What are the customs in different places when the Dragon Raises its Head on February 2? What are the taboos during the Dragon Raising its Head on February 2?
The second day of the second month of the lunar calendar is called "the day when the dragon raises its head" by the people. It symbolizes the return of spring and the revival of all things. It is a traditional folk festival of the Han nationality. So do you know what customs are there in various places on the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar? What are the taboos during the Dragon Raising its Head on February 2? If you don’t know, come to Shuimo.net to find out.What are the customs in different places when the Dragon Raises its Head on February 2?1. In Beijing, there is a folk saying: "On the second day of the second month, the beams of the house are shining, and scorpions and centipedes have nowhere to hide." What does this mean? It means that on the second day of the second month, various poisonous insects become active more frequently. In order to avoid being harmed by poisonous insects, people would light oil lamps or candles to illuminate the beams and walls. Scorpions, centipedes and other insects fall down when they see the light and are driven away and killed by people.2. In some rural areas of Shandong, the custom of "scattering ashes to attract dragons" is still preserved. Early in the morning on the second day of the second lunar month, people would fill a winnowing basket with wood ash and spread it densely along the outer walls of their houses to lead the way to the river. Then they would spread rice bran to form a dragon and lead it into the house, meaning to send away the lazy (green) dragon and bring in the money (yellow) dragon. While "attracting the dragon", they were also chanting "On the second day of the second month, beat the winnowing baskets, the big granaries are full and the small granaries are overflowing", hoping for a good harvest this year and filling all the granaries. 3. In Hebei, before dawn on the second day of February, men will carry a load of buckets and come to the village well to fetch water. It is said that on the second day of the second lunar month, there are "dragon eggs" in the well. Taking the "dragon egg" home can bring good weather and a good harvest. Unmarried girls in Handan would go out in groups with pots, pans, and food to have picnics in the wild and on the mountains, which is called "girls eating the Qiqiao meal on the second day of the second month." 4. In the Guanzhong area of Shaanxi, there is a custom of "beating beans" on the second day of the second lunar month, which symbolizes the blooming of golden beans and a good harvest of grains. Therefore, every household makes popcorn, corn beans, and beans. The fried beans should be given to those at home, and some should be reserved for closest relatives. For example, an uncle would give his nephew some popcorn and steamed buns. Nowadays, few people in cities eat fried beans. So, every second day of the second lunar month, everyone would come to the popcorn stand to buy traditional popcorn. 5. In some places in Guangdong, there is a custom of "starting the dragon boat" on the second day of the second lunar month. Dragon boat racing is popular in Guangdong during the Dragon Boat Festival. On the second day of the second month before the Dragon Boat Festival, people will jump into the water, take the dragon boat out of the water, clean it, and prepare it for the race. However, there are also some places in Guangdong that "launch dragon boats" on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival. 6. In Putian, Fujian, there is a saying among the people: "On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head, and people have a big feast." As the name suggests, every family has a big feast on this day. The second day of the second lunar month is the first day of worship every year, called "Tou Ya"; the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the last day of worship, called "Wei Ya". Although the "first party" is not as grand as the "last party", it still needs to be held in a decent manner. Business owners will also prepare fruits, wine and food, light incense and candles, burn tribute silver and set off firecrackers, making the event very lively. 7. People in Nantong, Jiangsu Province are accustomed to adding the title of "dragon" to the names of foods. Eating noodles is called eating "dragon whiskers", eating wontons is called eating "dragon eyes", eating dumplings is called eating "dragon ears", eating rice is called eating "dragon seeds", eating spring rolls is called eating "dragon scales"... What's interesting is that before getting up, women will recite "On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head. If the dragon doesn't raise its head, I will." Why should we read it like this? I don't understand. 8. In Sichuan, there is a custom of shaving one’s head. On the second day of the second lunar month, Sichuan barbershops do particularly good business. In addition to shaving, many places also hold colorful folk cultural activities, which not only show the ancient and profound traditional culture, but also show the contemporary people's good wishes to worship dragons and pray for rain in order to achieve a good harvest. What are the taboos during the Dragon Raising its Head on February 2?Taboo 1: Don’t spend the second day of the second lunar month at your parents’ homeAccording to the customs of the old society, a newly married daughter-in-law had to serve her parents-in-law and husband at her husband's home before and after the New Year. After the 16th day of the first lunar month, she could temporarily return to her parents' home as a rest day, but she could only stay until the end of the first lunar month and had to go home after the first lunar month. Because after February 2nd it is the time for spring plowing, and people have to go to the fields to work. Taboo 2: Women are not allowed to give birth at their parents’ home When a woman gives birth, she will definitely bleed, and some lochia will be discharged from the body after delivery. In the past, this was considered a very dirty thing. For a woman to give birth at her parents' home is equivalent to bringing bad luck home, while the day of the Dragon Raising its Head on February 2 is equivalent to bringing good luck home, which is in conflict with the other day, so women are not allowed to give birth at their parents' home. Taboo 3: No needle, thread or scissors After the dragon's head is pierced, women are not allowed to do needlework on the second day of the second lunar month. It is said that the dragon will raise its head to look at the world on this day, and using a needle will hurt the dragon's eyes. Before getting up, women must recite "On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head. If the dragon doesn't raise its head, I will." After getting up, one has to light a lantern on the beams, reciting "On the second day of the second month, shine on the beams, scorpions will have nowhere to hide in the pine trees." Taboo 4: Don’t say “jealous” In the dialects of the Central Plains provinces of my country, "eating jealousy" is seen as having the meaning of "envy". On the second day of the second lunar month, because the festival itself is a festive occasion, people at that time were afraid that petty-mindedness would affect good luck, so they called "taboo" "vinegar", and using taboo means being jealous. Taboo 5: Don’t eat noodles In Beijing, Henan and other places, people are forbidden to eat noodles on the second day of the second lunar month. It is said that eating noodles is like eating dragon's whiskers, which will offend the Dragon King and cause floods that year. People are not allowed to drink porridge or eat rice because they believe that porridge is dragon's blood and rice is dragon's egg. You can’t spin cotton, because “Spinning cotton on the second day of the second month will stain the dragon’s hair and claws.” Dragon claw means being struck by lightning. In some places, washing clothes is taboo for fear of damaging the dragon's skin. In Wucheng area, people are forbidden to go out before the sun rises, otherwise they will "kick the top of the granary" and destroy the hope of a good harvest for the year. |
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