節錄2026年4月29日澳門論壇日報

Traditional Interpretation of the "Spring Ploughing Diagram" 《春牛圖》for the Bingwu Year (2026)

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.

1. 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).

2. 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.