The Complete Works of Tomb-Sweeping Day's Handwritten Newspaper —— The Cultural Connotation of Tomb-Sweeping Day
Tomb-Sweeping Day, with both natural and humanistic connotations, is not only one of the "24 solar terms", but also a traditional festival for ancestor worship. "Twenty-four solar terms" is the product of ancient farming civilization, which not only plays a guiding role in agricultural production, but also affects ancient people's food, clothing, housing and transportation, and even cultural concepts. The "Twenty-four solar terms" were originally determined by the rotation direction of bucket handle, the Big Dipper, which rotates circularly and is closely related to the twenty-four solar terms. In different seasons and at different times, the Big Dipper will point in different directions, which has also become the basis for ancient people to judge the changes of solar terms, that is, the so-called "bucket handle points to the east, and the world is spring. Guide to barrel handles, it's summer all over the world. Bucket handle refers to the west, and the world is autumn. Bucket handle refers to the north, and the world is winter. ". "Twenty-four solar terms" is a special festival to express natural rhythm changes and establish "December construction" in the trunk calendar. Years old is divided into "December construction" in the official calendar (December of the lunar calendar or the twelfth year of the earthly branch). "Jian" represents the direction of the top of Beidou bucket handle, and bucket handle rotates to "twelfth lunar month" in turn. In traditional culture, the branch is linked with the time position of gossip, and the yin position is the "root position" of gossip the day after tomorrow. It is the position at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, representing the end and the beginning, such as Yi Shuo Gua Zhuan: "The root, the divination in the northeast, is also the beginning of everything." Therefore, bucket handle starts from the north of due east (yin position, gossip position the day after tomorrow) and rotates around east, south, west and north, which is called one of the "years old". When bucket handle points to the "B" position due east and south, it is clear and clear. Tomb-Sweeping Day is full of air, everything is clean, full of vitality, and the temperature rises. The earth presents the image of spring and tranquility, which is a good time for spring outing and grave sweeping in the suburbs.
Tomb-Sweeping Day is the most solemn festival for ancestor worship of the Chinese nation, and it belongs to a traditional cultural festival for ancestor worship. Tomb-Sweeping Day embodies the national spirit, inherits the sacrificial culture of Chinese civilization, and expresses people's moral feelings of respecting and honoring their ancestors. Grave-sweeping is "grave-sweeping sacrifice", which is called "respecting time" for ancestors. Spring and Autumn Festival has existed since ancient times. Tomb-Sweeping Day has a long history, which originated from ancient ancestral beliefs and spring sacrifices. According to the research results of modern anthropology and archaeology, the two most primitive beliefs of human beings are the belief in heaven and earth and the belief in ancestors. According to archaeological excavations, a 10,000-year-old tomb was found at the Qingtang site in Yingde, Guangdong Province, which is the earliest tomb in China, indicating that ancient ancestors had a clear sense of burial behavior and customs thousands of years ago. The custom of "grave-sweeping sacrifice" has a long history, and Qingming "grave-sweeping sacrifice" is the synthesis and sublimation of traditional spring customs. The establishment of the ancient branch calendar provided decisive conditions for the formation of festivals. Ancestor belief and sacrificial culture were important factors in the formation of ancestral worship custom in Qingming Festival. Tomb-Sweeping Day is rich in customs, which can be summarized into two festivals and traditions: one is to pay homage to ancestors, and the other is to pursue the future with caution. The second is outing and getting close to nature. Tomb-Sweeping Day not only has the theme of sweeping, remembering and remembering, but also has the theme of taking an outing and enjoying the body and mind. The traditional concept of "harmony between man and nature" has been vividly reflected in Tomb-Sweeping Day. Through historical development, Tomb-Sweeping Day has integrated the customs of the Cold Food Festival and Shangsi Festival in Tang and Song Dynasties, and integrated various folk customs, which has extremely rich cultural connotations.
Tomb-Sweeping Day's Manuscript II. Tomb-Sweeping Day custom
Tomb-Sweeping Day's customs are rich and interesting. In addition to paying attention to the prohibition of fire to sweep graves, there are a series of customs and sports activities such as jogging, swinging, cuju, playing polo and inserting willows. According to legend, this is because Tomb-Sweeping Day wants to ban cold food and fire. In order to prevent the harm of cold food and cold meal to people, we all take part in some sports activities to exercise. Therefore, this festival is a distinctive festival, with both sad tears to sweep graves and laughter for an outing.
1, the custom of sweeping graves to worship ancestors
In the history of China, it has long been a custom to eat cold food, forbid fire and pay homage to ancestors. After the Tang Dynasty, the Cold Food Festival gradually declined, and Tomb-Sweeping Day's grave-sweeping and ancestor worship became a continuous festival tradition. Bai Juyi, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty, wrote in his poem "Cold Food and Wild Hope": "Who cries when birds are singing? The wind blows the paper money in the wilderness, and the ancient tomb is full of spring grass. Li Tanghua reflects poplar trees, full of life and death parting places. " Mysterious desert and heavy spring are crying, but people who are raining at dusk and dusk go home. "Song Dynasty poet Koguryo once described in a poem:" There are many tombs in the north and south, and the Qingming is different. Paper ashes fly into white butterflies, and tears are dyed into red azaleas. "At sunset, not a drop reached Jiuquan on the fox's grave!" Even in today's society, before and after Tomb-Sweeping Day, people still have the custom of going to graves to pay homage to their ancestors: uprooting weeds, placing offerings, burning incense and praying in front of graves, burning paper money and gold ingots, or simply offering a bunch of flowers to express their memory of their ancestors.
2. The custom of jogging
When I was in Tomb-Sweeping Day, it was the time for spring to return to the earth. People took advantage of this benefit. After sweeping the graves, the whole family, old and young, enjoyed themselves in the countryside of Shan Ye. When they got home, they broke some branches and put them on their heads. They were very happy. When some people are hiking in the suburbs during their stay in Tomb-Sweeping Day, they deliberately go to nature to enjoy and appreciate the vibrant spring scenery, and express their sense of stagnation since the severe winter. This kind of outing is also called spring outing. In ancient times, it was called exploring spring and seeking spring. It means stepping on the grass, playing in the country and watching the spring.
Tomb-Sweeping Day is a good time to go for an outing, so it has become an important part of Tomb-Sweeping Day customs. Ancient women could not go out casually on weekdays, and it was a rare opportunity for Tomb-Sweeping Day to visit the grave. Therefore, in Tomb-Sweeping Day, women have more fun than men, and there is a folk saying called "Women's Qingming Year".
3. The custom of inserting willows
Tomb-Sweeping Day is the time when willows sprout and smoke is green. There are folk customs of folding willow, piercing willow and inserting willow. When people go out for an outing, they break off some wicker branches, which can be played with in their hands, woven into hats and worn on their heads, or taken home and inserted on the lintels and eaves. There are proverbs that "a beauty becomes a bright eye without wearing willow in Qingming Festival" and "a dog turns yellow after death without wearing willow in Qingming Festival", which shows that folding willow in Qingming Festival is a very common custom in the old society. It is said that willow branches can ward off evil spirits, so it is not only a fashionable decoration, but also has the effect of praying for evil spirits. It may also be related to the custom of using willow branches to beg for new fire in the past cold food festival. Today, it seems that breaking willow branches at will is a kind of damage to trees and should not be advocated.
The custom of planting trees by inserting willows in Tomb-Sweeping Day is said to commemorate Shennong who invented various agricultural production tools and tasted all kinds of herbs. On the other hand, it is said that the willow tree that meson held when he died came back to life. Jin Wengong named it Qingming Willow and folded it into a circle to wear on her head. This custom was later introduced to people. Although the sources of allusions are different, these customs are still inseparable from the joy of people returning to the earth in spring.
4. The custom of Qingming entertainment
In addition to the above-mentioned custom of sweeping graves to worship ancestors and stepping on grass to insert willows, there are many purely recreational customs in Tomb-Sweeping Day that have been loved by people for thousands of years, such as hanging hooks, flying kites, swinging, shooting willows, cuju, etc., which were all the rage for a while, but now they are rare.
5, the custom of hook
"Hook" is an ancient name, but it is actually a modern tug of war. According to legend, in the Spring and Autumn Period, in order to attack the State of Wu, the State of Chu used the hook movement to enhance people's physique. It is mainly based on a hemp rope, and its two ends are divided into many small ropes. In the competition, a big flag is the boundary. At the command, the two sides pulled the rope hard, and the drums sounded with the music. The two sides cheered and shouted, which was very lively.
6. The custom of flying kites
Flying kites is one of people's favorite activities in Tomb-Sweeping Day. The ancients believed that if someone was sick, they could write down or draw their illness on the kite, tie the kite in the air with a string, let it fly to the sky, cut the cable, and the disease disaster would fly away with the kite. Later, kites gradually developed into a popular outing entertainment.
Pan Rongbi, a writer in A Qing, wrote in "Ji Sheng at the Age of Emperor Jingdi": "When sweeping graves in Qingming Festival, men and women in the whole city flocked out from the suburbs, carrying boxes and wheels facing each other. Everyone brings a kite spool, and it will be better to put it in front of the grave after the sacrifice. " The ancients also thought that the Qingming wind was very suitable for flying kites. Jia Qinglu said: "The wind of spring is from bottom to top, and kites rise because of it, so there is a proverb" Clear and clear ". "In ancient times, flying kites was not only an entertainment activity, but also an act of witchcraft: they thought flying kites could release their bad breath. Therefore, when flying kites in Tomb-Sweeping Day, many people will write all the disasters they know on paper kites. When the kite flies high, they cut the kite string and let the kite float away with the wind, symbolizing that their illness and dirty air have been taken away by the kite.
7. The custom of swinging
Swing was originally called "Qian Qiu". According to legend, the swing was introduced by Qi Huangong, a native of Shanrong, a northern ethnic group in the Spring and Autumn Period, and became a folk game in Tomb-Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Cold Food Festival after the Han Dynasty. At first, the swing was made of rope and swung by hand. Later, it developed into a wooden frame with two ropes hanging on it and a cross board tied under it.
Swing plays were popular in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The Chronicle of Jingchu records: "In spring, a long rope hangs on a big tree, and a scholar and a woman sit on it and push it, which is called swinging." Swing was a very common game in the Tang Dynasty, and it became an important part of Tomb-Sweeping Day customs. Because swings can be seen everywhere in Tomb-Sweeping Day, Tomb-Sweeping Day was designated as a swing festival in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and swings were also installed in palaces for queens, concubines and maids to play with.
Today's parks and playgrounds still have swings for children to play with.
8. The custom of shooting willows
Shooting willow is a game to practice archery. According to the records of the Ming Dynasty, pigeons were placed in gourds, then the gourds were hung high on willow trees, and the gourds and pigeons flew out with bows, and the victory or defeat was judged by the height of the flying pigeons.
9. The custom of cuju
Besides ancestor worship and grave sweeping, there are various outdoor activities in Tomb-Sweeping Day, such as hiking, outing and swinging. While paying homage to the sorrow of remembering, it also blends the atmosphere of enjoying spring with joy. Among these activities, "Cuju" is a very interesting activity. Cuju, the predecessor of football, is made of leather and stuffed with wool. According to legend, Cuju existed before the Shang Dynasty, and it flowed into the people during the Warring States Period. In the Han Dynasty, it was even used to practice martial arts in the military and was included in art books.
Cuju means kicking the ball with your feet. It originated from Linzi, the ancient capital of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The Tang and Song Dynasties were the most prosperous, and there were often scenes of "the ball never dropped in one day" and "the ball never left the foot, the foot never left the ball, and the Huating watched the war, and thousands of people watched the war". Song Taizu Cuju Map depicts the scene at that time. Du Fu wrote in the poem "Qingming Festival" that "Cuju is ten years away, and the custom of swinging in Wan Li is the same", which also shows the popularity of Cuju activities at that time. Under the traditional cultural background of "golden mean", Cuju gradually evolved from an antagonistic competition to a performance competition. There are few records about Cuju activities in Qing history books.
In recent years, Cuju fever has resurfaced in Zibo, the birthplace of Cuju. Many citizens participated, which not only exercised their bodies, but also passed on the folk customs for more than 2,000 years.
10, the custom of cockfighting
In ancient times, cockfighting competitions prevailed in Qingming, which began in Qingming and lasted until the summer solstice. The earliest record of cockfighting in China can be found in Zuo Zhuan. In the Tang dynasty, cockfighting became a common practice, not only among the people, but also the emperor. For example, Tang Xuanzong likes cockfighting best.
1 1, the custom of silkworm flower festival
Silkworm Flower Festival "Silkworm Flower Festival" is a unique folk culture in Silkworm Township. During the past period in Tomb-Sweeping Day, this folk activity was held in Wu Tong, Wuzhen, Chongfu and Zhouquan. Among them, A?vagho?a Temple in Zhouquan and Double Temple in Qingshi are the most spectacular. A?vagho?a Temple, located in the west of Zhouquan Town, is known locally as "the king of temples". Every year, there are many activities, such as welcoming the silkworm god, rocking the clippers, making trouble in Taiwan Pavilion, worshiping incense benches, boxing, playing dragon lanterns, lifting poles and singing operas. Some of these activities are carried out on shore, and most of them are carried out on ships, which is very characteristic of water towns. In recent years, in the activities of Shixiang in Wuzhen, only a few projects, such as meeting silkworm gods, stepping on white boats and lifting poles, have great potential to be tapped.
12, the custom of tug-of-war
It was called "tug of war" in the early days and "strong hook" in the Tang Dynasty. It was invented at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, which became popular in the military and later spread among the people. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, a large tug-of-war was held in Tomb-Sweeping Day. Since then, tug-of-war has become a part of the Qingming custom.
Tomb-Sweeping Day's Manuscript Complete Works: Three Classic Ancient Poems of Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Qingming Festival
Dondum
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day; The mourner's heart is going to break on his way.
Ask local people where to buy wine? The shepherd boy just laughed and didn't answer Xingshan Village.
Qingming Festival
Tangsong wenzhi
It's already on the way to late spring when I meet cold food immediately.
Poor Jiang, I can't see Luo Qiao people.
The Arctic cherishes the sage, and Nanwa is the vassal.
In the old garden, wicker is new day and night.
Qingming Festival
Tang Han 'ao
In late spring, Chang 'an city is full of songs and dances, and countless flowers fall. The east wind of the Cold Food Festival blows on the willow trees in the royal garden.
As night fell, the palace was busy lighting candles, and smoke drifted to the house of the prince and the marquis.
Qingming night
Tang Bai Juyi
At night in Tomb-Sweeping Day, the breeze is blowing gently and the moonlight is hazy. The railing made of jasper and the wall made of red bricks are the residence of the governor.
Walking alone in a roundabout song, bloom's voice is far from being heard.
The door is that thing.
Tang zhangji
The tiller calls for love for the boat, and the spring grass is green and the fields are green.
Try going to the Wumen Gate to see the county Guo, there is new smoke in Qingming.
Qingming Festival
Wang Song Yuqiao
I have lived in Tomb-Sweeping Day without flowers and wine. Like a monk in a temple, everything is depressing and lonely for me.
Yesterday, I discussed new kindling from my neighbor's house, and early in Tomb-Sweeping Day, I lit in front of the window and sat down to study.
Su Causeway is a tomb-sweeping day.
Wu Song prestige
Pears bloom in the light, and wanderers go out of the city in spring.
At dusk, the songs are ready, and the willows belong to a warbler.
Doing things in the suburbs is doing things.
Song Cheng Hao
The grass is growing, and the spring is around the mountain.
Xing chased the red through Liuxiang, and sat in Diji because of running water.
Don't say goodbye to wine, lest the wind turn red.
Besides, it's Tomb-Sweeping Day today, and it's met with fine weather. It's very suitable for sightseeing, but you can't leave.
The complete works of Tomb-Sweeping Day's handwritten newspaper, Tomb-Sweeping Day's composition.
In my memory, Tomb-Sweeping Day is a solemn and warm festival. When the willow puts on a light green skirt. When peach blossoms and apricot blossoms smile at us. When the sky is clear and the air is fresh in spring, Tomb-Sweeping Day arrives.
My parents were told by my grandparents a week ago when to "run" Tomb-Sweeping Day. My grandparents had already prepared "gifts" to worship their ancestors, a lot of paper commonly known as "paste paper", a basket of "gold ingots" (this is not really a gold ingot, of course, but made of a piece of gold paper), and many "coins" that are very similar to real money, which are quite interesting.
Every time we "run" Tomb-Sweeping Day, there are always a lot of people in our group, and seven aunts and eight aunts set off from home to the countryside. Adults always feel serious and sad at the grave for a while. Grandma will shed a few tears when she arrives at her great-grandmother's grave. The adults put a sumptuous meal on the grave, poured wine, and then burned "Mingbi" and "Jin Yuanbao", saying that their ancestors had enough money to spend in another world. I really don't understand how they spend the money.
Then, we take turns to bow down and kowtow at the tomb in an orderly manner. In fact, most of me don't know who is bowing. Adults talk about the past, and some reveal each other's childhood stories, which often make me laugh.
We walked all the way, paying tribute to our ancestors. Sometimes we see thorns in front of their graves, and there are no "banners" in the graves. Adults will let us children take one and plug it in, because it is said that no one will come to worship and the people in the grave will be laughed at and bullied by the people in the grave.
It's quiet in the forest. I can hear all kinds of birds singing and the rustling of pine trees. The roadside is full of unknown wild flowers. I look at this for a while and touch that for a while, so happy!
Next, I will follow the adults to visit the living elders. We went door-to-door with gifts, and those elders knew about it long ago and came out to meet us. At that time, they were full of laughter and excitement. There was a great-grandmother who was in her nineties, lost all her teeth, and walked on her own with crutches, and her body was quite strong.
On the way, cars came and went, and I recognized those license plates, some of which came from far away.
Tomb-Sweeping Day, the elders visited the grave to worship their ancestors. Our children go for an outing and spring outing, but it is a happy time to reunite with their loved ones.
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