Tanabata, also known as Qiqiao Festival and Qiqiao Festival, is China's traditional Valentine's day. On this day, young men and women give gifts to each other to express their love, but the customs of Tanabata Festival are very different everywhere! Then the following sihai.com Xiaobian will bring you some traditions of Tanabata Festival! Let's have a look
1. Threading
This is the earliest way to beg for dexterity. Most of them are the skills of girls to thread needles. They make some small items to compete, and then put some fruits and melons to beg for dexterity. However, the ways of begging for dexterity are different and interesting. Some customs are that seven good girls get together to make dumplings, wrap a copper coin, a needle and a red date in the dumplings respectively, and eat them together after the Qiqiao activity. It is said that the dexterity of eating needles, the early marriage of late dates and the late money are blessed.
2. Happy spider should be skillful
It means that some melon and fruit foods, such as cantaloupe, golden melon, peanuts, red dates, etc., are placed on the fruit plate. Then, people will open their eyes and look at the fruit plate. If there is a Camptotheca in the fruit plate, whoever finds it first will be lucky. Camptotheca, in fact, is a small spider with a big grain of rice. Occasionally, it always appears on people or in houses. It is said to be a sign of happiness.
3. Seed survival
In other words, before Tanabata, soak some wheat, mung beans, small beans, peas and other plants in water and wait for a few inches after sprouting. When the Chinese New Year's Eve comes, tie it up with a red and blue harness, symbolizing a good omen of having a son and happiness.
4. Worship Zhinv
Weaver Girl means a girl, a young woman. Generally, several people make an appointment to jointly hold the worship. It is said that girls and young women fasted one day before the worship. After bathing, they went to the host's home on time. Under the moonlight, they gathered around the table, eating melon seeds and peanuts, and meditating on their thoughts towards the Vega constellation. The girl hopes to marry her husband as soon as possible, and the young woman prays for an early birth.
5. Needle feeding test
The general meaning is to prepare the washbasin, pour mandarin duck water into it, and then put it in the patio. The so-called mandarin duck water is a mixture of water during the day and water at night. However, you can also mix the river water and well water together. The basin and water should spend the night in the open air, and then let the sun shine on July 7. You can test the coincidence at noon or in the afternoon. It also symbolizes Deqiao.
6. Celebrate Niu's birthday
It is said that Tanabata is the birthday of cattle. On Tanabata, children will pick wild flowers and hang them on the horns of cattle, which is the so-called birthday of cattle. This probably means that the marriage between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl benefits from the help of the old yellow cattle. What's more, the cattle have made great contributions to agriculture. On Tanabata, people should treat the farm cattle with wine and food to show their respect.
7. Eat clever fruit
Qiaoguo and huagua are the most common Tanabata food. Also known as Qiqiao fruit, it has various styles. The main materials are oil, flour, sugar and honey. A skillful woman will also pinch out all kinds of fruits related to Tanabata. It is said that after eating Qiaoguo on Tanabata, cowherd and weaver girl can meet at magpie bridge.