refer to the occurrences of Lichun in the lunar calendar [4] - The upcoming lunar year of the Horse will have only one Lichun on February 4, 2027, categorizing it as a "single spring year" [7] - Lichun can coincide with the Spring Festival, creating a unique overlap that signifies the start of both the solar and lunar new years [7]