1. The spring ox rite.
立春前一日，開封府進春牛入禁中鞭春。開封、祥符兩縣，置春牛於府前。至日絕早，府僚打春，如方州儀。府前左右，百姓賣小春牛，往往花裝欄坐，上列百戲人物，春幡雪柳，各相獻遺。春日，宰執親王百官，皆賜金銀幡勝。入賀訖，戴歸私第。
The day before Beginning of Spring, the Kaifeng prefecture drove the spring ox into the palace for the whipping rite. The two counties of Kaifeng and Xiangfu placed their spring oxen before the prefecture gate. At dawn the prefectural officials performed the beating, following the same protocol as in the provinces. On either side of the gate the people sold miniature spring oxen, often flower-decked with railings, topped with acrobatic figures; spring pennants and snow willows were exchanged as gifts. On spring day the chief councillors, princes and all officials were granted silver and gold pennants. After the audience they wore them home.
The entry is a single breath: prefecture to palace, county to street, court to official. The spring ox travels upward (from prefecture into the palace) while its miniature copies travel outward (from the county gate to the people). The officials receive pennants and wear them home — the season’s change is visible on their bodies as they disperse. Southern Song Hangzhou sources describe parallel customs; the page keeps them as comparison only.
The text is short. The ritual is complete.
Whipping the spring ox. The prefecture drove the ox into the palace; the two counties placed their own at the prefecture gate.
Miniature spring oxen sold by street vendors. Southern Song Hangzhou sources describe the same trade — comparative only.
Court gift to all officials, worn home after the audience.
The prefecture’s rite: driving the spring ox into the palace.
Street-vendor versions of the rite ox, sold with figurines.
Paper and silk ornaments exchanged at the new season.
The court’s official spring gift to officials.