River lanterns are also called "lotus lanterns". Generally, lights or candles are placed on the base, and they are placed in rivers, lakes and seas during the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing them to float. The function of river lanterns is to drown ghosts and other ghosts in Purdue water. Setting off river lanterns, especially in the Yellow River, is very spectacular. Hequ County in the northwest of Shanxi Province is near the Yellow River. The river is wide and the water is mild. On the evening of July 15, the whole city gathered in the square in front of the stage on the bank of the Yellow River to watch the river lanterns. Colored lights drift with the water, and children always pay attention to how far their lights can drift. The old woman kept mumbling and praying. Today's river lantern has become a joyful activity. According to the etiquette of Buddhist bonsai, the river lantern is just one of the small programs, which doesn't seem so important. In the folk activities of Mid-Autumn Festival, it is more important to put on lights.

Mid-Autumn Festival custom: ancestor worship

The festival of ancestor worship is on the fifteenth day of July in the lunar calendar, so it is called "July and a half" for short. At that time, the midsummer was over and the autumn coolness had just begun. Folk believe that ancestors will return home to visit their children and grandchildren at this time, so they need to worship their ancestors. Worship ceremonies are usually held in the evening before the end of July, and are not limited to a specific day. You should worship your ancestors on normal days, and generally don't move their tablets. At the time of ancestor worship in July and a half, the ancestral tablets should be invited out one by one, respectfully placed on the dedicated altar, and then incense should be burned in front of each ancestor's tablet three times a day until July 30. If there is a portrait of your ancestors, please come out and hang it. When worshipping, kowtow to each ancestor in the order of seniority and seniority, pray silently, report to the ancestors and ask others to check their words and deeds this year first, so as to protect their peace and happiness.

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Mid-Autumn Festival custom: sacrificing land and crops

On July 15, offering sacrifices to land and crops is still a folk custom. Scatter sacrifices in the fields. After burning the paper, wrap it on the ears of crops with cut five-color paper. Legend has it that autumn can avoid hail and get a bumper harvest. At the same time, some places have to go to Houtu Temple to offer sacrifices. Hemp and valley are hung at the gate of Dingxiang county folk custom.

Mid-Autumn Festival custom: dough sculpture

Before July 15th, dough sculpture activities were very popular among folk women, especially in northern Shanxi. A steamed stuffed bun shop, neighbors came to help. First of all, according to the actual number of families (including married daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, other sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, etc. ), give everyone a big bag first. The steamed stuffed bun for the younger generation should be kneaded into a flat shape, which is called a noodle sheep. I hope that the younger generation will not forget the kindness of their parents. The steamed stuffed bun for the older generation should be made into the shape of a noodle, which means that children and grandchildren are full of happiness and longevity; Steamed buns for peers should be shaped like fish, called noodle fish, which means more than one year. It's not so strict now. It's entirely based on the owner. There are buns of various shapes, including sheep, tigers, cows, fish, rabbits and people. After each animal's steamed bread is kneaded, there will be many steamed bread in the shape of melon, fruit, peach, plum, lotus, chrysanthemum and plum, which are decorated with flowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies and squirrels. Smaller than before, as a gift for visiting relatives and friends. These dough sculptures look lifelike after being steamed and colored in five colors, and each piece is an excellent handicraft. Watching dough figurines on July 15 has become a program for peasant women to show off their dexterity.