The Zhonghe Festival
The Zhonghe Festival
The Zhonghe Festival, also known as the Dragon Raising Its Head Festival, falls on the second day of the second lunar month. It is a traditional Chinese festival with a series of unique customs, each carrying rich cultural meanings. Here are some of the main customs:
1. Haircutting (剃头)
One of the most popular customs on the Zhonghe Festival is getting a haircut, often referred to as “剃龙头 (tì lóng tóu)” which literally means “shaving the dragon’s head”. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power, auspiciousness, and good luck. People believe that getting a haircut on this day can bring good fortune and prosperity throughout the year. It is especially thought to be beneficial for children, as it is said to help them grow up healthy and strong. Many barbershops are busy on this day, with people lining up to get a fresh haircut.
2. Eating Dragon-related Foods (吃与龙相关的食物)
On the Zhonghe Festival, people often eat foods that are given names related to the dragon to show their respect and hope for the dragon’s blessing. For example, eating dumplings is called “eating dragon’s ears (吃龙耳 - chī lóng ěr)” because of their shape. Spring pancakes are compared to “dragon’s scales (吃龙鳞 - chī lóng lín)” as they are round and thin like scales. Noodles are referred to as “dragon’s whiskers (吃龙须 - chī lóng xū)” due to their long and thin appearance. By consuming these foods, people hope to gain the dragon’s power and protection.
3. Beating the Corners (打囤)
In some rural areas, there is a custom of “beating the corners” or “drawing circles with ashes”. People use wood ashes or lime to draw large circles on the ground, especially in the courtyard or around the granary. These circles are often accompanied by a small indentation in the middle, which is filled with grains such as wheat, corn, or beans. This is believed to symbolize filling the granary and ensuring a bumper harvest in the coming year. It is a way for farmers to express their hopes for a prosperous and abundant agricultural season.
4. Avoiding Needlework (忌针线)
Women traditionally avoid doing needlework on the Zhonghe Festival. It is said that this is to prevent accidentally hurting the dragon’s eyes. Since the dragon is considered a divine and powerful creature, people show their respect by refraining from activities that might cause any harm to it. This custom reflects the deep-rooted respect for the dragon in Chinese traditional culture and the belief in the connection between human actions and the well-being of the mythical creature.
5. Illuminating with Candles (照房梁)
There is also a custom of illuminating the house with candles, especially the beams and corners of the rooms. The saying “二月二，照房梁，蝎子蜈蚣无处藏 (èr yuè èr, zhào fáng liáng, xiē zi wú gōng wú chù cáng)” means that on the second day of the second lunar month, when illuminating the beams, scorpions and centipedes will have nowhere to hide. People believe that the light from the candles can drive away pests and evil spirits, creating a clean and safe living environment. This custom combines the hope for a pest-free home with the symbolic power of light to dispel darkness.
These customs of the Zhonghe Festival not only showcase the unique cultural traditions of the Chinese nation but also carry people’s good wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous life.