1. The historical origin of the sting
The word sting first appeared in the Western Han Dynasty in the "Seventy-two Candidate Explanations of the Moon Order", but in this book, the meaning of stinging is only the growth activities of insects and birds in spring. With the passage of time, the solar term of stinging has been given a richer connotation.
In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty added more meanings about life and rest to the sting in "Filial Piety Jingwei", for example, it is mentioned in the book that the insects and birds dormant in spring will begin to break out of their shells and start a new life again after the sting. This further expresses the rebirth and continuation of life represented by the sting.
The Tang Dynasty's "Xia Xiaozheng" also mentions the solar term of the sting, and the book believes that on the day of the sting, the weather is warm and the sun is shining, marking the beginning of the recovery and growth of all things. This has also become a common perception of the word sting.
In the Song Dynasty, the history of the solar term was more valued, and Zhu Xi of the Southern Song Dynasty wrote in the poem "Reading Books": "The spring thunder sounds, and everything grows." This poem also vividly depicts the scene of spring.
In the Ming Dynasty, the solar term of stinging was summarized more perfectly, and "Wang Mingyang's Complete Book" said: "Stinging, shaking also." Things are born and shaken, and the stinging insects are frightened and run away. This shows that on the day of the sting, the thunder rumbles, and the sound of spring thunder brings life revelation to dormant animals and insects, and also indicates the arrival of the new year.
In modern times, with the development of science and technology and people's understanding of natural science, the historical meaning of the solar term has gradually become a cultural symbol, which is understood and accepted by more people.
Second, the climatic characteristics of the sting
During the sting, the temperature in most parts of the country has risen significantly, the rain has increased, and the climate has become humid. The temperature in some areas in the south will even soar to about 20 degrees, while the temperature in the north will also warm up significantly, and the average temperature will be higher than some time ago.
In terms of rainfall, the rainfall is abundant during the sting, and in some areas the rainfall even reaches the highest point of spring. Although the rain is abundant, it is not as violent as the thunderstorms in spring, and most of it is a light drizzle, bringing a fresh and pleasant climate to the people.
In addition, the stinging weather is accompanied by changes in the wind. Spring is the season when the wind changes frequently, and the sting period is no exception. The southwest, northwest, and northeast winds alternate in various directions, allowing people to enjoy the warmth and humidity while feeling the soothing and changing effects of the wind.
3. The customs and habits of stinging
It is one of the 24 solar terms, representing the beginning of spring, and it plays an important role in China's agricultural production and life. Here are some of the traditional customs of stinging:
- Spring ploughing:
It is an important agricultural festival that is usually used to plant new crops with a spring ploughing ceremony. In China, the sting is the third of the 24 solar terms, and it marks the official beginning of spring. In ancient China, the sting was regarded as an important festival, and many traditional customs and activities were associated with it.
In terms of agricultural production, the arrival of the sting also means the arrival of spring, and farmers begin to prepare for planting seeds and start agricultural production in the new year. This solar term also reminds people to cherish the good times of spring, because spring is the season when all things grow and multiply.
In addition, the stinging climate also affects people's lives. After a long winter, people were expecting warm sunshine and a humid climate, and the arrival of the sting fulfilled those expectations, bringing warm sunshine, fresh and humid air, and a vision of rejuvenation. People began to enjoy the breath of spring, go out for hiking, outdoor sports, and feel the power of life in nature.
To sum up, it plays an important role in China's agricultural production and life, which not only provides farmers with a basis for farming, but also adds vitality to people's lives.
In this hopeful spring, the spring ploughing ceremony is an indispensable part. During this ceremony, the farmers will sing and laugh together to celebrate this new beginning. Farmers would put on turbans, carry farm tools on their backs, and set out along the fields. They will first pray for good weather and fertile land. Then, together, they would turn the land with a shovel and bring the fields back to life.
This ritual is not just a tradition, but a continuation of a way of life. Through this ritual, the peasants expressed their love for the land and their reverence for life. At the same time, it is also a transmission of faith, so that future generations can remember this important moment, cherish the land and love life.
- Hit the villain:
It is a traditional folk activity that is usually performed on the day of the sting, meaning to ward off evil spirits and bad luck in order to pray for peace and good luck.
The ritual of beating the villain is usually held in a quiet place, such as a temple or in the wilderness. First, participants are asked to prepare items that symbolize evil spirits and bad luck, such as straw figures, stones, wooden boards, etc. They need to stand in front of the straw man with a tool or ** in their hands, such as a stick or stone, and hit the straw man hard.
During this process, participants must chant mantras and sing prayer songs to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. These mantras and songs are often passed down from local religious beliefs and folk tales. At the same time, participants will also express their anger and dissatisfaction with evil spirits, hoping to drive away evil spirits and gain inner peace and tranquility.
It should be noted that the ritual of beating villains is a folk belief and custom that lacks scientific evidence to support it. We should approach it with a rational and scientific attitude, respecting everyone's beliefs and cultural backgrounds. At the same time, we should also pay attention to protecting the environment and animals, and cherish and protect our common home.
- Sacrifice to the White Tiger:
This is a traditional custom in Guangdong, where people pray for the blessing of the white tiger on the day of the sting to ward off evil spirits and avoid disasters.
Sacrificing the white tiger is an ancient traditional ritual that is considered a deity in Chinese folk belief to ward off evil spirits and ward off disasters. The ancients believed that the white tiger was a brave beast with the ability to protect the house and drive away evil spirits. Therefore, on the day of the White Tiger, people hold sacrificial ceremonies to pray for the blessings of the White Tiger.
In the ritual of sacrificing the white tiger, people will put a white tiger portrait or shrine at home, offer white rice, peanuts, melon seeds and other food, and burn incense and pray. In some places, sacrifices such as chickens, fish, and meat are also worshipped. After the sacrifice is completed, the sacrifice is eaten for the blessing of the white tiger.
The tradition of sacrificing the white tiger has different forms and customs in different places. In Jinhua, Zhejiang, people will hang a paper statue of the white tiger in front of the door on the day of the White Tiger Festival, and tie a huge white tiger model with straw to pray for the exorcism of evil spirits and safety. In Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, people will put white rice in bamboo tubes and hang it in front of the door, symbolizing the arrival of the white tiger god and blessing the family's health.
Although the ritual of sacrificing the white tiger has gradually decreased, its influence and significance in people's hearts are still far-reaching. It reminds people to maintain a brave and resolute spirit in life, dare to face difficulties and challenges, and also expresses people's yearning and pursuit of peace and happiness.
- Eat pears:
This is a custom in the north, and people will eat pears on the day of the sting, which means parting from winter and welcoming spring.
In traditional Chinese culture, eating pears is an allegorical act. First of all, pear is homophonic for "leaving", which means separation, parting. Ancient literati and writers often used "pear" to express their thoughts of the deceased in order to express deep emotions.
In addition, the shape of the pear is mostly round, which symbolizes reunion and happiness. Therefore, eating pears also means that the family is reunited and happy. At the same time, the juice of pears is rich and sweet, which also represents the sweetness and beauty of enjoying life. Therefore, eating pears is also a good blessing during traditional festivals.
- Wear a dragon tail hat:
Dragon-tailed hats are worn on the day of the sting to pray for peace and good luck.
Fourth, the traditional food of stinging
During the sting season, there are many traditional foods, and they vary from place to place.
In the southern part of China, the stinging diet is mainly glutinous rice balls, sugarcane and pineapple. Glutinous rice balls symbolize reunion and symbolize the arrival of spring; Sugarcane represents sweetness, meaning a good life in the new year; Jackapples are because of jackfruit"Honey"The word means that life is as sweet as honey.
In the north, the stinging diet is more of a seasonal dish. For example, braised spring bamboo shoots in oil, leek boxes and braised pork ribs are all quite distinctive foods. There is also a kind of food in the stunting diet is mash wine, which is also known as spring wine, which can be used to remove poison and avoid evil.
Fifth, during the sting period, people's health care methods
There are many ways for people to maintain health care in this solar term, and here are some common suggestions:
1.Go to bed early and wake up early: Follow the natural law, go to bed early and wake up early can help improve the body's immunity and physical functions, and ensure adequate sleep time.
2.It is recommended to choose light and easy-to-digest, protein-rich and vitamin-rich foods, such as lean meat, chicken, fish, soy products, fresh vegetables, etc., which will help nourish the liver and enhance physical fitness.
3.Proper exercise: In the spring season, proper outdoor exercise can help stretch muscles and bones, promote blood circulation, and improve cardiopulmonary function. You can choose light exercise methods such as walking, jogging, and tai chi to avoid excessive sweating caused by strenuous exercise.
4.Pay attention to disease prevention: The temperature fluctuates greatly during the sting, which is easy to cause colds and respiratory diseases. Attention should be paid to indoor ventilation, maintaining appropriate indoor humidity, personal hygiene, washing hands frequently, and wearing masks to reduce the risk of infection.
5.Maintain emotional stability: Spring is prone to mood swings, so you should try to maintain an optimistic and positive attitude to reduce the impact of negative emotions such as anger and anxiety, which is conducive to physical and mental health.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to do a good job of health care and maintain good health during the sting.
6. The modern significance of the sting
These traditional customs and activities are an important part of traditional Chinese culture, rich in a strong sense of life, and contain profound cultural connotations.
In modern society, the sting not only represents the return of spring to the earth and the revival of all things, but also symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
For individuals, the sting reminds us to cherish every new opportunity, like a spring thunder that awakens a hibernation insect, to break old habits and move forward positively. It reminds us to maintain our love of life and feel everything around us with our hearts, just like insects begin to search for food in the warm sunlight and create a better future of their own.
At the social level, it reminds us to pay attention to environmental protection and sustainable development, actively respond to the challenge of climate change, and protect our common home. Let us feel the meaning of the sting from the depths of our hearts like insects, and welcome the arrival of spring together.
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