In China, the period from 771 to 476 BC is called the Spring and Autumn period. It sounds quite lovely and sweet, but it was quite the opposite. Conflicts and changes were taking place during the Eastern Zhou era, the period was marked by a decline in Zhou court power and a slight increase in power of individual states. The Spring and Autumn period represented a rich period of different philosophies and ideas.
“Spring'' stands for a new period of growth in Chinese culture. It represents the period of new ideas sprouting up all over the place.
“Autumn” is known for a period where foliage dies off and a period to head into the harsh winter.
The Chinese believe this is also applicable to humanity. When talking about the ‘Spring and Autumn period’ we can translate this to a period of new ideas and growth but also a period of goodbye and ending of times as they were.
During these years a shift of Chinese kingdoms took place and individual states increased in power. Some major philosophers (Han Feizi, Shang Yang, Mozi, Confucius, Mencius) wrote about the new period and philosophy which led into the Warring State period that followed up on the Spring and Autumn period.
Up until this day spring and autumn have a strong meaningful representation of new beginnings and endings.