The Spring Equinox, the fourth solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, carries people's expectations for the recovery of the earth and the hope of sowing seeds for the future. As a timekeeping system and social practice unique to Chinese people, the 24 solar terms project was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2016, demonstrating Chinese people's wisdom to keep pace with the times, work hard and live in harmony with nature.
Ding Dong! As this year's Spring Equinox approaches, we have received a letter full of intellectual property (IP) elements. The letter reads, "On the day of Spring Equinox, people fly kites, eat spring bamboo shoots, grow spring seedlings, and try to balance eggs, all in celebration of traditional customs and the arrival of spring. As we look around, IP elements including patents, trademarks and geographical indications (GIs) can be seen everywhere, adding vitality to the season. " Come and explore this "IP Letter" with us!
flying kites
As the weather warms up during spring, kite flying becomes a popular choice for people's outdoor activities. China has a long history of kite-making, and the kite's craftsmanship reveals artisans' dedication and rich culture, carrying good wishes for freedom, dream and hope of Chinese people.
Weifang, Shandong Province is famous for its kites. As one of the first batch of China's national ICH projects, the Weifang kite has been continuously improving its technologies over the years in production materials, painting techniques, and design patterns. It has also collaborated with famous IPs such as "Honor of Kings" and "Black Myth: Wukong", and unique cultural and creative products are created. The city has attached great importance to IP protection and utilization in the kite industry by encouraging enterprises to register trademarks, copyrights, and patents. With the growing influence of the Weifang International Kite Festival, the Weifang kite has become a shining symbol of Chinese culture.
growing spring seedlings
For farmers, agricultural activities on the Spring Equinox are directly related to the year's yield. Scientific planting management and advanced agricultural technologies and equipment have become the key to cultivating spring seedlings, and increasing dissemination rate of spring seed and yield.
In the field, patented agricultural equipment such as 5G-powered smart farming management platforms, autonomous pesticide sprayers, and seed scanning machines capable of "CT scans" are taking center stage in the arena of spring sowing. Among these, agricultural machinery are integrated with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System to realize autonomous driving and precision farming. To solve traditional problems including misaligned furrows and uneven plowing depths, many technology enterprises have actively developed patent portfolios and established barriers in key technical areas, significantly improving seed germination rates.
eating bamboo shoots
The Spring Equinox is an important time to enjoy seasonal vegetables. Newly picked spring bamboo shoots are not only tasty, but also rich in vitamins and other nutrients, adding a refreshing touch to people's dining tables.
Among the spring bamboo shoots, GI products including Deqing Zao Yuan Bamboo Shoots, Chongyang Lei Bamboo Shoots, and Xiniu Bamboo Shoots are widely favored by consumers for their high quality and rich product categories. For example, Qingyuan of Guangdong Province, has actively promoted the "Bamboo Shoot Plus" mode by developing deep-processed products such as ready-to-eat bamboo shoots, and biodegradable tableware made from bamboo powder. Driven by this, the annual output value of the Xiniu Ma Bamboo Shoot industry has exceeded 10 billion yuan, with products exported to Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America.
balancing eggs
In Chinese folklore, there is an interesting custom on the Spring Equinox called "egg balancing". As early as 4,000 years ago, Chinese people celebrated the arrival of spring in this way according to historical records, carrying their hopes for a prosperous future. Today, this Chinese custom has gained global popularity, becoming a famous international event.
Egg, a seemingly ordinary ingredient, is intricately linked to IP. Huixian eggs, Changshun green-shelled eggs and other GI products are enjoying strong market demand. Patented innovations in egg quality inspection methods and smart egg storage systems are both practical and fascinating. The Eggshell Carving, an ICH project of Haidian District, Beijing, introduces modern techniques and methods to create a world on eggshells. With the help of IP, small eggs have become "golden eggs", opening up new opportunities for rural development and cultural heritage preservation.