In the cold winter of the Northeast, people's eyes are once again focused on this land, a place where snowflakes dance. The Northeast is known for its unique customs and local characteristics. One of the most striking traditions is their unique sleeping culture, especially with regard to bedside orientation.
In the Northeast, people do not call it a bed, but a kang. This term has a long history and profound cultural connotations behind it. When Northeast people sleep on the kang, they have a rather distinctive habit, that is, the head is facing outward. This peculiar sleeping position aroused the curiosity of outsiders, who couldn't help but wonder: why do Northeast people like to sleep with their heads out?
The history of Kang can be traced back to the late Neolithic period, about 5,000 years ago. It is not only a heating facility, but also the crystallization of the wisdom and creativity of Northeast people. The origin of the kang can be traced back to the bungalow period in the northeast, where people used cement and earth, combined with stoves, to create this unique bed.
The original ondol was a bed that was heated by burning a fire, and was called "ondol" by the people of Northeast China. In this design, the cooktop is connected to the sleeping space, using the firepower of the cooktop to keep warm. With the passage of time, this kind of fire kang gradually evolved into the kang where modern Northeast people sleep, and became the main heating method in Northeast China.
Due to the long and cold winters in the Northeast, Kang not only provides a warm and comfortable sleeping environment, but also has the advantage of saving fuel and being convenient for cooking. As a result, Kang has become a vital part of the lives of people in Northeast China. Interestingly, Northeast people usually choose to face their heads outwards when sleeping on the kang.
Why do Northeasterners like to sleep with their heads out?This not only contains the edification of traditional culture, but also integrates the wisdom of dealing with the living environment.
In traditional Chinese culture, the orientation of the head of the bed is believed to be related to sleep quality, personal fortune, etc. Northeast people generally believe that the head of the bed facing outward can absorb the positive energy of nature, which has a positive impact on physical health and fortune. This concept has been passed down from generation to generation and has become one of the main reasons why people in Northeast China sleep on the kang with their heads facing outward.
In addition, the head-facing outward is also in line with the cold and dry climate characteristics of the Northeast region in winter. In winter, the head of the bed is facing outwards so that the windows are usually located on the side or opposite of the ondol to facilitate indoor ventilation and sunlight. This keeps the indoor air fresh, raises the indoor temperature, and creates a more comfortable and warm sleeping environment for people.
In addition to cultural and climatic reasons, head-facing saves space and facilitates movement. In the past, the Northeast house structure was usually spacious and bright bungalows or courtyard houses. The outward-facing design makes the most of the indoor space, avoiding the bedside taking up multiple spaces and making it easier for people to move before and after sleep.
For outsiders, the phenomenon of Northeast people "squeezing the kang" can be confusing. In the South, it's not uncommon for a family to huddle in the same bed, but in the Northeast, it's perfectly normal. This also reflects the hospitable, bold and straightforward character of the Northeast people.
Tohoku people are known for their hospitality and sincerity towards friends and family. They love to make new friends, have a bold personality, and speak outright. This character trait is in line with their ondol culture and has become a part of the characteristics of the Northeast region.
Although the phenomenon of "crowding the kang" mainly appeared in the era when the material conditions were relatively scarce, the kang has now become a part of the national culture of Northeast China. In rural areas, although the use of kang is gradually decreasing, for some people in the northeast, kang still carries memories and emotions.
Faced with the problem of pillow slipping that may be caused by the head facing outward, the people of Northeast China have already had a unique solution. They usually place a thick piece of cloth or cotton pad on the edge of the kang as a pillow cushion to prevent the pillow from slipping. Some families even install small railings or baffles on the kang to fix the pillows, which not only ensures a comfortable sleep, but also avoids the embarrassing situation of the pillow slipping.
Through an in-depth analysis of the reasons why people in Northeast China sleep on the kang head facing outward, we find that this unique sleep culture contains rich traditional culture, regional characteristics and life wisdom. This sleep culture not only provides a warm and comfortable sleeping environment for Northeast people, but also becomes an important part of China's diverse culture.
On the kang in the northeast, it carries the living customs and cultural traditions of generations. The uniqueness of this culture lies in the fact that it is not only a living facility, but also a smart response to life for the people of Northeast China. Northeast people sleep on the kang with their heads facing outward, as if they are welcoming the warmth and positive energy of nature, which has become a part of Northeast people's deeply rooted life.