Xia Yuan Festival, also known as Xia Yuan Day and Xia Yuan Liangchen, is one of the traditional festivals in China, which originated from Taoist beliefs. It is located on the 15th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar every year and is the third festival of the Sanyuan Festival. The three yuan festivals are the upper yuan, the middle yuan and the lower yuan, which correspond to the first month of the lunar calendar.
Ten. 5. July 15 and October 15. The Shangyuan Festival is also known as the Lantern Festival, and the Zhongyuan Festival is the Ghost Festival, so what are the customs of the Xiayuan Festival?
The origin of the Xia Yuan Festival can be traced back to the Taoist worship of all things in heaven and earth. Taoism believes that there are three emperors in the universe, who are in charge of the three worlds of heaven, earth and water. The Xia Yuan Festival is the day to worship the Emperor of the Water Officials. Shuiguan Emperor, also known as Emperor Xuan, Emperor Xuanyuan, Emperor Sanyuan, etc., is a very important deity in Taoism. According to the "Xuanmen Gongjiao Sutra", the Emperor Shuiguan descended to the world on October 15 every year to investigate the good and evil of all beings, and to bless, relieve misfortune and forgive sins to the world. Therefore, the Xia Yuan Festival has a strong Taoist color.
On the day of the Xia Yuan Festival, there are many folk customs and activities. First of all, worship the Emperor Shuiguan. Every household will prepare rich offerings, such as grains, fruits, flowers, etc., to pray for the blessing of the Emperor Shuiguan in the coming year, good weather and a good harvest. In addition, people will also sacrifice to their ancestors and surpass the souls of the dead, hoping that their ancestors can live a stable life in the underworld.
Secondly, the Xia Yuan Festival is also a day to pray for rain. In some areas, if there is a drought, the local ** will hold a rain prayer ceremony to pray for the emperor of the water official to rain to relieve the drought. There are also folk customs of praying for rain, such as hanging rain prayer cards and singing rain prayer songs.
In addition, there is also the custom of putting lanterns and parading lanterns in the Xia Yuan Festival. It is believed that putting lanterns and paramizing lanterns on this day is a prayer for peace and happiness, and it is also a reminder of ancestors. A grand lantern festival is held in various places, where people hold lanterns, sing and dance, and celebrate the festival.
Xia Yuan Festival is also a festival of rich food and drink. On this day, various delicacies such as fried tofu, tangyuan, glutinous rice cakes, etc., are prepared in various places. In particular, fried tofu is considered an essential food for worshipping Emperor Shuiguan. Deep-fried tofu is golden in color and fragrant, implying the beauty and prosperity of life.
In short, the Xia Yuan Festival is a traditional festival with Taoist colors in China, and the folk have rich customs and activities. Although in modern society, the Xia Yuan Festival has gradually been integrated with other festivals, it still carries people's yearning for a better life and awe for all things natural.