In traditional Chinese culture, the second day of February is an important festival, also known as the "Dragon Raising Festival" or "Spring Ploughing Festival".
Originating from China's ancient farming culture, this festival symbolizes the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new growth cycle. The Oriental Green Dragon, one of the four elephant mythical beasts in traditional Chinese culture, begins to awaken, and on this day, various celebrations are held to pray for good luck and a good harvest.
On the second day of February, people perform special rituals to pray for good luck and good health. For example, people in some places will go to the Dragon King Temple on this day to burn incense and pray for the Dragon King's blessing of good weather and good harvest. In some places, people beat gongs and drums and set off firecrackers to ward off bad luck and welcome good luck.
There are also people who eat some auspicious foods, such as pig's head meat, dragon beard noodles, spring cakes, etc., to pray for good luck and abundant food and clothing in the new year. These foods all have beautiful meanings, such as pig's head meat symbolizes abundance and wealth, and dragon beard noodles symbolize the dragon's blessings and protection.
In addition to the customs mentioned above, there are also places where people hold traditional activities such as dragon boat races and dragon and lion dances on February 2 to demonstrate their cultural traditions and spirit of unity. There are also festivals and fairs where people can buy prayer items, eat food, and enjoy performances.
For example, in Shanxi, people will draw various shapes of patterns on the ground with grass and wood ash on the second day of February, so as to ** the upcoming weather conditions.
In some places in the south, people will choose this day to cut their hair, wash their hair and bathe, which means to wash away the bad luck of the whole year and usher in new good luck.
In the vast rural areas, February 2 is a day full of vitality and hope. Farmers hold solemn rituals to pray to the heavens for a good harvest this year. At the same time, they will also celebrate the day in various ways, such as singing, dancing, setting off fireworks, etc. These activities not only show the enthusiasm and creativity of the farmers, but also show us the simple and pure happiness of traditional Chinese culture.