A breathtaking visual feast!
Iron splashes, dragons leap and lion leaps, stilt art dancing, brilliant lantern festivals, bench dragons meandering spectacular ......
The Spring Festival celebration recently presented on a certain audio platform can be described as full of rituals, vividly showing the rich folk customs and the unique charm of traditional culture.
This audio-visual chapter not only feasts people's eyes, but also awakens our deep respect and warm emotions for the traditional festival, and truly pushes the New Year's flavor to a new climax.
Image source @ Zhejiang**.
Source: @China Youth Daily.
Image source @ Shimizu Information Circle.
As a modern person who has lived in the city for a long time, I have expressed this sentiment from time to time in recent years:
The smell of the New Year seems to be fading year by year, and the way the Spring Festival is celebrated has become more and more lackluster. ”
However, at this special moment this year, thanks to the enthusiastic sharing of the majority of netizens, I was fortunate to have a deep appreciation of the colorful and profound traditional folk activities of the Spring Festival in various parts of the Chinese nation through the online window.
It turns out that the Spring Festival can be so vivid and interesting, full of infinite possibilities! ”
Shehuo
Shehuo, a word rich in profound cultural heritage, its word "she" implies the meaning of pious sacrifice to the god of the land, and "fire" carries people's lofty awe of the god of fire.
Image source @Netizen Snow.
Since ancient times, the social fire activity has symbolized the people's good wishes for a bumper harvest of grains, driving away evil spirits and avoiding disasters, it originated from the deep sacrifice ceremony of the ancient Chinese ancestors to the mother earth, through the long history of thousands of years, and is still widely spread in the land of China.
Especially in the vast northwest region, the culture of social fire is particularly prosperous, and there is even a saying: "The essence of the national social fire is in the northwest; The treasure of the Northwest Shehuo, the first to recommend Gansu. ”
Gansu Shehuo has always been highly respected for its unique original ecological charm and mellow traditional charm.
One of the most well-known forms of performance is "Iron Core". This artistic spectacle depicts children dressed up as characters from classic stories, cleverly anchored on two or three layers of hidden iron frames.
Viewed from a distance, the children seem to be suspended in the air, which is both peculiar and thrilling, and it is breathtaking.
Tracing the origin of the "iron core", the first mascots such as pigs, sheep, and chickens were kneaded with dough and placed on sacred fairy tables to parade and display, in order to pray for the protection of ancestors and gods.
With the passage of time and the increasing number of spectators, this traditional custom has gradually evolved into a unique "air" display in which children play the role, which not only retains the solemn connotation of the sacrifice, but also adds a strong entertainment and joyful atmosphere shared by the whole people.
Although the "Iron Core" performance may seem thrilling, please rest assured that the children participating in the performance are always under strict security.
Throughout the cruise, they can enjoy a meal when it's time to eat and sleep peacefully when it's time to rest, ensuring that they are safe and do not interfere with their daily lives.
This folk feast, which combines ancient wisdom and modern security, is undoubtedly a shining pearl in the intangible cultural heritage of Gansu and even Northwest China.
Photo source @ Sichuan TV News Channel.
Image source @ leading news.
Netizens commented: "It's really a fairy-like life experience." ”
The children's innocent nature is revealed, like a clear spring, injecting a bit of childlike fun and vividness into the original solemn atmosphere.
In contrast, the unique folk custom inherited from Chisha Town, Baoji, Shaanxi Province - "Blood Society Fire" is quite thrilling.
In the picture, the scissors penetrate the eyes, the kitchen knife cuts the skull, and the axe hits the center of the eyebrows.
However, please put aside your nervousness for a moment. Behind these seemingly bloody and terrifying images, there are actually profound cultural connotations and moral education functions.
They originate from the classic story of "Wu Song kills Ximenqing" in "Water Margin", and convey the profound theme of "punishing evil and promoting good", so they are also affectionately called "zha happy" in the local area. The implication is that after eradicating the injustice of the world, the human heart can be free and vibrant. Someone once brilliantly summed it up:
The shock of the fire of the blood society is not because of its superficial horror, but because it warns the world not to fall into ignorance. Only by guiding children to understand the meaning can they grow up to be upright people. ”
At the same time, while Shaanxi's "Blood Society Fire" promotes justice in a unique way, Henan's "Scolding Society Fire" prays for a better life in a unique form.
"It's unimaginable that some people don't say auspicious words during the Spring Festival, but come to the door to 'scold'. "The customs of Dongchang and Xichang villages in Lingbao County, Henan Province are so peculiar.
Every year from the second day of the first lunar month, the two villages will spontaneously organize a "scolding array" and take turns to go to each other's villages to perform a unique "scolding ceremony".
Those who participate in the scolding battle need to wear a padded jacket backwards, symbolizing that they are like beasts at the moment, and what they say is not common sense in the world, so the listener does not need to mind.
Although it is called "scolding", it is actually a fictitious corruption and perversion of the law, aiming to "scold the false but not the real", educate and entertain, and pray for a smooth and happy life in the coming year in an alternative way.
The purpose is to hope that in the new year, all the villagers can urge each other to prevent similar things from happening.
Therefore, in this unique cultural soil, insults are given a different kind of respect. The more fierce the verbal confrontation, the more jubilant the villagers felt, as if a local version of "Tucao Conference" was staged here.
However, the connotation and charm of social fire activities go far beyond what I mentioned above.
It has a long history, and now, the word "Shehuo" is no longer limited to a specific form, but broadly covers all the colorful traditional customs and activities during the festival, and has become a collective symbol of festival celebrations.
Does your hometown also have a unique social fire activity? What kind of buzz are they? You are welcome to share it in the message area, so that we can appreciate the unique charm and folk customs from your hometown.
Fortress Wanghuo
In the Shanxi region of the land of China, a unique Spring Festival custom - "Lei Wang Huo" carries a profound cultural heritage, and it is also an indispensable part of the rich and colorful "Troubled Shehuo" folk activities.
Legend has it that in ancient folk tales, there was a fierce monster named "Nian", who would sneak into the village silently on New Year's night and wreak havoc on innocent people and animals.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, the "Nian" returns to the village, but unexpectedly encounters a brave shepherd boy wielding a loud whip and a woman drying bright red clothes. These two scenes frightened "Nian", and he had to flee in embarrassment.
Since then, the villagers have learned about Nian's fear of red and firecrackers, and based on this, they have begun to hold a series of ceremonies to deter evil spirits and pray for blessings on the night of Chinese New Year's every year.
They lit blazing bonfires, set off earth-shattering firecrackers, and hung glittering red lanterns to dispel darkness and fear with blazing flames, fiery sounds, and auspicious red lights.
This burning bonfire is the predecessor of the "Wanghuo" custom, which symbolizes prosperity and prosperity today, and has continued through the years and has become a unique traditional symbol for the people of Shanxi to celebrate the New Year and place a beautiful vision.
Photo source @ Princess Yue.
We all know that the land of Shanxi is extremely rich in coal resources, especially in that harsh winter, the cold is pressing.
Therefore, every Chinese New Year's Eve, every household has such a unique and warm traditional custom:
Large chunks of coal are carefully piled up in the shape of a pagoda symbolizing auspiciousness and abundance, and are lit in the night.
The whole family, young and old, will revolve around this glittering fire, follow the ancient adage "go around the three turns, turn around again and again", celebrate the New Year in warmth, and pray for a prosperous and prosperous life in the coming year, which will be as blazing as a flame.
I was fortunate to hear a friend from Shanxi share that every year when they build a prosperous fire, they will use chopsticks to string steamed buns and roast them until golden brown, which is commonly known as "roasted gold and silver".
Not only that, but many parents will also take this opportunity to let their children perform the "plucking" ceremony under the firelight, which means that the child can thrive and "must be pulled out of the ground".
There is a proverb among the people: "Tata fire, if it does not collapse, it is not a real fire." "In the hearts of Shanxi people, only when the fire burns to the point of collapse, it marks the real auspiciousness.
At that moment, people scrambled to throw firecrackers into the falling fire, and instantly burst into a crackling and lively sound, becoming an unforgettable joyful scene.
Nonetheless, we must emphasize that there are certain security risks associated with such behavior.
However, with the development of the times and the positive response to the concept of environmental protection and energy saving, the traditional coal base fire activity has gradually withdrawn from the historical stage, and has been replaced by a greener and safer "electronic fire".
Although the fire in reality is no longer blazing and spectacular, it cannot withstand the severe winter cold, but it is not only the warm temperature that disappears, but also the strong New Year's flavor that is deeply rooted in the heart and overflows on everyone's face.
This inevitably makes people feel a faint sense of regret and regret in their hearts.
Fuzhou Wandering God
In the far north, people revere "fire" like a flame against the cold of winter, while in the religious south, people uphold the firm belief in the "supremacy of faith". In the land of Fuzhou, on the occasion of the Spring Festival every year, a solemn and mysterious ritual - the wandering god, has become an indispensable New Year's flavor and spiritual sustenance in the hearts of the locals.
It is said that on this special day, the gods come to the earth once a year to visit the countryside and shine a blessing on the earth.
The villagers devoutly invite the main god enshrined in their temples and ancestral halls into the luxurious shrine, and the characters of the main god such as black and white impermanence, children's brothers, and four generals are skillfully given to life, and the majestic "bone god statue" made by the villagers themselves is vividly displayed in front of the world. The villagers carried the statue of the god and walked rhythmically with rhythmic steps, echoing back and forth, escorting the main god through the countryside with solemn and powerful movements.
Those tall and mighty "bone god statues" are even more majestic against the backdrop of the night, which makes people feel awe, and even makes many viewers marvel at their deterrent power and bluntly say "frightened". However, some netizens have insight into the deep meaning and think that this horror contains a sense of security: "How can the god of catching ghosts be kind? If you can't deter people's hearts, how can you subdue the evil spirit? ”
Whenever the event is about to begin, the villagers will arrange a sumptuous tribute at home in advance to show their respect for the gods. After the procession departed, everyone gathered in front of their houses with lanterns symbolizing the size of their families, looking forward to the arrival of the gods. When the main deity passes by each house, he will deliberately stop and shake the sedan chair vigorously, implying that it will bring a lot of wealth to every household.
At this moment, the villagers threw the small firecrackers in their hands at the Youshen team, in order to express their desire to expel ** and pray for peace. The louder and denser the sound of firecrackers, the more evil spirits are dispelled, until the entire process of wandering the gods is almost submerged in the warm sound of firecrackers, and there is no other sound.
And in this solemn and lively event, the most exciting scene is the final climax - "Rushing to the Palace", which pushes the whole ceremony to the peak of the interweaving of emotions and beliefs.
The crowd of onlookers flocked to the statue of the sacred deity, eager to touch the "god" in their hearts, hoping that this sacred moment would bring them good fortune and wealth in the new year.
The villagers, carrying the majestic statues of the gods, fought their way through the boiling crowds and escorted the gods back to the temple. The scene at this moment is both fiery and spectacular, full of strong folk customs and solemn sense of ceremony.
Although there is no shortage of people on the Internet who label the "wandering gods" as "feudal superstition", this view is understandable to a certain extent - after all, its warm religious atmosphere is indeed prone to such associations. However, I would like to emphasize that the meaning of the traditional practice of "wandering gods" goes far beyond mere belief.
It is more like a bridge of emotional resonance for local villagers, maintaining the common memory and deep emotions of generations. "Every year, it is only at the moment of the wandering gods that we put down our busyness and gather from all directions. ”
One villager said, "I grew up watching my father's wandering gods, and now I can be a part of the inheritors, and this feeling is like a dream that has been passed down from generation to generation." ”
In fact, whether or not it is directly related to religion, the core of all kinds of folklore activities is always "people".
Because we need the light of hope in our lives to light the way forward, but also because we yearn for a shared belief in our hearts, and we can join hands with those around us to move firmly into the future.
Because of this, the unique folk tradition of "wandering gods" is particularly important and indispensable in our cultural context.
Chaoshan Ying song and dance
In the vast world of the Internet, I believe that every netizen has witnessed the warm scene of "star-chasing grandeur":
The scene converged into a vast sea of people, and the crowd was tightly clustered together like a wave, impenetrable. It is difficult to squeeze forward into the core area, and it is difficult to retreat to find a gap.
In our rich and colorful traditional folk cultural activities, there is also a unique event that can compare with or even surpass the "large-scale star-chasing event" because of its high popularity and hot response.
That is - English song and dance. This form of performance, with its majestic momentum, passionate rhythm and profound cultural heritage, attracts countless audiences to gather together to witness a vivid interpretation of intangible cultural heritage.
Image source @Jieyang Radio and Television.
Ying Song and Dance, known as the "Heroic Battle Song", is a large-scale folk collective dance that integrates the essence of opera, martial arts and Yangge.
It is deeply rooted in the legendary story of "Water Margin", especially in the interpretation of the classic episode of "Liangshan Heroes Bravely Save Lu Junyi", which contains a profound spiritual connotation of "strengthening the right and eliminating the evil".
During the performance, the dancers carefully sketched their distinctive faces, vividly reproducing the image of the Water Margin heroes.
They clenched short wooden sticks with both hands, and with the passionate drum beat, they swung up and down, left and right, showing strong and powerful movements and a distinct and strong sense of rhythm, like a dynamic picture of the ancient battlefield.
It is worth noting that because of its superb physical strength and technical requirements, British singing and dancing is very different from many folk activities that rely on the inheritance of the older generation.
In this traditional art, it is precisely the young people who have become the main force, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting and carrying forward.
Whether it's a 35-year-old man in the prime of life or a young child as young as two and a half years old, almost everyone can perform a unique dance with one or two strokes of English singing and dancing, demonstrating the vitality and vitality of this intangible cultural heritage in the new generation.
Image source @ Shimizu Information Circle.
Source: @Phoenix Weekly.
In any of the "Ying Song and Dance" **, just one click, immediately shocked by its majestic aura.
It was a feast of sight and sound: the dancers moved in unison, as precise and powerful as a knife and an axe;
Their cries are rough and unrestrained, releasing raw and fiery emotions;
The sound of the drums stirred up and hit the sky, like the drums of war, awakening the sleeping soul.
Because of this, the British song and dance is known as the "Chinese War Dance", and this alias is well deserved.
Therefore, many netizens have praised: "Compared with the performance of the domestic entertainment men's group, the charm of British singing and dancing is simply surpassed!" ”
There is a deeply rooted sentence that describes the Chaoshan people's persistent love for English singing and dancing:
It may be a little difficult to get Chaoshan people to work on time at 8 a.m., but if you ask them to gather at 5 a.m. to practice English singing and dancing, you will find that they are ready to go as early as 3 a.m. ”
At first, this seemed like a joke, but after in-depth understanding, I realized that the love for English singing and dancing has long been deeply imprinted in the blood and blood of every Chaoshan person, and has become a unique symbol of their cultural heritage and enthusiasm for life.
Source: @ElephantNews.
The senior coach of Ying Song and Dance once elaborated affectionately: "In the Chaoshan area, there are many ancestral halls, symbolizing our Chaoshan people's deep attachment to their own 'roots'.
The art form of 'Ying Song and Dance' not only gives participants the opportunity to play heroes and experience pride, but also carries people's determination to adhere to and inherit the 'root culture'. ”
Perhaps, because of this, the sense of strength released by the singing and dancing is actually the condensed embodiment of the common belief of all Chaoshan people. "I think so.
Today, I have joined you in the rich and colorful traditional folk activities in our country that are still active in the world, although it is only a glimpse of the speculation, but I have felt the profound cultural heritage contained in it, the spiritual power passed down from generation to generation, which is by no means a few words can be described in detail. However, "practice makes sense", and first-hand experience is the key to understanding its essence.
At this moment, as I finish this article, I can't help but yearn to embark on a journey during the Spring Festival, immerse myself in the strong customs of various places, and feel the cultural charm that travels through time and space.
Although the development of modern society has brought unprecedented convenience to our lives, I firmly believe that only the infiltration of traditional culture can nourish our spiritual world and give life a richer connotation.
Here, we sincerely invite you to click [Follow], let us look forward to it together, and wish everyone a prosperous Year of the Dragon and a happy New Year!
I would like to ask you, what are the unique traditional folk activities in your hometown?
What are some of the folklore experiences you have personally participated in, and what insights and touches have you gained from them?
Welcome to the comment section to share your story and exchange those beautiful moments that are imprinted in our national memory.
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