What is the origin and customs of the Daughter's Day?
Nina Day is a traditional festival with a deep historical and cultural background. In China, this festival is also known as the "Qixi Festival", which originated from the astrological culture of ancient China and is closely linked to the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Below, let's take a closer look at the origin and customs of the Daughter's Day.
1. The origin of Daughter's Day.
The Daughter's Festival was also known as the "Qiqiao Festival" in ancient times, which originated in the Han Dynasty and was popular in the Tang and Song dynasties. According to folklore, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl fell in love in the sky, but because of the huge difference in their backgrounds, they could not be together. Later, the great power of love touched the magpies in the love of the two people, so on the seventh day of July every year, the magpies would gather on the Tianhe River to build a magpie bridge for the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, so that they could meet. This day is also known as the "Tanabata Festival".
In ancient times, the status of women was low, and the society's requirement for women was also "women are virtuous if they are not talented". In this context, the emergence of the Daughter's Day is undoubtedly a comfort and encouragement for women. During the festival, women show off their talents and abilities by making handicrafts and performing songs and dances, and this activity has gradually developed into a tradition.
2. The customs of Daughter's Day.
1.Threading the needle is ingenious.
On the day of Daughter's Day, women perform needle-threading activities. They will start with some preparatory activities, such as making handicrafts, preparing needlework, etc. When night falls, they begin to thread needles and beggars. In this process, the women will show their crafts and skills, showing their talents and abilities by making handicrafts and performing songs and dances.
2.Needle test.
Needle throwing is also a traditional activity on Daughter's Day. In this activity, women throw sewing needles into the water and judge their clumsiness by observing how the needles float and sink in the water. If the needle floats on the water, it is considered to be ingenious;If the needle sinks to the bottom, it is considered to be uningenious. Although this activity may seem superstitious, it was a common custom in the social context of the time.
3.Joy spider coincidence.
Spider Joy is also a traditional event of Daughter's Day. In this activity, the women prepare a small spider in advance and place it in a small box covered with gauze. On Daughter's Day, they take out the small box and observe the shape and size of the spider's web, so as to judge their clumsiness. If the spider's web is beautiful and strong, it is considered to be ingenious;If the spider's web is strangely shaped and not strong, it is considered to be inadequate.
4.Lavender for beauty.
On Daughter's Day, the women also perform a lavender activity. They would place their new clothes or sachets in the flowers or on top of the smokers, so that the cigarettes would be burned for beauty. This activity is mainly to show the industriousness and ingenuity of women, and it is also one of the compulsory courses for women in ancient times.
In conclusion, Hina Day is a traditional festival with a deep historical and cultural background. During this festival, women show their talents and abilities in various ways as a way to express their emotions and aspirations for a better life. At the same time, this festival also reflects the ancient Chinese people's yearning for love and the pursuit of a better life.