Shou Sui, this ancient tradition, originated in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when the literati of the Liang Dynasty were loyal fans of Shou Sui. Not only did they practice this custom, but they also sang its praises in poetry, so that the tradition of keeping the New Year has been passed down through history to this day. Today, let's review those humorous New Year's poems!
First, we need to understand the origins of the observance. It is said that the custom of keeping the New Year began during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, when people set off firecrackers, pasted Spring Festival couplets, and observed the New Year on Chinese New Year's Eve in order to drive away a monster called "Nian". Although this legend is absurd, it adds a touch of mystery to the observance and makes people even more in awe of the tradition.
The literati of the Liang Dynasty, as the cultural elite of that era, naturally did not miss such an interesting topic. They picked up the brushes in their hands, swayed the fragrance of ink, and painted vivid pictures of the New Year's celebration with humorous brushstrokes.
There is a poet named Du Fu, he wrote in the poem: "Keeping the wine at home, smelling the chicken everywhere." This poem depicts the scene when every family was keeping the New Year and roosters could be heard everywhere. The "wine" and "chicken" here can't help but remind people of the saying: "When you are full of wine and food, you can smell the chicken and dance." "It seems that the literati of the Liang Dynasty did not forget to enjoy food and wine when they were celebrating the New Year, which is really a great joy in life!
Another poet named Wang Zhihuan wrote in his poem: "The golden jar of the New Year is exhausted, and the jade candle of the spring is broken." This poem depicts the night of the vigil, when the wine in the golden jar is drunk and the jade candles are almost burned. The "golden jar" and "jade candle" here are reminiscent of the luxurious life of the ancient imperial palace. It seems that the literati of the Liang Dynasty did not forget to pursue a high-quality life when they were celebrating the New Year, which is really an extraordinary taste!
There is also a poet named Bai Juyi, who wrote in his poem: "The cold of the New Year is more tangible, and the warmth of spring is still far away." This poem depicts the night of the New Year's vigil, the cold is pressing, but the warmth of spring is still far away. The "cold is more cut" and "warm is still far away" here reminds people of the ups and downs of life. It seems that the literati of the Liang Dynasty did not forget to sigh about life when they were keeping the New Year, which was really emotional!
In addition to these well-known poems, the literati of the Liang Dynasty also created many humorous stories about the New Year. For example, there is a story about a scholar named Zhang San, who was on the night of the New Year's vigil, because he drank too much, he actually pasted the Spring Festival couplets at home upside down. This made his family angry, and they blamed him for not knowing the rules. However, Zhang San said with a smile: "Anyway, if the word 'Fu' is pasted upside down, it is also 'Fu'!" This sentence caused the family to burst into laughter, and the originally awkward atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.
There is also a story about a scholar named Li Si, who fell asleep on the night of the New Year's vigil because he stayed up too late and was pasting the Spring Festival couplets. This made his family angry, and they blamed him for being irresponsible. However, Li Si smiled and said, "I'm adding blessings to my family in my dreams!" This sentence caused the family to burst into laughter, and the originally tense atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.
Through these humorous poems and stories, we can see the unique insights of the literati of the Liang Dynasty on the tradition of keeping the year. With humorous strokes, they make the tradition of keeping the New Year more lively and interesting, so that people can spend this important holiday with laughter.
Nowadays, the observance of the New Year has become an important part of traditional Chinese culture, and every Chinese New Year's Eve, every household holds a New Year's observance activity. And the humorous poems of the literati of the Liang Dynasty have also become a good memory of our observance. In this festival full of joy and blessings, let us cherish the memory of those talented literati of the Liang Dynasty and feel the happy times they brought us!