Most Chinese people know the custom of "February 2, dragon head". The ancients called the second day of the second lunar month spring Dragon Festival, also known as dragon head festival or Qinglong Festival. In our country, people always have the custom of cutting their hair on February 2. Do you know why? Why is February 2 also known as dragon head up? What's the point?
Around the second day of February in the lunar calendar is one of the 24 solar terms. After the hibernation of the dragon, to this day, was awakened by the rumbling spring thunder, then looked up. So the ancients called the second day of the second lunar month spring Dragon Festival, also known as dragon head festival or Qinglong Festival. On this day, people will go to the riverside to sacrifice the Dragon God.
In 2016, the year of monkey met the rise of dragon is a year of many things for friends who are monkeys, tigers, snakes and pigs. Therefore, all the friends of the zodiac are against Taisui. Of course, other friends of the zodiac also need to carry out the annual "February 2, dragon head" prosperity method to the end.
The dragon is the totem that the Chinese nation has believed in since ancient times. The descendants of the Chinese people are the descendants of the dragon. For thousands of years, people regard dragon as a mascot with mysterious color. "February 2" is the day when the Dragon rises, and it naturally becomes an important folk festival. Many customs are also related to the dragon.
Why is February 2 called dragon head up?
There is a saying among the people that "on February 2, the dragon looks up". Why did the dragon rise its head on February 2? Folklorists explained this.
According to the professor of Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, this kind of folk custom is related to festivals. Around the first day of February, it was "Jingzhe". Many animals, such as frogs, snakes and earthworms, go into hibernation in winter, which is called "hibernation". Around February of the lunar new year, when the weather gets warmer, some insects gradually end their hibernation and begin to come out for activities. It seems that they are awakened from their sleep by the bright spring sun or the loud spring thunder. Therefore, this festival is called "Jingzhe".
The professor also said that the legendary dragon was imagined by our ancestors on the basis of snakes, earthworms, etc., so the folk also called the snake "Little Dragon". Around February 2, snakes and earthworms ended their hibernation and started their activities. It is believed that the dragon is the symbol of the emperor, the auspicious thing, and the master of the wind and rain. And 'February 2' is the day when the Dragon wants to rise to the sky and start activities, so it is called 'February 2, the Dragon rises its head'.
So, why not 'February 1' or 'February 3'? Folklore experts explain that it has something to do with our preference for even numbers in folklore.
Folklore experts say that in ancient China, especially in the Qin and Han Dynasties and before, heavy days such as January 1, February 2 and March 3 were regarded as the days when heaven and earth interacted with each other. Therefore, in such a day, people need to do more praying, sacrifice or memorial activities to get happiness, well-being and good luck.
Analysis of astronomy experts' February 2, dragon head up '
"February 2, the rise of the dragon" symbolizes the return of spring and the recovery of all things. So, where is the dragon? How does it raise its head? Astronomers have explained this.
Different from ancient Western astronomy, China divides stars into seven star regions, namely 'three walls' and' four images'. The so-called "wall" means "city wall". 'three walls' are' purple walls', which symbolize the imperial palace; 'Taiwei walls' symbolize the administrative organs;' tianshiyuan 'symbolizes the prosperous street market. The three walls are triangular around the north star. Around the "three walls" are four images: the eastern Canglong, the western white tiger, the southern Zhuque and the northern Xuanwu. In other words, the Eastern Star image is like a dragon, the western star image is like a tiger, the Southern Star image is like a big bird, and the northern star image is like a turtle and a snake. As the earth revolves around the sun, the stars in the sky change with the seasons. Every evening at the turn of winter and spring, the dragon appears; at the turn of spring and summer, the Xuanwu rises; at the turn of summer and autumn, the white tiger shows its head; at the turn of autumn and winter, the rosefinch rises.
There are two stars on the dragon's head 'Jiaosu': Jiaosu 1 and Jiaosu 2, representing the two horns on the dragon's head. The four stars after "Jiaosu" are "Kangsu", which is the throat of the dragon. Under the throat, there are four stars arranged into a dustpan, which is "Disu", representing the dragon claw. The fangxiu, Xinxiu, tailxiu and Jixiu behind the dragon claw represent the heart and tail of the Dragon respectively.
Why do you have your hair cut on February 2?
"In February, the second dragon raised his head and the family man shaved the faucet.". In the old days, people in Huai'an said, "if you have money, shave your head for the new year.". Before the Spring Festival, it's more than a month since February 2. It's the time to have a haircut. It's a auspicious day for the dragon to raise his head in February. As time goes on, the custom of shaving his head on February 2 comes into being. "In February, the second dragon raised his head, and every child shaved his hair" is also the reason. In order to take Jili, add the word "long" in the middle of shaving, which is called shaving "dragon", so as to distinguish the shaving at other times. Some girls choose to wear ear holes on this day. In addition, parents choose this day to send their children to study.