Why do people release river lanterns during the Ghost Festival? What is the significance of releasing river lanterns during the Ghost Festival?
During the Ghost Festival, there is a custom of releasing river lanterns among the people. River lanterns are also called lotus lanterns. Legend has it that they have the function of "saving ghosts" and "illuminating the underworld". So why do people release river lanterns during the Ghost Festival ? What is the significance of releasing river lanterns during the Ghost Festival? In the golden autumn season, the hot weather subsides, and everything changes with the passage of time. Come to Shuimoxiansheng.com and follow the editor to take a look at the seventh month of the lunar calendar in 2019!Why do we release river lanterns during the Ghost Festival?The purpose of releasing river lanterns during the Zhongyuan Festival is to guide ghosts in the water. There is a folk saying that the Shangyuan Festival is a human festival, while the Zhongyuan Festival is a ghost festival. Humans are yang, ghosts are yin, land is yang, and water is yin, so lanterns are hung on land during the Shangyuan Festival, while lanterns are released in the water during the Zhongyuan Festival.The mysterious darkness underwater reminds people of the legendary hell where ghosts sink. Therefore, lanterns are hung on land during the Lantern Festival, and on water during the Ghost Festival. The purpose of releasing river lanterns is to save drowned ghosts and other wandering ghosts in the water and to guide them. A passage from "The Story of Hulan River" by modern female writer Xiao Hong: "July 15th is Ghost Festival; the wronged souls and resentful ghosts of the dead, who cannot be reborn, are lingering in hell and suffering greatly. They want to be reborn, but can't find the way. If on this day, a dead ghost holds a river lantern, he will be reborn." The road from the underworld to the world of the living is probably very dark, and you can't see the road without a light. So lighting lanterns is a good deed. It can be seen that the living upright gentlemen have not forgotten the dead souls and ghosts. What is the significance of releasing river lanterns during the Ghost Festival?The purpose of releasing river lanterns is to save the ghosts and wandering spirits in the water, and also to mourn the deceased relatives.The "river lanterns" among the river lanterns are also known as "lotus lanterns". They are usually made in the shape of lotus petals. Candles are lit in the lanterns and placed in rivers, lakes and seas, allowing them to drift. The production of river lanterns nowadays is not complicated. They are generally made of colorful wax paper by gluing the four corners of a square piece of wax paper together. Wicks are generally made of hemp rope, because such wicks have a long burning time and are also highly wind-resistant. Before releasing the river lantern, dip the bottom of the lantern into candle oil, and then place it on the sand before the wax oil solidifies. This way, some sand will stick to the bottom of the lantern, increasing its weight and making it less likely to be blown over. In 759, Emperor Suzong of Tang issued an edict ordering the establishment of 81 ponds for releasing animals throughout the country. In 1016 AD, Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty designated Buddha's birthday as the day for releasing the dead, and August 15 as the Mid-Autumn Festival. On that day, people would light lanterns, enjoy the moon, sing music on the river, and "monks, nuns, Taoists and lay people would offer sacrifices to the Buddha." Taoism was promoted in the Song Dynasty, and it was stipulated that people in various places should light river lanterns, help lonely souls, perform the Yimakou ritual, and perform the Mulian opera on the Ghost Festival. Many poets left behind poems about the jubilant lantern lighting in the West Lake in Hangzhou. "Chang'an Miscellaneous Feelings in the Style of Bamboo Branches" Qing Dynasty: Pang Kai The coolness of the trees gives rise to the clear air of frost. The moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival is bright in the nine streets. Children compete to pick up the fresh lotus leaves, Thousands of silver flowers scatter across the city of fire. As the saying goes, "A good fate is not as good as good luck." A person's destiny is already determined, and the only thing that can be controlled is his or her "luck." Unexpected changes in the world may happen at any time, so use Mr. Shui Mo's [Premium Calculation] function to learn more about your fortune in 2019! |
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