In rural China, when the Spring Festival is approaching, there is a custom full of life - killing New Year's pigs. This custom is not only a celebration of a good harvest, but also a prayer for good luck in the new year. It is a blend of folk beliefs, village life and traditional customs, and is an integral part of the Chinese New Year season.
The custom of killing pigs in the New Year originated in ancient agrarian societies. In those days, pigs were the main property of rural families, and pigs were killed before the Spring Festival to stock up on meat for the winter. Over time, the custom evolved into a way to celebrate a good harvest and pray for good luck.
In rural areas, the day of killing pigs is usually between the 23rd and 25th day of the 12th lunar month. The weather is cold during this time period, and the pork is not easy to spoil. The villagers prepare in advance, some are responsible for boiling hot water, some are preparing whetstones, and some are responsible for collecting pig blood. When everything is ready, the butcher begins to slaughter the pigs.
The butchers are usually served by experienced people from the village who are skilled in slaughtering techniques. The whole process is solemn and sacred, as the villagers believe that slaughtering the pig will bring good luck. During the slaughter process, the butcher prays to the ancestors to bless their families with good harvests.
The butcher first kills the pig and then puts it in hot water to scald the hair. After scalding, the butcher will use a sharp knife to cut the pork into pieces. Pork is divided into parts such as the head, body, and legs, which are used separately in different dishes. After the division is completed, the host family will distribute the pork to relatives, friends and neighbors so that they can share in the joy of the harvest.
In addition to material sharing, the custom of killing pigs in the New Year also carries rich cultural significance. During the distribution of pork, people would send each other blessings and wish each other health, happiness and success in the new year. These blessings convey people's concern and blessings for each other, and also strengthen the cohesion and spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance in the rural community.
In addition, the custom of killing pigs in the New Year is also closely related to folk beliefs. In the countryside, it is believed that the slaughter of the pig will ward off bad luck and bring good luck and happiness. Therefore, during the slaughtering process, they will perform some special rituals, such as setting off firecrackers, burning incense to worship their ancestors, etc., to pray for the protection of their ancestors and to bless their families with safety and well-being.
Nowadays, with the acceleration of urbanization and the change of modern lifestyles, the custom of killing pigs in the New Year has gradually lost its former prosperity. However, in some rural areas, this tradition is still preserved. For local residents, killing pigs in the New Year is not only a custom, but also a nostalgia for traditional rural life and the inheritance of ancestral culture.
Through the custom of killing pigs in the New Year, we can get a glimpse of the unique charm and rich connotation of Chinese rural culture. This custom not only shows the style of rural life, but also conveys people's gratitude for a good harvest and yearning for a better life. In the context of the new era, we should cherish this cultural heritage, strive to inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and let it shine in world cultural exchanges. How much do you know about the encyclopedia of the year