To put it simply, the ancients corresponded each constellation in the sky to the physical geographical area on the ground. ?
There is a written record about the division of the astronomical starry sky region corresponding to the above-ground region of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, which can be found in the documents of the Han Dynasty. Geography of Hanshu: "The division of Guangdong (Yue) land, Petunia (Cowherd) and Wunu (Weaver Girl) is also divided into Cangwu, Yulin, Hepu, Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, Nanhai and Nanri." Geography of Hanshu records the geographical division of Lingnan region corresponding to the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
According to historical documents, three or four thousand years ago, with people's understanding of astronomical phenomena and the emergence of textile technology, there were records about Altair Vega. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a personalized description of the cowherd and the weaver girl: "The weaver girl should cross the river on Tanabata and make the magpie a bridge." ?
In ancient times, Tanabata was closely related to the legend of Cowherd and Weaver Girl, and it was a comprehensive festival with women as the main body. Tanabata is a symbol of love because of the beautiful legend of Cowherd and Weaver Girl. It is considered to be the most romantic traditional festival in China, and it is also known as "Valentine's Day in China" by modern people.
Origin of name
The origin of Vega's name can be traced back to the book of songs, which says, "July is full of fire, September is full of clothes." After careful consideration, we know that September is a cool late autumn, and it is also the season to wear cold clothes. If clothes are given in September, they must be cut in August, and July is of course the time for weavers to weave.
The origin of the name Altair, called Petunia, means "sacrifice". Records of the Historian Tianguanshu: "Cattle are sacrificed", which refers to cattle and sheep slaughtered at the festival. In ancient times, at the handover of summer and autumn in June, it was just the time when the vegetation was abundant and used to contribute pasture to livestock; In August, according to the physique of livestock, observe which ones are suitable for sacrifice; In September, livestock are slaughtered to worship the gods.
The Book of Rites and the Moon Order called August a "sacrificial journey". At this time, Vega just slipped to the west, while Altair rose to the zenith, just like chasing Vega. The legend of Cowherd and Weaver Maid on Tanabata should have the origin of matching the seasons and astronomical scenes.
Extended data:
brief introduction
Qixi, also known as Qiqiao Festival, Qiqiao Festival, Seventh Sister's Birthday and Seventh Mother's Birthday, is a traditional festival that originated in the Zhou Dynasty in China. According to legend, the formation of Chinese Valentine's Day is related to the folk story of Cowherd and Weaver Girl, which may be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
At that time, Tanabata was a sacrifice to Altair and Vega, which was inferred to be a love story between Cowherd and Weaver Girl. It happened in the Western Zhou Dynasty, when the social system restricted personal freedom, so it implied that the stars in the sky were in pursuit of comfort. At that time, at dusk in July, Vega rose to the highest point of the year, which was clearly visible.
Vega and two dark stars on both sides form an opening to the east, and Altair can be seen in the east. After the Han Dynasty, it began to be associated with the story of Cowherd and Weaver Girl, and officially became a festival for men and women of school age.
Festival custom
In the past, women's needlework skills were part of the productive forces. Every birthday, they offered sacrifices to Seventh Sister, praying for their ingenuity, which was called "begging for cleverness". In the meantime, a colorful building will be decorated, and a seven-hole needle made of brass will be prepared, and a five-color fine thread will be used to thread the needle against the moon, which is a clever trick. Tanabata gradually became "Daughter's Day".
The ancients could beg for luck in the first month, August and September, and it was not until after the Song Dynasty that they begged for luck on Tanabata. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the Qixi Qiqiao Festival became very grand, and there was a market specializing in selling Qiqiao ornaments, called Qiqiao City.
The custom of begging for cleverness later evolved into wishing, which was not limited to women begging for skillful hands and marriage. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is also Lord Kuixing's Christmas, and men seeking fame will worship Kuixing. In some areas, such as Japan, it becomes a day to pray for all wishes.
Sacrifices for Tanabata in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan include paper plates for seven sisters and paper clothes for the Queen Mother (upper left), Cowherd (lower left), Seven sisters and their six sisters.
In the past, women's needlework skills were part of the productive forces. Every birthday, they offered sacrifices to Seventh Sister, praying for their ingenuity, which was called "begging for cleverness". In the meantime, a colorful building will be tied, and a seven-hole needle made of brass will be prepared, and the needle will be pierced against the wind with five-color fine lines, which will last for a long time. Tanabata gradually became "Daughter's Day".
The ancients could beg for luck in the first month, August and September, and it was not until after the Song Dynasty that they begged for luck on Tanabata. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the Qixi Qiqiao Festival became very grand, and there was a market specializing in selling Qiqiao ornaments, called Qiqiao City.
Mainly women worship the Seventh Sister, making various foods and traditional needlework such as embroidery, and also making other traditional handicrafts such as Chinese knots and paper-cuts, as well as offering sacrifices to worship the Seventh Sister. In the big cities of Chinese mainland and Taiwan Province, Chinese Valentine's Day is regarded as a great opportunity for business promotion by merchants, while traditional customs are lost.
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia-Chinese Valentine's Day