Fu Tou is one of the traditional festivals in China, and it is called Fu Tou from the first to the ninth day of the seventh lunar month every year. Fu Tou is the first solar term in summer, when the temperature is the highest, people need to pay attention to heatstroke prevention and cooling. Fu Tou has rich customs and origins. Let's take a look together.

The origin of Fu Tou

Fu Tou originated from the "dog days" in ancient China, which refers to the three ten days in summer, namely the first, middle and last days. The solar terms are the hottest in rainy days, so people should pay attention to heatstroke prevention and cooling. The origin of dog days can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. People hold sacrificial activities in dog days to pray for a bumper harvest and peace. Later, as the tenth day of Dog Day, Fu Tou gradually formed and became an independent festival.

The custom of bowing down

Fu Tou has rich customs. Let's have a look.

Eat "face down"

During the collapse period, people will eat "collapse noodles", which is a kind of food made of flour. Eating "face down" means praying for peace, health and good luck.

steamed jiaozi /dumpling (with meat and vegetable stuffing)

The Fu Tou period is also a good time for steaming fragrant jiaozi. Steamed zongzi is a kind of food made of glutinous rice and various fillings, which has rich taste and nutritional value.

offer sacrifices to ancestors

During the period of prostration, people will worship their ancestors and pray for peace and health. Sacrificial activities are generally held in families, and some places will be held in temples or ancestral halls.

Clean the house

During the period of prostration, people will clean the family and sweep away the accumulated dust and garbage to pray for the safety and cleanliness of the family.

Date of exhaustion

The first phase of 202 1 starts from July 14 and ends on July 22nd.