Introduction: The Dragon Boat Festival is one of my country's traditional festivals. The festival has many origins. Some commemorate Qu Yuan, some commemorate Wu Zixu, and some say it originated from the ancient Yue national totem festival. But the most anticipated ones are the customary activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. Among them, there is a custom of putting out river lanterns on the Dragon Boat Festival. Do you know why we put out river lanterns on the Dragon Boat Festival? What is the meaning of putting up river lanterns during the Dragon Boat Festival? Come with me to find out.
Setting off river lanterns during the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional custom of the Chinese nation, used to commemorate deceased relatives and bless the living. When putting out river lanterns, people will place pasted river lanterns of various shapes and colors on the river. If it is at night, then the originally dark river suddenly lights up with floating lights. The lights move with the flowing water on the river, and the layers are staggered, which will make people feel beautiful and spectacular.
River lanterns, also known as "lotus lanterns", are usually made in the shape of lotus petals. The lanterns are lit with candles and placed in rivers, lakes and seas, allowing them to drift. Today's river lanterns are not complicated to make. They are usually made of wax paper of various colors, and the four corners of a square piece of wax paper are glued together. Lamp wicks are generally made of hemp rope, because such wicks have a long burning time and are highly wind-resistant. Before placing the river lantern, immerse the bottom of the river lantern in candle oil, and then place it on the sand before the wax oil solidifies, so that some sand sticks to the bottom of the river lantern, which increases the weight of the river lantern and makes it less likely to be Blow over.
When did river lanterns first originate?
Primitive society was limited by its limited understanding of nature. For a long time, Chinese ancestors believed that fire was The source of all things, it has become a totem for worship, a symbol of auspiciousness and warmth, and a god who defeats cold and hunger. During the fishing and hunting era, people used boats to go out to the sea and lakes to avoid the raging storms. When crossing dangerous reefs and dangerous shoals or when the waves were high, they would use wooden boards to weave bamboo boats into small boats, place offerings, light candles, use colored paper as sails and lanterns, and let them drift in the water. Pray to the sea god for peace. This custom is still popular among fishermen in Taiwan, Fujian and Guangdong, and is called colorful boat lanterns. In the slave society of the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century BC, King Wu assisted King Wu in establishing the city of Luoyi and held a banquet in Qushui to celebrate. "The flowing water overflowed with wine," and "the wine glasses flowed with the waves." The night continued day and night, and lamps were lit on the cups. The wine flowing from the wine cup to the wine cup evolves into waves. The Book of Songs of the Spring and Autumn Period records the folk custom of holding candles on the two rivers of Qin and Wei to revive souls, and holding orchids to ward off evil. The slave society was a society that invaded neighboring countries and had constant wars. When ships were used to attack cities and destroy strongholds with fire, it was a common practice to bury the fallen soldiers in water and put flowers and lanterns on the ships and rafts. On the 15th day of August in the Zhou Dynasty, there was an activity of singing and dancing around the bonfire to welcome the cold, "raising the lantern and toad's soul". In the Jin Dynasty, on the night when the moon is the fullest and brightest every year, people "play with the moon to their heart's content, spend the night with candles" and "play with the moon on boats". These activities are earlier than Taoism that appeared in the Han Dynasty and Buddhism that was introduced to our country during the Han and Jin Dynasties.
Other customs of the Dragon Boat Festival
1. Eating rice dumplings
Zongzi were originally used for sacrifice, in order to prevent the fish in the river from eating Qu Yuan of Chu State The doctor's body, so he threw the rice dumplings into the water, and later gradually became a traditional food during the Dragon Boat Festival.
2. Dragon boat racing
Dragon boat racing is now not only a folk custom activity, but also a formal sports competition. It is very popular in many ethnic minority areas and the Yangtze River Basin.
3. Order realgar wine
Soak the realgar in the wine, and then apply the realgar wine on the person’s forehead, ears, nose, palms, etc. Stay away from poisonous insects, eliminate disasters and prevent diseases.
4. Wearing sachets
When the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, give children a sachet or purse to ward off evil spirits and stay away from the plague. It is also a good decoration. Ornaments.
5. Hanging mugwort
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people like to hang mugwort on both sides of the door, which means to eliminate diseases, drive away bad luck, attract good fortune, and keep the family healthy and healthy. Good luck.
6. Tie colorful ropes.
In ancient times, five colors were considered auspicious colors, so during the Dragon Boat Festival, colorful ropes were tied around children's wrists, ankles or necks, which symbolized avoiding disasters, staying away from diseases, and living a safe and long life.