Early forms of 春 vary, but they commonly combine sprouting plants with 屯, which supplied a sound clue and may also have suggested growth pushing upward. Some ancient forms add 日, the sun. The parts were gradually compressed into today’s 春. Because the old forms are not all identical, this sketch shows the recurring sprouts, central growth and sun rather than pretending there was one fixed original picture.
A piece of culture
Spring begins the new year 春节 / 春節 is the Spring Festival: chūnjié in Mandarin and ceon1 zit3 in Cantonese. It marks the traditional new year and brings family reunions, red decorations and wishes for a fortunate year. The festival can fall while winter weather still lingers because its date follows the traditional lunisolar calendar, not a fixed day in the Gregorian calendar.