The second day of the second month of the lunar calendar is the day when dragon heads up. "Dragon head up" actually means that the seven stars of "green dragon" begin to appear in the East, and all things begin to wake up at this time. Spring is really coming. Do you want to know why it is called "dragon head up" on February 2? What are the folk customs of dragon head? Let's follow Xiaobian to have a look.
On February 2, why is it called "dragon head up"?
In the north, February 2 is also called "dragon head up day" or "spring Dragon Festival". In the south, it is called "outing Festival" in the south, and it was called "picking vegetables Festival" in ancient times. From about the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese have had the custom of February 2. Rui Naiwei, a folk in China, says that dragon is an auspicious thing and is in charge of clouds and rain. February 2 of the lunar calendar is the day when dragon and elm are born. In terms of solar terms, at the beginning of the second month of the lunar calendar, it is in the middle of 'rain', 'startling insects' and' vernal equinox '. Many places in China have begun to enter the rainy season. This is the law of nature, but the ancients believed that it was due to the dragon. Moreover, it has a very high status in the eyes of the Chinese people. It is not only a auspicious thing, but also the master of the weathering rain. Therefore, there is a saying that "February 2, dragon head up".
What are the folk customs of dragon head on February 2?
There are many kinds of festival food for dragon head raising, but whatever kind of food is related to the character of dragon. In the north, it is customary to eat spring cakes and pork head on this day. The South may prefer noodles, wonton, etc. You can also eat popcorn, because this kind of food is included in the folklore of dragon head up. Eating the food of traditional festivals can not only inherit traditional culture, but also borrow the auspicious meaning of festivals.
1. Spring cake
Eating spring cakes is called "eating dragon scales". A spring cake larger than the palm of your hand is like a dragon scale. Spring cakes are tough and contain many dishes. For example, pickled meat, elbows, smoked chicken, pickled duck, etc., are cut into thin shreds with a knife, and several home-made fried dishes, such as fried leek sprouts with shredded pork, spinach with shredded meat, green bean sprouts cooked with vinegar, stir fried vermicelli with vegetable sauce, and spread eggs. All of them are rolled into spring cakes and eaten with shredded green onion and flour paste sprinkled with sesame oil. It's really delicious. When eating spring cakes, the whole family sit together and put the baked spring cakes in the steamer. They are hot and joyful.
2. Pig head meat
It is also said to eat pig's head on February 2. Since ancient times, the three animals of pig, cattle and sheep have always been used to offer sacrifices to gods. Later, it was simplified as the head of the three animals, and pig head was one of them. Later, the pig's head gradually became a delicacy, and it also had the auspicious sign of turning from danger to safety. "February 2" eating modern "Grilled pig's face" is a perfect experience of blending the contemporary and the history.
3. Shaving tap
It is said that February 2 is the day when the dragon is stung to heaven. However, the Chinese people always regard dragon as a totem. This day 'shaving the dragon head' reflects people's good wishes to pray for the blessing of the dragon.
Take advantage of 'February 2 shaving faucet' to cut a head, a relaxed. But do you know, the length of hair, the quality of hair style, sometimes also have a close relationship with health, some even hairdressers do not know.
4. Start the writing ceremony
It is said that the third day of February is the birthday of Wenchang (the God of fame and fame). In the old custom, children start writing ceremony on February 2, which indicates that they begin to study formally. In the ceremony, there should be worship of Confucius, teaching the most basic principles of life, and presenting four treasures of the study. Students will also say, 'on February 2, the dragon looks up, but if the Dragon doesn't look up, I'll look up. '