Folk customs With the passage of time, we have ushered in the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, which marks the end of the traditional first month. In China's rich cultural traditions, each day has its own specific customs and meanings, and this is also true on the 24th day of the first lunar month. This article will ** the customs that people follow on this particular day, which not only reflect China's profound cultural heritage, but also carry people's good wishes for the future.
The traditional customs of the 24th day of the first lunar month
Hit the granary
In some parts of the north, especially Hebei, there is a tradition of hitting the granary on the 24th day of the first lunar month. In the early morning or evening of the same day, family members will beat the containers in which the grain is stored with wooden sticks, an act that symbolizes that the granary has been sorted out and prepared, and that new grain can be stored in the silos. This custom reflects the expectation of a good harvest and a good vision of life in an agricultural society.
Welcome to the Fa Miao Fairy Mother
On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, there is a custom of welcoming the Fa Miao Immortal Mother in some areas, especially in some areas in the south. The Fa Miao Fairy Mother is regarded as a deity who protects people's safety. Legend has it that a long time ago, a ship full of passengers was in distress at sea, and an old man prayed for the help of the Fa Miao Immortal Mother, and finally the ship miraculously reached the shore safely, and since then the worship of the Fa Miao Immortal Mother has spread among the people. Welcome the Fa Miao Fairy Mother, which aims to bring peace and good luck to the community.
Swap peach blossoms
In Chaoyang and other places, there is also the custom of exchanging peach blossoms on the 24th day of the first lunar month. People hold peach blossoms in their hands, go to local temples to exchange them, and then offer their newly obtained peach blossoms to the gods to pray for peace and prosperity throughout the year. The peach blossom symbolizes vitality and new beginnings in Chinese culture, and through this ritual, it is hoped that it will bring new hope and energy.
The taboo of the twenty-fourth day of the first month
On this day, there are also some behaviors to avoid in order to guarantee that unlucky things will happen in the new year. For example, avoid using unlucky words such as "death", "sickness", etc., as it is believed that words have some power and that unlucky words can have a bad effect. In addition, it is taboo to sweep the floor and splash water outside to avoid the outflow of wealth. At the same time, the use of knives should be avoided to avoid bringing bad luck symbols.
Conclusion
The custom of the 24th day of the first lunar month reflects the Chinese people's love for life and good wishes for the future. These traditional customs are not only a commemoration of the past, but also an expectation and blessing for the future. Through these customs, people express their love for their families and communities, as well as the pursuit of a better life. In modern society, although lifestyles have changed dramatically, these traditions are still cherished by many families and communities, and they not only deepen the understanding of Chinese culture, but also strengthen the connection between people.