The Dragon Head Festival, also known as the "Spring Dragon Festival" or "Green Dragon Festival", is one of the traditional festivals in China, mainly popular in northern China. The specific date of this festival is on the second day of the second lunar month, so it is also called "February 2nd". The Dragon Head Festival is a festival rich in folk characteristics, containing rich cultural connotations and unique customs.
There are various theories about the origin of the Dragon Head Festival, the most popular of which is related to ancient astronomy and farming culture. In ancient times, it was observed that when spring arrived, the Seven Nakshatras of Canglong (i.e., Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Kei) began to rise from the east, representing the recovery of yang energy and the revival of all things. Therefore, the ancients regarded this day as the day when the spring dragon woke up, and believed that it was the day when the dragon in charge of clouds and rain raised its head, so it was called the "Spring Dragon Festival" or "Green Dragon Festival".
**10,000 Powder Incentive Program In addition, the Dragon Head Festival is also related to water conservancy and farming activities in ancient times. In ancient times, dragons were believed to be the beasts in charge of rainwater, so it became an important folk activity to pray for the dragon's blessing of abundant rain and abundant crops at the beginning of spring ploughing.
1.Shave the faucet
On the day of the Dragon Head Festival, many people choose to go to the barber shop to shave their heads, which means to welcome a new beginning and hope to be refreshed and auspicious in the new year.
2.Sacrifice to the dragon
In some places, dragon worship ceremonies are held to pray for good weather and abundant harvests. These ceremonies usually include dragon dances, firecrackers, incense and other links, which are full of strong folk customs.
3.Eat dragon food
On the day of the Dragon Head Festival, people will eat some dragon-related foods, such as spring cakes, pig's head meat, dumplings, etc., which means celebrating with the dragon and praying for good luck. Among them, spring cakes are also known as "dragon scales", pig's head meat is called "dragon head", and dumplings are meant to be "fortune and treasure" because they resemble ingots.
4.Harvest dragon gas
On the day of the Dragon Head Festival, people believe that the morning air is the freshest, so they will wake up early and go outside to breathe in the fresh air, which means to collect dragon energy and welcome good luck.
5.Scatter ashes to lead the dragon
In some places, people will sprinkle plant ash in front of the door to form a straight line, symbolizing the guidance of the dragon into the home, bringing good luck and good fortune.
As one of the traditional festivals in China, the Dragon Head Festival not only carries rich cultural connotations and folk characteristics, but also reflects people's yearning and pursuit of a better life. Through a series of activities such as shaving the dragon's head, sacrificing the dragon, and eating dragon food, people pray for the dragon to bless the wind and rain, and the harvest of the five grains, and also express their good wishes and expectations for the new year. These customs not only enrich people's lives, but also inherit the cultural traditions of the Chinese nation.