Zhong Jingwen, a researcher of gourd culture, chairman of China Folklore Society and professor of Beijing Normal University, believes that gourd culture is a meaningful part of China folk culture. Many ethnic groups in China have the myth that the gourd originated from their ancestors. According to documents, there was a belief in ancient China that the gourd was a symbol of many children and many blessings. Later, with the rise of Taoism, gourd was incorporated into its religious system, adding a very rich cultural connotation. The introduction and spread of Buddhism also added new flowers and leaves to the gourd. Now in folk stories, gourd has become a kind of "spiritual thing". For example, the widely circulated "Treasure Gourd" story tells that the owner of the story has a treasure gourd and can have whatever he wants. This shows that the poor people yearned for a better life in the past, and the means to satisfy their desires was to get gourds. Therefore, gourd is a kind of fruit with rich connotation in China culture. It is a kind of humanistic fruit, not just a kind of natural fruit!
More folklore researchers believe that due to the important position of gourd in China's ancient life, there has always been a belief and worship of gourd, which can be recorded not only in ancient books, but also from many existing folk customs.
Zhao Shen, an associate professor at Shandong University, put forward eight auspicious meanings represented by gourd:
First of all, Ji Li and Ji Shi are auspicious things.
Marriage is the beginning of a couple. Cut a gourd into a pair of scoops and connect them with thread for drinking and getting married. In ancient times, it was called "marriage", which symbolized that the newlyweds were connected as one. Taking natural objects as auspicious objects, that is, mascots, is the experience and creation of early residents. Gourd acquired the attribute of "culture" and began to become a cultural carrier and cultural phenomenon.
Second, Five Blessingg and Bao Hulu.
Around the growth, performance and practicality of gourd, the ancients constantly added gradually developed perception, hope and fantasy to it. Like what?
1 Strong adaptability, good growth, full fruit, making the family prosperous and happy.
2 both as food and as vessels; As a container, it can not only hold and contain solids and liquids, but also facilitate various purposes, carrying and storage. In addition to following the ancient tradition, it symbolizes the innate quality and being valued and reused, and it also means smooth, rich and wishful.
3 save water, aid, represent peace and save lives; Can be used as medicine, medicine, firearms, weapons, representing medicine, health, longevity, and even can drive away disasters. That's enough "Five Blessingg", isn't it listed in Shangshu Hongfan? One is longevity, the other is wealth, the third is Kangning, the fourth is Xiu De, and the fifth is death? Or do you usually refer to it? Happiness, wealth, longevity, happiness, wealth. Moreover, according to the legends of Hulu Jujube and Gong Hu, being kind to Taoist priests can be brought by Hulu to make a fortune or registered in a "fairyland in a pot", which is the supreme bliss in Taoist imagination? Carefree, immortal. Because of the legend of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, the gourd is called the "treasure gourd", which includes "everything", "magic" and "infinite magic". Because the original shape and performance of the gourd, such as being closed and surrounded, have induced human imagination and mystery.
Third, the homonym of "Fu, Lu, Wan, Sheng and Sheng".
Fu, Lu and Yin are homophonic, represented by gourd, and their descendants are represented by gourd vines with lush foliage and fruitful generations. Sheng represents life and rise. There are more than 50 names and writing methods of gourd in Chinese characters? It is also an important part of gourd culture. In the most basic way? Pot, gourd, clock? Lu, Lu, er, gourd can be directly analyzed into big melon, big ball, big bag or big bubble, and gourd? Comparing dialects, considering that the pronunciations of early residents are single or different, are they similar to each other? Combining phonology is like imitating the onomatopoeic words of gourd under the action of objects and fluids, namely Lulu, Snoring, Floating Lulu, Poop-Poop ... Hulu represents happiness, Lu represents Lu, Man represents Wan, Sheng represents life, and Sheng represents life because of its sound like a spring. Hulusheng has become an auspicious instrument for many nationalities.
Fourth, the language of marriage and wedding is especially auspicious.
Marriage is synonymous with marriage. If you are lucky, special congratulations. First of all, it originated from the previous generation records such as "Hunyi". Secondly, drinking in marriage takes gourd as the specific word-how to interpret it from regular script? The first half is inheritance, continuity, harmony, complementarity and help; The second half is seal script, that is, bamboo. Now it is a festival, which means chastity, moral integrity and integrity. As "Hunyi" said? "The wedding, the names of the two together, in the ancestral temple, and the next generation, too? Therefore, gentlemen are the most important. " A couple each have a drink, tie a half ladle with a red rope, and then tie the two halves into a whole with a red rope. This is the most important ceremony at the wedding. The meaning is self-evident.
Five, gourd-shaped varieties outside the auspicious map.
Lucky map? Or patterns are the accumulation and important part of auspicious culture and history in China, which provide reference for the conception and design of different materials, different crafts and different needs, such as architecture, decoration, sculpture, painting, embroidery and paper-cutting. Gourd, flowers, fruits, leaves, vines, or prominent fruits are either dominant or auxiliary in the relevant figures. The monkey on the gourd means that the family will be sealed for generations, and the gourd King Kong and the gourd brothers and sisters are the embodiment of justice and supernatural power. Many maps of Hulu show the position of Hulu in the auspicious culture of China and its stable position as a mascot in the past and present.
Sixth, the gourd homophonic "Fulu".
Because it is a herb, its branches and leaves are called "vines". "Man" is homophonic with "Wan", and "Man Band" is homophonic with "Wan Band". "Fulu" and "Bandai" are complete, so they are auspicious symbols. Gourd and its stems and leaves are called "descendants of ten thousand generations", which means that the family is prosperous.
Seven, sending melons to beg children is a major event in China's folk activities. Is it recorded in the article "Clear Money Superstition Eating Melons for Children"? "On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Huizhou has the custom of sending melons. Anyone who marries a woman and has been infertile for several years will be sent to relatives and friends. "
Eight, Taoist temple, Buddhist temple also take gourd Baoding as the treasure of the town temple. Compared with other countries and nations in the world? The Chinese nation is a nation with a special way of thinking, and symbolism is an important feature and symbol of this special way of thinking. Is the "vine" of the gourd homophonic? There are many kinds of seeds in every ripe gourd? Han people associate it with "prosperity and good fortune for generations to come"; Hulu homophones "protect Lu" and "bless Lu"? Plus its own different shape? Beautiful appearance? Without artificial carving, it will give people a happy and peaceful aesthetic feeling? The ancients thought it could ward off evil spirits? Pray for happiness? Let future generations prosper? Therefore, for thousands of years, gourd, as a mascot and ornamental, has been loved and treasured by people. Some people hang the gourd under the roof beam and call it the "roof". It is said that with this measure, the home is relatively safe and smooth; More educated people tie five gourds with red ropes, which is called "Five Blessingg". In rural areas of Taiwan Province Province, there is a proverb: "Only one vinegar in the field can make you rich", which means that putting a gourd at home can make you rich and rich.
Lahu people, a southwest ethnic minority, nail gourd seeds on their children's collars to protect their children's safe growth; Girls and young women like to put rust gourd patterns on necklines, cuffs and skirts to show good luck; Is the gourd flower white and flawless? It symbolizes the purity and infatuation of love. Young men of some ethnic groups often carve gourd patterns on Sanxian and gift boxes for girls, symbolizing that love is as white and pure as gourd flowers. Is the waist gourd composed of two spheres in appearance? A symbol of harmony and happiness? It means that husband and wife respect and love each other, so put one at the bedside? Always maintain family harmony and realize good wishes.
Folklore researchers believe that auspicious gourds satisfy human yearning for a better life. Chinese gourd culture is a branch of auspicious culture in China, and it is the wealth of all mankind.