The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month of the lunar calendar every year is the Zhongyuan Festival, commonly known as Shigu, , 1, and 2, which is called Ullambana Festival in Buddhism. It is the traditional Chinese ancestor worship festival, as well as the three festivals of New Year's Eve, Qingming Festival and Double Ninth Festival, and is also a traditional cultural festival that is popular in the Chinese character cultural circle. During the Zhongyuan Festival, there is a custom of laying river lanterns and burning paper ingots.
Shangyuan Festival, Zhongyuan Festival and Xiayuan Festival are collectively called "Three Yuans", which are traditional Chinese festivals. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, it is called Shangyuan Festival, which celebrates the Lantern Festival, which has been around since ancient times; on the fifteenth day of the seventh day of the seventh day, it is called Zhongyuan Festival, which worships ancestors; on the fifteenth day of the tenth day of the tenth month, it is called Xiayuan Festival, which is called Xiayuan Festival, which is called cold food to commemorate the wise. July 15th is the first full moon night after autumn. At this time, the heat of summer has just faded, and the golden wind is diving in, and the night is as cool as water.
Historical origin
Zhongyuan Festival can be said to be a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism and the secular world. Its origin can be traced back to ancient time sacrifices and related ancestral worship. In ancient times, due to limited production capacity and awareness, people often rely on the blessing of gods for the harvest of farming. The worship of ancestors is found in spring, summer, autumn and winter, but "autumn taste" is very important. Autumn is the season of harvest. People hold rituals to sacrifice to the souls of their ancestors, first enjoy the good seasonal goods, then taste the fruits of these labors themselves, and pray for a good harvest in the coming year.
According to historical records, the activity of worshiping ancestors in autumn was already in the pre-Qin period. It was first the affairs of the emperor and princes, and then it influenced the people from top to bottom. At first, the date of "Autumn Taste" was not determined, but later it gradually fixed around July 15th, usually the first full moon after the beginning of autumn, and the new yin of autumn came.
And "July 3" is called "Zhongyuan Festival", which originates from the religious beliefs of the Chinese people. Among the Taoist gods, there are Tianguan , Earthguan , and water officials, collectively known as the "Three Officials Emperors". They are representatives of the Heavenly Emperor stationed in the world: the Heavenly Officials are blessed by the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Earthly Officials are forgiven for the fifteenth day of the seventh day of the seventh day of the middle of the sins, and the Water Officials are 15th day of the tenth day of the tenth month of the second lunar month to resolve the disaster.
local customs
ancestor worship
ancestor worship festival on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, so it is simply called "July 2" ancestor worship. People believe that ancestors will also return home to visit their descendants at this time, so they need to worship their ancestors. The worship ceremony is usually held in the evening before the end of July and is not limited to a specific day.
Put the river lights
The river lights are also called "lotus lanterns". The river lights are usually placed on the base or candles. They are placed in the rivers, lakes and seas at night, allowing them to float. The purpose of putting river lanterns is to ferry and pray. The river lanterns are particularly spectacular when it comes to the Yellow River.
dough sculpture
Before July 15th, folk women were prevalent in dough sculpture activities, and the northern Shanxi region was the most intense. A steamed flower bun , and the neighbors came to help. First, based on the actual number of people in the family, make a big flower bun for each person first. The flower buns given to the younger generation should be pinched into a flat shape, called dough sheep , which means that the lamb should kneel down on his knees, hoping that the younger generation will not forget the kindness of his parents for raising them; the flower buns given to the older generation should be pinched into a human shape, called dough man, meaning that children and grandchildren are full of blessings and longevity; the flower buns given to the older generation should be pinched into a fish shape, called dough fish, meaning that there is more than a year.
eat duck
eat duck
On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, many places across the country choose to eat duck. Why? It turns out that "duck" means "press", which is homophonic. Eating ducks is to suppress "soul". Dongguan people usually eat lotus root and cook duck. In some parts of Jiangsu Province, many people also eat flat food (a food that uses flour and sugar to form dustpan-shaped food) on the Zhongyuan Festival. On the rooftop of , Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, the Zhongyuan Festival eats "dumpling cakes", a food similar to spring rolls.
Make egg cake
People believe that egg cake can become dry food for deceased ancestors. Every day on the Zhongyuan Festival, every household in Nanjing makes eggplant cakes, that is, cut fresh eggplant into shreds, top with flour, and fry them in oil. In fact, eggplant cakes are now a very ordinary home-cooked dish. If you want to eat them, you can make a plate to satisfy your cravings at any time.
Pray for a good harvest
Zhongyuan Festival sacrifice is often associated with the hope of a good harvest.On the night of the lonely, every household would burn incense at their doorstep to pray for a bumper harvest of rice, and plant the incense branches on the ground. This is called "cloth fields" (planting rice). The more you plant, the better, which symbolizes the harvest of rice in autumn.
Sacrificial land and crops
On July 15th, sacrificial land and crops are also popular among the people. Spread the offerings into the fields. After burning the paper, use five-color paper cut into pieces and wrap it around the ears of the crop. Legend has it that it can avoid hail attacks and achieve a good harvest in autumn. Some places also need to go to Houtu Temple for sacrifices.
The Zhongyuan
The Zhongyuan Night in the ancient poem
Tang丨Li Ying
The Yuan night in the Jiangnan Water Temple, Yue E is seen by the golden millet fence.
The red candle shadow returns to the fairy state, and the green ring light shows many people.
The fragrance floats in the colorful palace condenses orchids and muskies, and the dew surrounds the blue clothes and silk.
The night sky of Xiangshui is far away, and I don’t know what I want to go back.
Middle Yuan night watch the moon
Tang丨Luo Yin
Hazy South Sea moon, surging clouds.
shot whale eyes and separated the hair of jade rabbit from afar.
The momentum comes and the bull fights, the road goes up and the night is high.
In the evening, I looked at the light and shadow, and raised my head and held the white wine.
Zhongyuan is
Tang丨 Li Shangyin
Jiang Festival floats in the palace, and Zhongyuan worships Shangqing.
Sheep rights must be taken off, and Wen Qiao finally empty Jade mirror platform .
I once saved my sleep and heard of the rain, but I didn’t know that getting lost was the flowers blooming.
There is no place to reach Yingzhou, how can the green bird poison bird media.
Zhongyuan Ye Taoist Friend
Tang丨Lu Guimeng
Learn bait frost and bones are not light, and every time I dream of the real night is returned.
Ding Ning was solely invited by the Concubine Jin, and he personally wrote the name of jade seal script.
The moon is bitter and the water pendant is in the water, and the wind is slightly blowing and the clouds are tied to the tassels.
In a moment, the pillow is on the tung window, and the dew presses down on the sound of thousands of branches.
Zhongyuan Ye Baihuazhou
Song丨 Fan Zhongyan
Nanyang Prefect Qing was crazy and enjoyed the moon before Mid-Autumn Festival.
Forget home in the Baihuazhou at night, the green sycamore is silent and smooth.
days to learn to spit out pearls in the blue sea, and the cold light shoots the precious stars and sparse stars.
Looking downstairs to see the world in the world, Yingran is in the pure jade pot.
The heat has never been avoided, and it is not God's will tonight.
One flute blows the clouds of thousands of miles, and the host sings and the guest is drunk.
The guest got drunk and danced to sing to me, and he didn't sing or danced like old people.
