The Origin Story of Zhejiang Traditional Customs

The story of the origin of Zhejiang traditional customs;

Houshan Peach Blossom Festival: Houshan is a famous scenic spot in Shaoxing County with beautiful scenery, located in Gaobu Town, Shaoxing. Houshan is one of the representatives of Shaoxing stone culture, and its main attractions are: marble, residual water swing, smoke basket cave, elephant nose rock and so on. Zhang Dai in the Ming Dynasty wrote a poem: "Who carved ghosts and gods, but it turned out to be residual water?" . The humanistic landscape of Houshan has a long history, including the original ancient Yue kiln site in the Spring and Autumn Period. Gou Jian, the King of Yue, used to keep dogs and hunt deer here, and many cliff stone carvings left outstanding poems of literati in past dynasties. Every year, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom, the "Roaring Mountain Peach Blossom Festival" is held to let tourists feel the pleasure of "enjoying the peach blossoms and climbing mountains to see the strange stones".

Marquee: Marquee is also called "Marquee" and "Marquee". Lantern, modeled after the shape of a horse, is made of paper paste, also known as "bamboo lantern". It is divided into two parts: the horse's head and the horse's body, which are tied around the dancer's belly and walk like a horse, commonly known as "the horse's head army". Generally, there are 8 horses, including 6 white horses and 2 red horses. Around the Lantern Festival, most of the urban areas were composed of boys aged 10 to 13. Every boy has a piece of paper tied to the horse's head on his chest and a small bell hanging on his chest. There is a piece of paper tied to the ponytail behind him and tied to his body with a belt. When he runs, he can swing up and down, jingle bells and hold a bamboo pole as a whip. At night, light a candle between the horse's head and the ponytail. During the performance, one or two children will play the role of stable boy, gather cavalry and take part in the performance. The children sang while running, and formed various formations such as "triangle", "chain" and "scissors" with the dance movements. The band played in unison and the tune was melodious. Most lanterns are performed in the open space in front of the house or on the nave. After the performance, the host sent oranges, fried rice, candles and so on. And money and silver medals. In Qing Dynasty, there was a poem in Guo Zhongyue, which said, "Sing Happy New Year and the whole city will compete for the Lantern Festival. Dragons roll at dusk, and the fire tree and silver flowers can't burn out. "

Wushan Temple Fair: Wushan Temple Fair is one of the largest and oldest temple fairs in Hangzhou. In memory of Wu Zixu, a doctor of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, since the establishment of the first Wugong Temple, the number of temples and temples has been increasing for more than 2,000 years, covering almost a dozen hills and foothills such as Ziyang, Yunju, Qibao and Emei in Wu Shan, hence the name "Wu Shan 72 Temple". These temples are extremely complex and have many different folk gods to worship. Can be roughly divided into the following categories:

The gods of historical figures: in addition to the "Wugong Temple", there is also the "City God Temple" to commemorate Zhou Xin, the "iron-faced empire" of the Ming Dynasty; "Shiquan Temple" commemorates the traitor Qin Gui who was assassinated in the Southern Song Dynasty. The gods in myths and legends: temples, old temples, temples, temples, temples; There are also the Longwang Temple, the Sea Temple, the Thunder Temple, the Wind Temple, the Fire Temple and the Tai Sui Temple (offering 60 stars). The gods worshipped by Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism: Wenchang Temple of Confucianism, etc. Buddhist Haihui Temple, Bao Yue Temple, Qibao Temple, Baocheng Temple, Ninjuji, etc. Taoist views on Sanmao, Tong Yuan and Sanxian Pavilion.

There are not only independent temples in Hangzhou, but also temples moved from other places in Wu Shan, such as Huiying Temple moved from Henan and Zitong Temple moved from Sichuan.

Wushan temple fair, with four distinct seasons, has its own characteristics. From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the 18th day of the first month, most people who go up the mountain are Hangzhou natives. In order to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year, they seek good luck for one year. In February and March, pilgrims from Hangjiahu flooded into Hang Cheng and finally went to Wu Shan to make pilgrimages. Dragon Boat Festival, Long Summer and other festivals, as well as holidays from all walks of life, will also go to Wu Shan to catch the temple fair. In addition, there are temple fairs for Bodhisattva's birthday.

In the old society, besides burning incense and worshiping Buddha, there were fortune-telling kiosks, fortune-telling kiosks and word-measuring kiosks all over the foot of the mountain. In addition, there are vendors selling calligraphy and painting, stage plays at temple fairs, singing ditty, juggling, acrobatics, selling flowers and shooting birds, and setting up stalls around temple fairs and along mountain roads. People often "leave when they hear the wind and return with full load" when they rush to the temple fair. In particular, shops in Qinghefang area at the foot of Wu Shan, such as Hu Qingyutang, Kong, Fang and Zhuangyuan Building, are doing well.

Pilgrimage: Jinhua has been the cultural center of Jiangnan since it became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, with splendid culture and developed religious culture.

Legend has it that Jin Huashan, the blessed land in the 36th hole, is the place where Wong Tai Sin, son of Pinus densiflora, practiced ascension. This overseas Chinese immortal, who is famous for his responsive treatment and disaster relief, not only has many followers in the mainland, but also spreads incense to Hong Kong, Macao, Southeast Asia, North America and other places. Fangyan Temple Fair has a history of thousands of years. Millennium Buddhist Temple, Yiwu Shuanglin Temple, Hua Xian Zhao Lin Palace, Dongyang Guanyin City and other temples also have a long history.