What is the origin of the Xiayuan Festival and what are its customs?

What is the origin of the Xiayuan Festival and what are its customs?
The Xiayuan Festival is one of China's traditional sacrificial festivals. So, what is the origin of the Xiayuan Festival and what are its customs? Want to know more about the days in the tenth month of the lunar calendar in 2019? Please pay attention to our Shuimoxiansheng website’s special topic for October 2019 of the lunar calendar!

What is the origin of the Lower Yuan Festival?

The 15th day of the tenth month in the lunar calendar is a traditional Chinese folk festival, the Lower Yuan Festival, also known as "Xia Yuan Day" or "Xia Yuan". The origin of the Lower Yuan Festival is related to Taoism. Taoism has three officials: the Heavenly Official, the Earthly Official, and the Water Official. It is said that the Heavenly Official bestows blessings, the Earthly Official forgives sins, and the Water Official relieves disasters. The Lower Yuan Festival is the day when the Water Official and the Emperor Yanggu relieve people from disasters. It is commonly said that on this day, the Water Official, based on his investigation, records the results and reports to the Heavenly Court to relieve people from disasters. On this day, Taoist temples hold ceremonies, while ordinary people offer sacrifices to the dead and pray to the Lower Yuan Water God to solve their problems. In ancient times, the imperial court also had regulations prohibiting slaughter and delaying the execution of death penalty on this day.
In addition, among the people, on the day of the Lower Yuan Festival, there is a custom among folk craftsmen to worship the furnace god. The furnace god is Taishang Laojun, which probably originated from the Taoist custom of using furnace to make elixirs!

What are the customs of the Lower Yuan Festival?

Activities such as burning "gold and silver packages" to worship the deceased ancestors:
People fold red and green paper into fairy clothes, fold tin foil into silver ingots, and put them into a bag covered with white paper. On the front is written "I respectfully present a piece of treasure from the underworld and a piece of colorful clothes to so-and-so, who receives it", and below is written "So-and-so, the descendants, bow a hundred times". On the back is written "Sincerely sealed on such-and-such a year, month, and day". It is commonly known as a "gold and silver bag" and is burned after bowing and worshipping. In addition, there are other common activities of ancestor worship.
"Water Color" and other outdoor activities:
Water is related to the "Water Official", and color is rich in colors. Generally, they make colorful boats and parade them in the river. This is how the water got its name.

Making glutinous rice cakes and other food customs:
On this day, people make glutinous rice cakes at home and give them to relatives and friends, and steam hemp-flavored buns.
Worship the Lower Yuan Water God at home:
Every time the Lower Yuan Festival comes, the Water God descends to the mortal world to inspect the good and evil in the world and relieve people of disasters. Every household lights up for three nights, hangs a pair of lanterns in the main hall, and offers fish, meat, fruit, etc. under the lights.
Related activities in Taoist special places:
On this day, Taoist temples hold ceremonies to help people get rid of their troubles and difficulties. People go to the temples to watch and worship the Lower Yuan Water Official and their ancestors.

Sacrifice to Yu:
On the birthday of Yu, the God of Water, sacrificial activities are often held in Yu temples and other Yu memorial sites across the country.


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