節錄2026年4月29日澳門論壇日報
In the long river of traditional Chinese agricultural civilization, the Tong Sheng 《通勝》(also known as the Tong Shu 通書or Farmer’s Almanac農民曆) is more than just a reference book for selecting auspicious days and checking the time. It resembles an “encyclopedia” that encapsulates the ancient people’s astronomical observations, meteorological experiences, and philosophical thoughts. Opening the title page of any traditional Tong Sheng《通勝》, the first thing that catches the eye is the vividly colored and profoundly meaningful “Spring Ploughing Diagram” 《春牛圖》. Depicting a boy and an ox, the scene appears simple, yet it secretly harbors predictions for the weather, rainfall, and even harvests of the coming year. This represents a visualization of the wisdom of the ancients over millennia, who “observed celestial phenomena to delineate the seasons.”
Many are curious: why is the farmer (officially named “Mangshen, 芒神” the deity of vegetation) sometimes standing in front of the ox, sometimes beside it, and sometimes behind it? Why is he sometimes depicted as a youth, and other times as an elder? These details are not arbitrary; they are strictly derived from calculations based on the specific Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the year, the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, and the exact time of the “Beginning of Spring” (Li Chun) solar term. Today, let us use the year 2026 (Bingwu Year丙午年) as an example to explore the cultural code hidden within this ancient diagram.
I. The Appearance and Position of “Mangshen”芒神 in 2026 (Bingwu Year丙午年)
In the “Spring Ploughing Diagram, 《春牛圖》” the herder boy leading the ox is precisely “Mangshen芒神,” the deity in charge of the growth of flora. His image directly reflects the climatic characteristics and the timing of the farming season for that year.
- Mangshen’s芒神 Facial Appearance: Prime of Youth
The year 2026 is designated as Bingwu, with the Earthly Branch being “Wu” (Horse). In the classification of Earthly Branches within traditional culture, Zi 子(Rat), Wu 午(Horse), Mao兔 (Rabbit), and You酉 (Rooster) are known as the “Zhong Nian” (Mid-years仲年) .
The Rule States: For a “Zhong Nian仲年,” Mangshen’s芒神 image should be that of a young adult (prime of life) . His countenance should be full and spirited, possessing neither the innocence of a child nor the vicissitudes of old age.
Interpretation for Bingwu Year丙午年: Therefore, in the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” for 2026, the Mangshen 芒神we see is a young farmer in his prime. This indicates that the rhythm of the farming season for this year is in a state of normal vigor, where human effort and the timing of nature align appropriately. It implies that diligent labor will yield fruitful harvests.
- Mangshen’s 芒神Position: Standing in Front of the Ox
The positional relationship between Mangshen 芒神and the ox is not arbitrarily arranged by the artist; it serves to precisely indicate the time difference between the “Beginning of Spring”立春 (Li Chun) and the Spring Festival 春節(the first day of the first lunar month) .
The Rule States:
If Li Chun立春 falls more than five days before the first day of the first lunar month (i.e., Li Chun occurs in the preceding lunar year), Mangshen 芒神stands in front of the ox, indicating an early start to the agricultural season.
If Li Chun 立春falls more than five days after the first day of the first lunar month (i.e., Li Chun 立春occurs after the New Year), Mangshen 芒神stands behind the ox, indicating a later start.
If Li Chun 立春falls within five days before or after the first day of the first lunar month, Mangshen 芒神stands beside the ox, signifying a moderate and timely season.
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: Li Chun立春 for 2026 falls on February 4th in the Gregorian calendar, which corresponds to the 17th day of the 12th lunar month in the Yisi Year乙巳年 (still before entering the first month of the Bingwu Year). This is a classic case of “Li Chun立春 falling before the New Year.” According to the rule above, Mangshen 芒神should be positioned in front of the ox.
Interpretation: Mangshen芒神 leading from the front signifies that the breath of spring arrives relatively early, and the earth’s energy stirs quickly. This reminds us that although the Spring Festival of the Bingwu Year is later, the pace of the farming season has not slowed down. We need to plan ahead and prepare for sowing early by following nature’s timing, so as not to miss the opportunity simply because the New Year hasn’t arrived yet.
- Mangshen’s 芒神Footwear: Barefoot with Trousers Rolled Up
This is often the most discussed detail among folks observing the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖,” as it directly pertains to the amount of rainfall in the coming year.
The Rule States:
Mangshen芒神 wearing straw sandals on both feet: Predicts a drought for the year, requiring preparations for drought resistance.
Mangshen芒神 barefoot with trousers rolled high up: Predicts abundant rainfall for the year, possibly even leading to waterlogging or floods, thus requiring attention to flood prevention and drainage.
One foot shod, one foot bare: Predicts favorable weather (wind and rain coming in due time), with moderate rainfall, an omen for a rare bumper harvest year.
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: According to traditional almanac records, the image of Mangshen 芒神for the Bingwu Year 2026丙午年 is described as “wearing trousers, without puttees or shoes,” which is commonly referred to as barefoot with trousers rolled up .
Interpretation: This detail is crucial. The Heavenly Stem 天干and Earthly Branch 地支of Bingwu 丙午 both belong to the Fire element 五行(Bing is Yang Fire, Wu is Fire). It is inherently a year with extremely strong Fire energy, and conventionally, one might expect drought. However, the image of Mangshen芒神 barefoot with trousers rolled up presents a subtle “balance” or “warning”—it indicates that although the fiery heat energy will be strong this year, rainfall should not be underestimated. Particularly in specific seasons, the threat of floods and waterlogging might be greater than the threat of drought. The prophecies in the Di Mu Jing 地母經(Classic of the Earth Mother) for the Bingwu year 丙午年also mention “much flooding in spring and summer,” which corroborates this imagery .
II. The Form of the “Spring Ox”春牛 in 2026 (Bingwu Year丙午年)
The spring ox itself also carries a wealth of predictive information. Its color, posture, and even whether its mouth is open or closed are part of an ancient code.
- The Ox’s 春牛Color: Entirely Red
The color of the spring ox 春牛is not applied randomly; it is determined by the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch of the year.
The Rule States: The ox’s 春牛head represents the Heavenly Stem年干 of the year, and the ox’s 春牛body represents the Earthly Branch 地支.
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: 2026 is the Bingwu Year丙午年. The Heavenly Stem “Bing” 天干丙belongs to Fire, and its corresponding color is red. The Earthly Branch “Wu”地支午 also belongs to Fire, its color also being red.
Interpretation: Consequently, the spring ox春牛 for 2026 will be entirely red, with both head and body being red . Red is the color of Fire; the double Fire overlay strongly indicates that temperatures will be relatively high this year, requiring precautions against heatstroke, especially during the intense heat of summer. This also corresponds to the heat implied by Mangshen芒神 “not wearing a hat” (in the Bingwu year, 丙午年Mangshen芒神 has no hat, signifying heat). - The Ox’s Posture, Mouth, and Tail: Characteristics of a Yang Year
The Rule States: The opening or closing of the ox’s mouth and the direction of its tail swing distinguish a “Yang Year陽年from a “Yin Year”陰年” .
Yang Year: The ox’s mouth is open, and the tail swings to the left (the left as depicted in the diagram).
Yin Year: The ox’s mouth is closed, and the tail swings to the right .
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: The Heavenly Stem “Bing” is a Yang Stem, and the Earthly Branch “Wu” is a Yang Branch. Therefore, 2026 is a Yang Year.
Interpretation: Thus, in the diagram, the spring ox 春牛should be depicted with its mouth open, as if lowing, and its tail swinging to the left. An ox春牛 with an open mouth symbolizes the unimpeded flow of the earth’s energy and the robust vitality of all things sprouting and growing.
III. Summary of the Overall Annual Forecast
By synthesizing the various details from the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” for the Bingwu Year 2026, we can sketch the following picture of the year’s prospects:
The dominant theme for the year’s climate will be intense heat. The ox, completely red in color, and the vigorous Mangshen 芒神without a hat both serve as warnings about the strong predominance of Fire energy in the Bingwu year . However, the image of Mangshen 芒神standing barefoot with trousers rolled up is a warning imbued with dialectical thinking—it tells us that against the backdrop of scorching heat, extreme weather events will be frequent, and the risk of heavy localized rainfall and waterlogging will be high. Hence the saying: “Much flooding in summer and autumn; be cautious whether on high or low ground” .
Mangshen 芒神standing in front of the ox reminds us that although the year’s prospects seem complex, the footsteps of spring arrive early, and the start of the farming season is favorable. We must not delay due to apprehension about the year’s challenges. Mangshen’s 芒神youthful appearance also gives us confidence: by following nature’s timing and exerting human effort, we can find vitality amidst the interplay of Fire and Water.
The ancients left us the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” not to make us superstitiously believe in fate, but to encourage future generations, through such meticulous observations, to cultivate a sense of reverence for nature. It reminds us that no matter how advanced technology becomes, we still live in a world where understanding and communicating with Heaven and Earth remain profoundly relevant. Understanding the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” means understanding the Chinese concept of solar terms, and even more so, that wisdom of the mean—adapting to nature to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune.
II. The Form of the “Spring Ox”春牛 in 2026 (Bingwu Year丙午年)
The spring ox itself also carries a wealth of predictive information. Its color, posture, and even whether its mouth is open or closed are part of an ancient code.
- The Ox’s 春牛Color: Entirely Red
The color of the spring ox 春牛is not applied randomly; it is determined by the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch of the year.
The Rule States: The ox’s 春牛head represents the Heavenly Stem年干 of the year, and the ox’s 春牛body represents the Earthly Branch 地支.
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: 2026 is the Bingwu Year丙午年. The Heavenly Stem “Bing” 天干丙belongs to Fire, and its corresponding color is red. The Earthly Branch “Wu”地支午 also belongs to Fire, its color also being red.
Interpretation: Consequently, the spring ox春牛 for 2026 will be entirely red, with both head and body being red . Red is the color of Fire; the double Fire overlay strongly indicates that temperatures will be relatively high this year, requiring precautions against heatstroke, especially during the intense heat of summer. This also corresponds to the heat implied by Mangshen芒神 “not wearing a hat” (in the Bingwu year, 丙午年Mangshen芒神 has no hat, signifying heat). - The Ox’s Posture, Mouth, and Tail: Characteristics of a Yang Year
The Rule States: The opening or closing of the ox’s mouth and the direction of its tail swing distinguish a “Yang Year陽年from a “Yin Year”陰年” .
Yang Year: The ox’s mouth is open, and the tail swings to the left (the left as depicted in the diagram).
Yin Year: The ox’s mouth is closed, and the tail swings to the right .
Situation for Bingwu Year丙午年: The Heavenly Stem “Bing” is a Yang Stem, and the Earthly Branch “Wu” is a Yang Branch. Therefore, 2026 is a Yang Year.
Interpretation: Thus, in the diagram, the spring ox 春牛should be depicted with its mouth open, as if lowing, and its tail swinging to the left. An ox春牛 with an open mouth symbolizes the unimpeded flow of the earth’s energy and the robust vitality of all things sprouting and growing.
III. Summary of the Overall Annual Forecast
By synthesizing the various details from the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” for the Bingwu Year 2026, we can sketch the following picture of the year’s prospects:
The dominant theme for the year’s climate will be intense heat. The ox, completely red in color, and the vigorous Mangshen 芒神without a hat both serve as warnings about the strong predominance of Fire energy in the Bingwu year . However, the image of Mangshen 芒神standing barefoot with trousers rolled up is a warning imbued with dialectical thinking—it tells us that against the backdrop of scorching heat, extreme weather events will be frequent, and the risk of heavy localized rainfall and waterlogging will be high. Hence the saying: “Much flooding in summer and autumn; be cautious whether on high or low ground” .
Mangshen 芒神standing in front of the ox reminds us that although the year’s prospects seem complex, the footsteps of spring arrive early, and the start of the farming season is favorable. We must not delay due to apprehension about the year’s challenges. Mangshen’s 芒神youthful appearance also gives us confidence: by following nature’s timing and exerting human effort, we can find vitality amidst the interplay of Fire and Water.
The ancients left us the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” not to make us superstitiously believe in fate, but to encourage future generations, through such meticulous observations, to cultivate a sense of reverence for nature. It reminds us that no matter how advanced technology becomes, we still live in a world where understanding and communicating with Heaven and Earth remain profoundly relevant. Understanding the “Spring Ploughing Diagram春牛圖” means understanding the Chinese concept of solar terms, and even more so, that wisdom of the mean—adapting to nature to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune.
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