Among the 24 solar terms, spring can best reflect the change of seasons, which guides agricultural activities and affects the food, clothing, housing and transportation of thousands of households. The festival custom of spring solar terms is the original cultural heritage of the ancient working people in China.
As the saying goes, spring is also a busy season; "A year's plan lies in spring", as long as you are diligent, what you sow in spring will be harvested in autumn.
Legend has it that in ancient times, a year before the spring, a plague suddenly occurred in a village. The whole village felt dizzy and weak, and people collapsed to the ground like mud.
Just then, a man dressed as an old monk came to the village. He prayed to Guanyin Bodhisattva in the South China Sea for the cure of the plague in time and came to this village to save people.
Avalokitesvara asked the monks to get some green and red radishes for everyone to eat. As a result, it really works. After eating radish, people's minds immediately wake up, their stomachs are unobstructed, their bones are relaxed and their arms and legs are strong.
People stood up and kowtowed to the monk, thanking him for saving his life. The monk said, "Don't thank me, you should thank Guanyin Bodhisattva. But now everyone should save others. There are still many radishes in my house. Let's go to the neighboring village to save people! "
Hearing this, the villagers rushed to Shiliba Village with radishes. Everyone ate carrots in time, the plague was quickly lifted, and people lived a quiet and happy life again.
People will never forget the monk, the radish that saved them from suffering. Since then, rural people have had to store more radishes in vegetable pits in winter so that they can eat them in spring.
So the custom of "eating spring" was formed and continues to this day. This is how the agricultural proverb "eat radish in spring and communicate with the atmosphere" comes from.
Beginning of spring was the beginning of spring in ancient times. In the eyes of the ancients, beginning of spring was an important solar term. According to historical records, from the Zhou Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, officials regarded beginning of spring as an important festival and held various celebrations to welcome the spring.
On that day in beginning of spring, when the east wind thawed, it was time to persuade farmers. "Agriculture is the foundation of the country" and "Food is the most important thing for the people" are the traditions of China for thousands of years. Since ancient times, every spring, from the emperor of the imperial court to the officials of counties and counties, a grand welcoming ceremony will be held. Book of rites? "Moon Order" records that "the son of heaven led the officials and princes to welcome the spring in the eastern suburbs".
By the Han Dynasty, the Spring Festival had become a national etiquette system. The history book "Were Han Shu"? "Etiquette Records" said: "On the day of beginning of spring, the night leaks less than five minutes, and all the officials in the capital are in Tsing Yi. The county officials down to the food fighting officials are all wearing green banners and standing green banners, and they are giving soil to Niu Geng people outside the door to show the people."
Emperor Hanming of the Eastern Han Dynasty followed the practice of the Western Han Dynasty. On the day of "beginning of spring", he celebrated the Spring Festival in the eastern suburbs and offered sacrifices to Ju Mang, Di Qing. It can be seen that thousands of years ago, the Spring Festival activities have diversified and formed a set of programs, which have been passed down from generation to generation. Among them, there are mainly the following:
First, the direction of Spring Festival travel rush is the east, or out of the east gate, or in the eastern suburbs. Why did you choose to spend the Spring Festival in the East? Because the bucket handle of the Big Dipper moved eastward, winter passed, spring came and everything sprouted. Therefore, this is the season to welcome the oriental spring.
Second, the deity that Yingchun worships is called "Di Qing Ju Mang", also called "Mang God". According to legend, Ju Mang was an official in charge of trees in ancient times. After death, he is the god of wooden officials, also known as the "God of the East" and the God of Si Chun.
Third, officials wear Tsing Yi and some wear green scarves, which is an ancient custom. Later, although Tsing Yi didn't have to wear a blue scarf, it was stipulated to wear court clothes and official clothes to show solemnity.
Fourth, be a "spring cow" in the Spring Festival activities. The earliest spring cattle were made of clay. Different dynasties shaped local cattle at different times.
For example, in the Sui Dynasty, on the fifth day before the spring every year, two green cows and plows were built on the east side outside the gate of the state capital.
In the Qing dynasty, every year in the sixth month of the lunar calendar, Qin was ordered to order the next year's spring cow god system, and the next day after winter, he took water to shape local cows. In fact, the so-called "Spring Cattle Mans God" system is to calculate which day is the day of beginning of spring according to the calendar, so as to determine the position of Spring Cattle Mans God.
Although the Mang God is the God of heaven and Di Qing, this Di Qing is very close to the people. Everyone thinks this is an ordinary god, very kind, and often portrays the headstrong god as a shepherd boy.
The "Cowherd" mentioned in the Book of Rites later evolved into a shepherd boy and was called the "Mang God". Being a native cow in Spring Festival activities not only means sending cold air, but also tells people that sooner or later, beginning of spring needs timely spring ploughing.
If beginning of spring looks at it in December and the shepherd boy walks in front of the cow, it means that spring ploughing was early that year; If the shepherd boy and the cow go together at the end of1February or the beginning of the first month in beginning of spring, it means that farming will not be too early or too late; If beginning of spring is in the first month, the shepherd boy will follow the cow, indicating that farming is late.
Until the Qing Dynasty, every year, the government presented a "Spring Cattle Map" to the imperial court, which indicated the position of the shepherd boy in front of and behind the cattle, reminding the imperial court to seize the opportunity to persuade farming.
Interestingly, according to records, native cattle used Sang Mu as fetal bone, which was 4 feet high, symbolizing the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. It is 8 feet long from beginning to end, symbolizing the eight solar terms of beginning of spring, vernal equinox, long summer, summer solstice, beginning of autumn, autumnal equinox, beginning of winter and winter solstice. The oxtail length 1.2 feet means one year 12 months.
After the Spring Festival, a "Whip Spring Festival" will be held. The original intention is to spur the spring cattle and work hard, but the local cattle are crushed. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, after the spring break, the clods were scattered, and onlookers scrambled to pick them up. Getting clods is like getting a lot of beef and taking it home. "His family is suitable for silkworms and also cures diseases".
Spring Festival activities should also be Spring Festival couplets, indicating that it is a celebration of spring. Spring flags are generally cut into small flags with colored paper, and some are cut into spring butterflies, spring money and spring wins, which are inserted on the head or decorated with flowers. Spring returns to the earth, revealing people's happy mood.
It is said that one year, when Su Dongpo, a great writer of the Song Dynasty, was in beginning of spring, he also wore a spring flag on his head and went to his brother's house. When his nephews saw it, they all smiled and said, "Uncle and old man are also in spring!" " "
It can also be seen that many agricultural festivals in China have entertainment activities to encourage and persuade farmers, and they can be accepted by the public in the form they like.
In the Qing Dynasty, the activities in beginning of spring on this day were richer in content and wider in scope, and the people also actively participated, forming an important festival celebration. "The qing dynasty? Ritz? Timing "and" Yanjing Year "? Da Chun recorded beginning of spring's activities in detail:
On the day before spring, officials from Shuntianfu will go to the Spring Festival Square outside Dongzhimen to welcome the Spring Festival. The so-called "spring field" is nothing more than choosing an open space in the suburbs, temporarily setting up a colored shed, and putting the throne of Chunshan and the local cattle in advance. After the officials go to the colored shed to hold the Spring Festival ceremony, they will send the memorial of Chunshan to the Ritual Department.
On the day of spring, officials from all ministries should wear royal robes to see the emperor, and students should also wear formal dresses. The students are carrying the throne of Chunshan Mountain, local cows and so on. Starting from the Ministry of Rites, led by astronomy students, from Chang 'an Zuomen, Tiananmen and Duanmen to the front of the meridian gate.
At this time, the county magistrates of Daxing and Wanping counties had already placed the throne of Chunshan on the desk in the middle outside the noon gate. When the students came in, they put the throne on the table.
When all the attendants led by the hall official of does, the magistrate of Sunchon and the magistrate of Fucheng arrived, the waiting official of Qintian announced that beginning of spring time began, and the attendants raised their desks again, led by the hall official of does, and then the hall official of does, the magistrate of Sunchon and the magistrate of Fucheng entered the Zhaode Gate from the middle door of the meridian gate and stopped at the left door. The memorial was taken from the inner prison, led by officials of the Ministry of Rites, followed by officials of the Ministry of Rites and Yin Fucheng of Shuntianfu, and arrived at Ganqingmen. At this time, all officials are not allowed to enter.
While the supervisor carried the throne into Gan Qing Palace, Shuntianfu presented a "Spring Cattle Map" to speculate on the harvest of that year. Return to Shuntianfu after the ceremony.
As for the local county government, the spring cows were put up in front of the government office the day before the spring began, and the next day, the spring cows were whipped with red and green whips or beaten with sticks. However, some people who attack spring cattle dress up as spring officials like shepherds.
Rain has two meanings. First, the weather is getting warmer and the precipitation is gradually increasing. Second, in the form of precipitation, there is less snow and more rain. Around the solar term, everything began to sprout, and spring came.
In the rainy days in ancient western Sichuan, there was a very interesting activity among the people called "pulling bags". The baby is michel platini.
In the past, people had a habit of divining their children from God to see what their children's fate was and whether they needed to find a michel platini. The purpose of looking for michel platini is to make a son or daughter grow up smoothly and healthily. So there was the activity of rain festival pulling and protecting. This move has become a long-standing custom year after year.
Rain festival pulls michel platini, which means "rain and dew moisten and grow easily". On this day, there is a special place among the people in western Sichuan, namely La michel platini. On this day, whether it is sunny or rainy, I want to take michel platini's parents with food, wine, incense and wax paper, and take the children through the crowd to find michel platini's Mr Right.
Want to let children grow up with knowledge, and pull a scholar to be michel platini; If the child is weak, pull a tall and strong person to be michel platini. Once someone is dragged to be a "michel platini", some can make money and run, while others can't escape. Most of them will readily agree, indicating that others trust themselves, so their fate will be better.
After pulling, the puller repeatedly shouted "Be a dry in-law", so he arranged the snacks and candles he brought and told the children to "hurry to worship michel platini and kowtow"; "Invite michel platini to drink and eat vegetables" and "ask in-laws to give the baby a name", and the baby will be successful. After breaking up, some people who walk around all the year round are called "perennial dry in-laws", and some people who have no contact after breaking up are called "crossing the road to dry in-laws".
Another big custom of the Rain Festival is that the son-in-law sends festivals to his parents-in-law. Holiday gifts are usually two rattan chairs wrapped with 1.2 feet long red ribbon. This is called "longevity", which means wishing parents-in-law a long life.
Another typical holiday gift is "canned meat": stew pig's trotters, snowflake beans and kelp in a casserole, then seal the jar with red paper and red rope and give it to parents-in-law. This is to express gratitude and respect to the parents-in-law who have worked so hard to raise their daughters.
If it is wedding date, the newly-married son-in-law, her parents-in-law will also give her an umbrella in return, so that she can go out for a run, which can not only provide him with shelter from the wind and rain, but also mean wishing her a smooth and safe life journey.
In western Sichuan, the Rain Festival is an imaginative and human solar term. Whether it rains or not, this day is full of poetry of rain.
Early in the morning, there are some young women on the foggy roadside, holding hands with their young sons or daughters, waiting for the first passerby.
And once someone passes by, no matter men, women and children, stop each other, hold their son or daughter on the ground, kowtow and send them to be adopted sons or daughters. This is called "bump into worship" among the people in western Sichuan, that is, whoever bumps into someone is who, and there is no predetermined goal in advance.
The purpose of "bumping into worship" is to let children grow up smoothly and healthily. Of course, the custom of "bumping into friends or classmates or colleagues" "worships" their children only in the countryside.
Going home in rainy days is another popular custom in western Sichuan. On the rainy day, the married daughter went back to visit her parents with gifts. Women who have given birth to children must bring canned meat, chairs and other gifts to thank their parents for their kindness.
For women who are not pregnant for a long time, their mother will sew a pair of red trousers for them to wear next to their bodies. It is said that this will enable them to get pregnant and have children as soon as possible. This custom is still popular in the countryside.
After beginning of spring, the weather turned warmer, the spring thunder began to ring, and all kinds of insects dormant in the soil and hibernating were awakened. At this time, the eggs in winter will also start to hatch, so it can be seen that "fright" is a solar term reflecting natural phenology. So during the panic, people all over the country had different extinction ceremonies.
Hakka people use the method of "frying insects" to achieve the utilitarian purpose of expelling insects. In fact, the "worm" is corn, which is symbolic.
In ethnic minority areas, such as the Yao nationality in Jinxiu, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, every family should eat "fried insects" when they are frightened. After the "bugs" are cooked, they are placed in the hall and the family sits around to eat. They also shouted while eating: "eat fried insects, eat fried insects!" " There will be a game in the fun place. Whoever eats fast and chews loudly will be congratulated for his contribution to eliminating pests.
In ancient times, people used incense and wormwood to smoke the four corners of their homes to drive away snakes, insects, mosquitoes, rats and mildew. Over time, it gradually evolved into a habit of driving away bad luck.
On the vernal equinox, the sun shines directly at the equator, and day and night are almost equal. Then the direct sunlight position gradually moved northward, and the days were long and the nights were short.
The vernal equinox is an important solar term, and the northern and southern hemispheres are equally divided day and night. At the same time, except the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Northeast China, Northwest China and North China, China has entered a bright spring. On the vast land, willows are green, Fei Ying grass grows, wheat jointing and rape blossoms are fragrant.
Every spring equinox, tens of millions of people all over the world are doing "vertical egg" experiments. How this thing called "China Custom" became a "world game" is still difficult to verify. However, its gameplay is really simple and interesting.
Choose a smooth and symmetrical fresh egg that has just been laid for four or five days, gently stand up and put it on the table. Although there are many losers, there are also many winners.
The vernal equinox has become the best time for vertical egg games, so there is a saying that when the vernal equinox arrives, the eggs will be beautiful. The erected eggs are so beautiful!
Why do eggs stand easily at the vernal equinox? Although there are many sayings, there are many scientific reasons. First of all, the vernal equinox is the same day in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. The inclination of the earth's axis is 66.5 degrees, which is in a relatively balanced state with the orbit plane of the earth around the sun, which is beneficial to vertical eggs.
Secondly, the vernal equinox is in the middle of spring, which is lukewarm, colorful, comfortable, quick-thinking, agile and easy to succeed in laying eggs.
More importantly, the surface of the egg is uneven and there are many protruding "hills". The "mountain" is about 0.03 mm high and the distance between peaks is between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.
According to the principle that three points form a triangle and a plane is determined, as long as three "hills" and the triangle formed by these three "hills" are found and the center of gravity of the egg passes through this triangle, then the egg can stand upright.
In addition, the reason why we choose eggs four or five days after birth is because the lecithin band of eggs is slack, the yolk sinks and the center of gravity of eggs drops, which is beneficial to the erection of eggs.
Once upon a time, there was an unbroken custom in Kaipingcang Town, Lingnan, which was called "eating spring vegetables at the vernal equinox". "Spring vegetable" is a kind of wild amaranth, which villagers call "Artemisia chun".
On the vernal equinox, the whole village went to pick spring vegetables. When searching in the wild, it is often green and thin, about the length of a palm. Picked spring vegetables are usually cooked with fish fillets at home, and the name is "Spring Soup".
There is a jingle that says, "Spring soup is dirty, but it washes the liver and intestines. The whole family is safe and healthy. " Since the spring of the year, people still pray for peace and health at home.
At the vernal equinox, there are also pictures of spring cattle delivered to your door. The picture shows two pieces of red paper or yellow paper, printed with the solar terms of the lunar calendar all the year round, and printed with the patterns of farmers ploughing the fields. The people who send pictures are folk singers with good temper, mainly talking about some spring ploughing and good luck that does not violate the farming season. Every time they go to a house, they improvise and say whatever they see until the host is happy to give money.
Although the words spoken are casual, every sentence rhymes beautifully. Commonly known as "spring", spring people are called "spring officials".
According to custom, farmers have a holiday on the vernal equinox. Every family should eat jiaozi. Cook jiaozi with a ratio of 10 or 20 or 30 without wrapping, put it on the edge of the field with thin bamboo forks and name it "Sticking Sparrows' Mouth" to prevent sparrows from damaging crops.
The vernal equinox is also a good time for children to fly kites. Especially on the vernal equinox, even adults take part. Kites include Wang Zi Kite, Silver Carp Kite, Leigong Kite and Moonlight Kite. We must compete with each other to see which one is higher.
At the vernal equinox in February, people began to pay homage to their ancestors. This day is also called "Spring Festival". Before sweeping the grave, a grand ancestor worship ceremony should be held in the ancestral hall, pigs and sheep should be slaughtered, drummers should be invited to play, and the ritual students should read the eulogy and quote three praises.
At the beginning of the spring equinox grave sweeping, the first thing is to sweep the graves of ancestors and distant ancestors. The whole family and the whole village have to be dispatched on a large scale, and the team often reaches hundreds or even thousands. After sweeping the ancestral graves, sweep the ancestral graves in each room for sacrifice, and finally sweep the private graves of their own families for sacrifice.
In most Hakka areas, ancestor worship and grave sweeping in spring begin at the vernal equinox or earlier, and must end in Tomb-Sweeping Day at the latest. There is a saying everywhere that after the Qingming Festival, the tomb door is closed, and the ancestors' spirits are not needed.
Qingming is the fifth solar term in spring, * * * has 15 days. Qingming means light and wisdom. As it is Tomb-Sweeping Day, the time is after the vernal equinox. At this time, winter has gone, spring is full, the weather is sunny, the fields are bright and clean, and the vitality of nature is everywhere.
It is an appropriate word to call this period "Qingming". "There are many rains during the Qingming period, and pedestrians on the road want to break their souls." Du Mu, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty, vividly outlined the picture of "rainy in Qingming Festival".
Grain Rain is the last solar term in spring. The arrival of solar terms in Grain Rain means that the cold wave weather is basically over, and the temperature rises rapidly, which is very beneficial to the growth of cereal crops.
After Grain Rain, the temperature rose, and pests and diseases entered a high breeding period. In order to reduce the damage of pests and diseases to crops and people, farmers put up posters of Grain Rain and prayed to drive away evil spirits.
Grain Rain is very popular among fishermen to worship the sea, and the Grain Rain season is just when the sea is warm in spring. It's a good day for hundreds of fish to go to the shallow sea. As the saying goes, "Ride Grain Rain to surf the Internet". In order to go to sea safely and go home with full load, fishermen in Grain Rain will hold a sea sacrifice on this day to pray for the blessing of Mazu, the sea god.
There was a custom of "going to Grain Rain" in ancient times. On this day, young women in Grain Rain go to visit relatives in the village or go for a walk in the wild, which means being integrated with nature and keeping fit.
There is a custom of picking tea in Grain Rain in the south. It is said that Grain Rain tea on this day can clear fire, ward off evil spirits and improve eyesight. Therefore, no matter what the weather is in Grain Rain, people will go to Chashan to pick some new tea to drink.
There is a custom of eating Toona sinensis in Grain Rain in the north. Grain Rain is the season when Toona sinensis is on the market. Toona sinensis is mellow and refreshing, with high nutritional value. After Grain Rain, the weather turned warmer, and people began to be keen on outdoor activities, such as outing, jogging and cuju.