People often compare "knife mountain and sea of fire" to a very dangerous place, and regard those who dare to go up the knife mountain and go down the sea of fire as warriors. However, in daily life, it is rare to see "going up the knife mountain and going down the fire", but at the Lisu people's annual knife and pole festival, we can directly hit the thrilling live performance of "going down the fire and going up the knife mountain". Knife and pole festival is held on February 7-8 of the lunar calendar. On the first night, the ceremony of "going to the fire" was held, and on the second day, the ceremony of "going to the knife mountain" was held during the day. Before "going to the fire", the charming warriors first offered sacrifices to the gods. Among the gods worshipped is a "white horse general", and it is said that he is General Wang Ji, the minister of war of the Ming Dynasty. Wang Jisan was victimized by treacherous court officials after his expedition to Sichuan, and the Lisu people's sword and pole festival is to commemorate General Wang. After offering sacrifices to the gods, everyone moved the prepared chestnut firewood to the knife pole field, piled it into a firewood pile with a length of two, a width of one and a height of one, and then lit the firewood pile, and the blazing fire grew stronger and stronger. At this time, led by the leader of the warriors (the leader of the song and dance activities), a row of men dressed in blue holiday costumes sang a blessing song and danced with neat steps while singing. When the firewood burned into a red charcoal fire (known as the "sea of fire"), a warrior exploded a long string of firecrackers, and several warriors dressed in red filed out. They tied colored paper on their heads and waists, waved two small red flags in their hands, ran around the fire pond several times, and began to "go into the fire." The barefoot of the warrior directly stepped on the red hot coals, and the sparks splashed; Then wash your face with your hands holding the coals of fire, which is really a veritable "baptism of fire"; Finally, throw a thick chain into the fire, burn it half red, and then turn it around with your hands, showing a brave spirit of ignoring all kinds of constraints in the world. The fire flushed their faces and whole bodies, just like the lower bound of the mighty Vulcan. In the activities of "jumping into the sea of fire", others have to constantly scatter Ai Xiang, which has the effect of exorcising evil spirits, into the fire pit, and sparks splash, which is very spectacular. The last ceremony of the evening was: according to the number of knives to be mounted in that year (36 or 72 knives), the lighted incense sticks were arranged in the shape of knives, and the warriors stepped on them one by one. It is said that if that person can't get past the incense stick, he will have to be disqualified from the knife handle. The baptized warriors can't go home, and everyone dances around the fireplace all night. "Going up the knife mountain" is also called "going up the knife bar". The first is to erect the arbor. The length of the arbor is determined according to the number of handles of "thirty-six years old, seventy-two years old". Generally, the sharp long knives that are upside down are tied to the arbor with chestnut wood poles of nearly 30 meters and three golden bamboo strips. There are three levels and three castles under the arbor. All kinds of yellow, white, red, green and blue paper flowers and magic flags are tied on the whole arbor. The erected arbor is like a straight "ladder", standing on the arbor field. Followed by a ceremony for offering a knife to the gods. It is carried out under the erect arbor, generally for one pig and nine chickens. One pig and one chicken are provided at the foot of the arbor, and one chicken is provided at each of the four sides and four piles. The priest (the master who mounted the knife pole, called "Nipa" in Lisu) is the main sacrifice, and the sacrifice language can be chanting, singing or dancing. The main content is: "Fire has Vulcan, and knives have Knife God. Sacrifice knives to seek gods to ensure safe survival." Getting on the arbor is the climax and the most wonderful moment of the festival. The warrior in colorful clothes buckled the blade with both hands, then stepped barefoot on the knife ladder and climbed up step by step. They are fearless, smart and relaxed, showing the majestic posture of iron-footed tough guys. The first warrior who climbed first set off firecrackers at the top of the pole to celebrate his victory, and read four auspicious words: "The grain is abundant, there is no disease and no disaster, the six animals are prosperous, and the country is peaceful and the people are safe." Some warriors also perform various difficult movements such as handstands at the end of the arbor. In order to congratulate the success of the warriors, people "jump" around the knife pole, wishing the warriors victory, celebrating the happy holidays and wishing people health and happiness. The upper arbor vividly shows the spirit of the Lisu people's perseverance, courage to climb and pursuit of Excellence.