Many people are very unfamiliar with this festival, but in fact, this is a traditional Han festival that contains rich folk culture. This festival is mainly spread in Dianbai County, Maoming, Guangdong, and is held on the 29th day of the first lunar month every year. On this day, every household will make sticky rice and boil eggs in sugar water to celebrate the spring harvest and pray for good weather and abundant grains in the coming year. With the development of society, the customs of the last nine festivals have also undergone some changes, but what has not changed is people's prayer for a better life.
I. The Origin of the Last Nine Verses
There is a beautiful legend about the origin of the last nine verses. Legend has it that a long time ago, there was a severe drought in Dianbai County for two consecutive years, and the grain harvest failed. The people were so miserable that they had to pray to the gods for rain. There is a local woman named Xian Daxi, in order to find a water source, she is not afraid of hardships and dangers, climbing mountains and wading through water. Finally, on the 29th day of the first lunar month, she found a water source in a place. In order to thank Xian Da Ji for his kindness, the local people designated this day as the "Hou Jiu Festival", and a grand celebration is held at this time of year to pray for good weather and abundant harvests.
2. The customs of the last nine verses
1.Steamed sticky rice and egg in syrup.
On the day of the last nine festivals, every family will get up early and start preparing sticky rice and sugar water eggs. Sticky rice symbolizes a good harvest and reunion, while sugar water eggs symbolize sweetness and contentment. People also add red dates, peanuts, wolfberries and other ingredients to their meals, implying good luck. On this day, people invite friends and family to share their best wishes by eating sticky rice and eggs in syrup.
2.Dragon and lion dances.
Another important custom in the last nine festivals is the dragon and lion dance. In some places in Dianbai County, there will also be a special dragon and lion dance team to perform. The procession is made up of young locals, dressed in colorful costumes and dancing happily with dragon and lion props in their hands. The dragon and lion dance performances not only show the local cultural traditions, but also convey people's yearning and prayers for a better life.
3.Outing.
On the day of the last nine festivals, people will also choose to go to the suburbs to play. Dense forests, clear streams, and beautiful flowers attract many tourists to enjoy them. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful scenery of natural scenery, but you can also breathe fresh air and relieve the pressure and fatigue of work. On this day, people bring their family and friends on a trip to share the joy of family.
4.Burn incense and pray for blessings.
On the day of the last nine festivals, there will be a custom of burning incense and praying for blessings in many places. People burn incense in temples to pray to the gods to bless their families with good health, good careers, and abundant crops. Burning incense and praying for blessings is an expression of people's awe and gratitude to the gods, as well as the yearning and pursuit of a better life. On this day, people bring their family and friends to the temple to burn incense and pray for good luck and a good harvest in the coming year.
5.Guess the lantern riddles.
On the day of the last nine festivals, there is also an interesting custom of guessing lantern riddles. People would hang various lanterns and lanterns in their homes and write riddles on the lanterns. Family and friends guess the riddle together, and those who guess will get a small gift or red envelope as a reward. Guessing lantern riddles can not only add to the atmosphere of the festival, but also exercise people's thinking skills. On this day, people play riddles and guess riddles with each other, and there is a lot of laughter and laughter.
3. The taboos of the last nine verses
1.It is not advisable to travel far away.
On the day of the last nine festivals, some people think that it is not advisable to go out and travel. Because this day is a day to celebrate a good harvest and pray for good luck, going out for a long distance will break this beautiful atmosphere and aura. Therefore, during this festival, people will try to stay at home or in nearby places to avoid long walks or long trips. However, this taboo is not something that everyone will abide by, and some people will still choose to travel or run errands on this day.
2.It is not advisable to quarrel and fight.
On the day of the last nine festivals, there is also a taboo that it is not appropriate to quarrel and fight. Because this day is a day to celebrate a good harvest and pray for good luck, if there is a quarrel and brawl it will spoil this beautiful atmosphere and aura. So during this festival, people will try to stay calm and restrained to avoid disputes and conflicts. If there is a conflict that needs to be resolved, it can be dealt with and resolved after the festival.
Fourth, the cultural connotation of the last nine sections
The Hou Jiu Festival is a traditional Han festival that contains rich folk culture. With the theme of celebrating the spring harvest and praying for good luck in the coming year, this festival inherits the traditional virtues and cultural values of the Chinese nation. Through the celebration of this festival, people can feel the charm and spiritual connotation of traditional culture, and enhance their sense of identity and belonging to their hometown and national culture. At the same time, this festival also reflects people's yearning and pursuit of a better life, and stimulates people's positive attitude and spiritual outlook towards life. As an important part of the traditional culture of the Han nationality, the last nine festivals have high cultural value and historical significance. We should dig deeper into the culture of this festival.
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