The Xiayuan Festival originated from Taoist culture.
Xiayuan Festival, also known as Xiayuan Day and October Half, is one of my country’s traditional festivals. Xiayuan Festival falls on October 15th of the lunar calendar every year and is the last festival of the Three Yuan Festival. . The Sanyuan Festival includes Shangyuan Festival, Zhongyuan Festival and Xiayuan Festival, which correspond to the 15th day of the first lunar month, the 15th day of July and the 15th day of October respectively.
The origin of Xiayuan Festival is closely related to Taoist beliefs. Taoism believes that the three organs of heaven, earth, and water govern the three levels of the universe respectively. The Shangyuan Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month) is the Christmas Day of the Heavenly Officials, the Zhongyuan Festival (the 15th day of the seventh lunar month) is the Christmas Day of the Earthly Officials, and the Xiayuan Festival (the 15th October day) is the Christmas Day of the Shuiguan Officials. Shuiguan, also known as the Third Grade Emperor of Xiayuan, is a Taoist deity who manages water conservancy and blesses peace.
During the Xiayuan Festival, Taoists will hold a series of celebration activities, including praying, fasting, offering sacrifices, etc. Folk believers will also set up a table at home to burn incense, worship the third-grade emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and pray to the water official to bless their families with peace and good weather. In addition, Xiayuan Festival is also a day for worshiping ancestors. People will prepare sumptuous sacrifices to worship their ancestors and express their respect and gratitude to their ancestors.
As time goes by, the customs of Xiayuan Festival gradually become rich and diverse. In some areas, river lanterns will be released on this day, which means to illuminate the path of the deceased and guide them to reincarnation smoothly. In some areas, temple fairs, performances and other activities are held to enrich people's cultural life.
Characteristics of Xiayuan Festival:
1. Relationship with Taoism: The origin of Xiayuan Festival is related to Taoism. There are three officials in Taoism, the Heavenly Official, the Earth Official, and the Water Official. It is said that the Heavenly Official bestows blessings, the Earth Official forgives sins, and the Shuiguan relieves misfortune. The Xiayuan Festival is the day when Shuiguan resolves the disaster and Yanggu Emperor resolves the disaster.
2. Relationship with Emperor Shuiguan: Xiayuan Festival is the birthday of Emperor Shuiguan Yu. People will prepare incense and candle offerings to worship Emperor Shuiguan in order to seek peace, so it is also called the disaster relief day. Yuanshui Official Festival.
3. Sacrificial activities: During the Xiayuan Festival, Taoist temples serve as dojos, while the people offer sacrifices to the souls of the dead and pray to the Xiayuan Shuiguan to solve their problems.
4. Pray for good luck and good fortune: During the Xiayuan Festival in ancient times, the imperial court also stipulated that on this day, the government would ban slaughter and postpone the execution date of the death penalty. Later, the Xiayuan Festival gradually evolved into a traditional sacrificial festival in which people prepare rich dishes, enjoy sacrifices to the souls of their ancestors, and pray for good fortune and good luck.