Dragon Heads-raising Day，Chinese traditional festivals. 龙抬头，中国的传统节日

Yesterday was the second day of the 2nd lunar month, in the Chinese folk proverb "on February 21, the dragon head", said the spring coming, all things recovery, sting the dragon started activities, predicted a year of farming activity is about to begin.
昨天是农历二月初二，在中国民间有“二月二，龙抬头”的谚语，表示春季来临，万物复苏，蛰龙开始活动，预示一年的农事活动即将开始。

The dragon has a very high status in the hearts of Chinese people, not only the auspicious things, but also the master of weathering rain. In the sky "dragon head up" while, spring also slowly came to the world, the rain also will rise. At this time, the 100 insects begin to wake up, the earth return green, spring ploughing from south to north began. "February 2, dragon head up; The great storehouse full, small cang flow ", put on the people to bless the dragon blessing, protect the strong desire of the wind and rain, wugu fengdeng. Therefore, February 2 is also known as "spring ploughing festival", "farming festival", "spring dragon festival", is the han folk traditional festival.
龙在中国人的心目中有着极高的地位，不仅是祥瑞之物，更是和风化雨的主宰。天上“龙抬头”的同时，春天也慢慢来到了人间，雨水也会多起来。此时节，百虫开始苏醒，大地返青，春耕从南到北陆续开始。民谚“二月二，龙抬头；大仓满，小仓流”，寄托了人们祈龙赐福，保佑风调雨顺、五谷丰登的强烈愿望。因此，二月二又被称为“春耕节”、“农事节”、“春龙节”，是汉族民间传统节日。

The origin of the festival can be traced back to the period of yao and shun, and the legend has it that the father, emperor ku (emperor jun), had four princesses, namely Jiang yuan, Jian di, an Chang yi, and Qing du. The status of the original was the lowest, but since the birth of a son, people have looked at each other. Qing has always been worried about her son. Someone told her that the temple of god is very efficacious, so long as it is sincere, it is not impossible. According to the witch, after supper on the Lantern Festival, go to the temple to put the offerings, and then respectfully kowtowed three heads, hands together 10, pray the gods to give the son.
节日来源可以追溯到尧舜时期，传说尧王的父亲帝喾（帝俊）共有四个王妃：姜嫄（jiāng yuán）、简狄（jiǎn dí）、庆都、常仪。本来常仪的地位最低，可自从生了儿子，众人就另眼相看了。庆都一直为没有儿子烦恼。有人告诉她，神母庙求子很灵验，只要真心实意，没有不成的。庆都照女巫说的，在元宵节的晚饭后，去庙里摆上供品，然后恭恭敬敬地磕了仨头，双手合十，祈求神灵赐子。

"Said the two. There was a great drought, and the people lived in distress. There was a red dragon in the sky, and saw the sad situation of the world, and there was pity, and there was a rain in private. When the jade emperor knew this, he put the red dragon under a mountain. The people asked for love, and the jade emperor said, "unless the golden beans blossom." On the second day of February, I did not know where to come from an old mother, a strong cry: "sell the golden beans!" People wonder, buy home to see, it is some beans. The beans were Fried in the pan and crackled. The jade emperor knew that he had to release the red dragon and demolish it.
话分两头说。有年大旱，百姓生活困苦。天上有条赤龙，看见人间的凄惨境况，产生了怜悯之心，私下里下了一场雨。这事被玉皇大帝知道了，就把赤龙压在了一座山底下。百姓为赤龙求情，玉皇大帝发话说：“除非金豆子开花。”到了二月二这天，不知从哪里来了个老妈妈，一个劲地喊：“卖金豆子！”人们很纳闷，买回家一看，是些黄豆。这些黄豆放在锅里一炒，噼里啪啦地开了花。玉帝得知，只得把那条赤龙放了出来，贬下凡间。

When Qing had asked for her son from the temple of god, she looked forward to good news every day. One night, she dreamt that a red dragon was following, and she was pregnant. In the second year of the second year, first the thunder, then the sun. A golden light shone in the courtyard, and the child was born, and the name was decorated, and the latter was the king of Yao. He was very clever, and he was very fond of him since he was a child. When he grew up and became emperor, he worked with the people on the second day of the second month. Thus the custom of the emperor ploughed down. On the occasion of the New Year, the collection of the wooden version of the New Year painting, "the emperor grandfather made the bull", is from this.
庆都从神母庙求子后，就天天盼着好消息。一天夜里，她梦见一条赤龙追随，从此，就怀孕了。到了第二年的二月二，先是电闪雷鸣，后又艳阳高照。院子里一道金光照耀，孩子降生了，起名叫放勋，就是后来的尧王。放勋聪明伶俐，从小就惹人喜爱，长大当了帝王后，每到二月二这天，就同百姓一起耕田。帝王耕田的习俗就这样传了下来。每逢过年的时候，集上卖的木版年画，“皇帝爷爷使金牛”，就是由此而来。

In northern China, such a fairy tale is still popular. When Wu zetian became emperor, she angered the jade emperor and told the dragon king that he could not send rain to earth for three years. Not long after, the dragon king of the division of the tianhe heard the cries of the folk, saw the tragic scene of starving people, worried that the human life would be cut off, and then disobong the jade emperor's will, and brought a rain to the world. The jade emperor was informed that the dragon king had been laid down under a mountain to suffer a crime, and a monument on the mountain: "the rain of the dragon king of the sky, when the punishment of the fall of the world; If you want to get back on your feet, unless the beans are in bloom. To save the dragon king, people look everywhere for the golden beans. By the second day of the second lunar month, when people were sunning the corn seeds, they thought that the corn was like a golden bean. So every household popcorn, and set up a case of incense in the courtyard, for the flower "golden beans". (the legend is wrong. Wu zetian was a character in the Tang dynasty. Corn was introduced to China during the Ming dynasty. Where did the corn seeds come from?) When the dragon king looked up and saw that the people had saved him, he shouted to the jade emperor, "the golden beans are in bloom, let me out!" When the jade emperor saw that the golden bean flowers were open in every home, the emperor ordered the dragon king to return to heaven and continue to pour the rain into the world. From then on, the folk formed a habit, every February on the second day of the second day, the popcorn eat.
在中国北方民间还流传着这样一个神话故事。说武则天当上皇帝，惹恼了玉皇大帝，传谕四海龙王，三年内不得向人间降雨。不久，司管天河的龙王听见民间人家的哭声，看见饿死人的惨景，担心人间生路断绝，便违抗玉帝的旨意，为人间降了一次雨。玉帝得知，把龙王打下凡间，压在一座大山下受罪，山上立碑：“龙王降雨犯天规，当受人间千秋罪；要想重登灵霄阁，除非金豆开花时。”人们为了拯救龙王，到处找开花的金豆。到次年农历二月初二，人们正在翻晒玉米种子时，想到这玉米就像金豆，炒一炒开了花不就是金豆开花吗？于是家家户户爆玉米花，并在院子里设案焚香，供上开了花的“金豆”。（传说有误，武则天是唐朝时期人物，玉米是明朝才传入中国的，那时哪里来玉米种子？）　龙王抬头一看，知道百姓救它，便大声向玉帝喊道：“金豆开花了，快放我出去！”玉帝一看人间家家户户院里金豆花开放，只好传谕，诏龙王回到天庭，继续给人间兴云布雨。从此，民间形成习惯，每到二月初二这一天，就爆玉米花吃。

The first female emperor in Chinese history:Wu zetian
中国历史上第一个女皇帝：武则天

This kind of folk story of "heaven and earth" is the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancient working people. From another point of view, it also reflects the reality of ancient agriculture and the desire of the cultivator for good weather and good harvest.
这种“天上人间，融为一体”的民间故事，是古代劳动人民智慧的结晶；从另一个角度也反映出古代农业受天气制约的现实以及耕者渴望风调雨顺、五谷丰登的美好愿望。

However, according to the records, "February 2, dragon head" is related to ancient astronomy's understanding of the operation of stars and agricultural solar terms. In the ancient days, the astronomical patterns of the sky, in which 28 constellations were identified, were called 28. The ancients divided the 28 stars into four palaces, each with seven nights, according to their image, and attached four animals to the four. Among them, the east palace 7 is to imagine a giant dragon stretching from north to south, consisting of 30 stars. Star is relatively fixed, the location of the earth orbit makes the dragon constellation and when the sun is in the same direction, the light of the sun will drown out the stars, people will see that the dragon in the sky; After a period of time, the position of the earth moved, and the dragon constellation reappeared, and again, the ancient people discovered the rule and used it to judge the timing. When the first night of the east palace, known as the dragon's horn, appeared on the horizon, it was spring, so the ancients used it as a sign of spring. At this time, coinciding with the Chinese lunar February rain and solar term, thus produced "February 2, dragon head".
但据资料记载，“二月二，龙抬头”与古代天文学对星辰运行的认识和农业节气有关。古代天文学观天模式，在周天黄道确定28个星座，称为28宿。古人将这28个星宿按照东南西北分成4宫，每宫7宿，并按照它们的形象将4宫附会为4种动物。其中东宫7宿被想想象一条南北伸展的巨龙，由30颗恒星组成。恒星是相对不动的，当地球公转的位置使巨龙星座与太阳处在同一方向时，太阳的光芒就会淹没掉星光，人们就会看不到天上的那条巨龙；而过一段时间以后，地球的位置移动了，巨龙星座又会重新出现，周而复始，古人发现了这个规律，并以它来判断时令。当被称为“龙角”的东宫7宿的第一宿出现在地平线的时候，正值春天来临，所以，古人将它的出现作为春天到来的标志。此时，恰逢我国农历二月雨水节气前后，由此产生了“二月二，龙抬头”的说法。

On February 2, there are some traditional activities in different parts of China, which are basically the same. In the case of guangdong province, the day will be a day of shaving, dragon boat sailing and writing ceremony.
在二月二这天，中国各地方有一些传统活动，基本大同小异，就拿广东地区来说，这天要剃龙头、起龙船、开笔礼等。

Shaving is leading
Dragon look up and have to "shave head", the proverb says "February shave bibcock, one year has spirits", this is the day the streets of the barbershop, from dawn to dusk, bustling, children hair grow up to be somebody, adult hair cut in the New Year the smooth, people think that in this day shave hair, can make the person much luck, luck.
剃龙头
龙抬头，得“剃龙头”，民谚说“二月二剃龙头，一年都有精神头”，这一天街头巷尾的理发店，从早到晚，门庭若市，小孩理发长大出人头地，大人理发新的一年顺顺利利，人们认为在这一天剃头，会使人鸿运当头、福星高照。

The dragon boat
This dragon head, guangdong pearl river delta region will be a "dragon boat" activities, and they jumped into the water "dragon boat", cleaning the dragon boat, dragon of water, please try grilled dragon boat, people choose this day as the day of the traditional "dragon boat", is in order to show respect for the dragon boat, the people pray and wish everything goes well.
起龙船
在龙抬头这天，广东的珠三角地区会有“起龙船”的活动，众人跳入水中“起龙船”，请龙出水，清洗龙船，试扒龙船，人们选择这天作为传统“起龙船”的日子，是为了显示百姓对龙舟的尊重，以及祈求事事顺利的心愿。

To write one's first gift
"February 2, dragon head up, the dragon does not raise my head." In Chinese traditional custom, is from the good omen of dragon head, children's day on February, will be held to write one's first ritual, in the past more than Mr Xue students, in this day of "of", it is hoped that in this way, I wish every child grow up broken article to read.
开笔礼
“二月二，龙抬头，龙不抬头我抬头。”在中国的传统习俗里，为取龙抬头之吉兆，儿童在二月二这天，会举行“开笔礼”，过去私塾先生多在这一天收学生，谓之“占鳌头”，人们希望通过这种方式，祝愿每一个孩子长大后断文识字。

Separate the pork
As the custom of celebrating the festival, it will also be played on the day of the dragon's head. "Guangzhou fu zhi" quoted "panyu zhi" : "on February 2nd, the land will be held, and all the government offices and streets will be called to play music and entertainment." In the past, the pomp and circumstance of the society and the entertainment of the crowd were evident in these records.
分祭猪肉
分祭肉，聚众宴饮，奏乐欢娱，社祭作为民众欢聚节日的习俗，在龙抬头这天也会上演。《广州府志》引《番禺志》载：“二月二日土地会，大小衙署及街巷无不召梨园奏乐娱神。”昔日那祭社的盛况及人们聚众宴饮的欢娱场面，在这些记载中可见一斑。

Gun will
On the legend is the birthday of the land god, in the guangdong yangchun Dan hope town in hillock village, the local men and women, old and young with deafening firecrackers begged the good crop weather, the grain and make it plentiful and leading festival this custom has been called the "gun", in the local has followed for over four hundred years.
炮会
二月二传说是土地神的诞辰，在广东阳春市石望镇交岗村，当地男女老少会用震天的鞭炮祈求风调雨顺、五谷丰登，“龙头节”这一习俗被人们称作“炮会”，在当地已经沿袭了四百多年。

Prostitution section
Every year on February 2nd, dongguan dongkeng town will hold a grand festival celebration, people hold water guns, see people "shooting". Legend, "prostitution festival" is from the east village of pits or lip a surname lu, he in the second day the day of the 2nd lunar month posted hired farming long notice, since then, the formation of habits, not the young people of the field in the "February 2" this day, in front of the village pond lip on the fence, wearing a hat, wearing a cloth towels, in order to show "sex". The local people hope that through such a celebration, let the water of dongkeng sprinkle a good luck, bring back a good luck.
卖身节
每年的二月初二，东莞东坑镇都会举行隆重的“卖身节”节日庆典，大家手持水枪，见人就“开枪”。传说，“卖身节”是出自东坑塘唇村有一姓卢的大户，他在农历二月初二这一天贴出雇请农耕长工启事，自此之后，形成习惯，没有田地的青壮年都在“二月初二”这天，坐在塘唇村前的围篱上，头戴斗笠、身披粗布巾，以示“卖身”。当地人民都希望通过这样的庆祝活动，让东坑之水洒一身吉祥，带回去一身好运。

Dragon head up, how to eat?
Because people worship of the dragon, the dragon head up that cantonese eat food "dragon" word to touch "dragon gas", so the dragon-head-raising flavor food which were named "dragon", called "dragon beard noodles, bread called" noodles "dragon scales cake", dumplings, known as "dragon ear", rice called "give"... People hope to pray for a year of good weather.
龙抬头，怎么吃？
由于人们对龙的崇拜，龙抬头这天广东人要吃有“龙”字的食品来沾“龙气”，所以龙抬头风味食物大都以“龙”来命名，面条称作“龙须面”、面饼称作“龙鳞饼”、水饺称作“龙耳”、米饭称作“龙子”……人们希望以此祈求龙王保佑一年风调雨顺。

The ripening
The spring cake is called "dragon scale" on this day. Eating a spring cake called "eating the dragon scale" is very impressive, and a spring cake bigger than the palm of your hand is like a dragon scale.
春饼
春饼在这一天被叫做“龙鳞”。吃春饼叫做“吃龙鳞”是很形象的，一个比手掌大的春饼就像一片龙鳞。

popcorn
Because popcorn is like a golden bean, it is very popular to eat popcorn on the day of the dragon's head.
爆玉米花
因为玉米花像开花的金豆，所以在龙抬头这一天，人们爱吃爆玉米花来取得好意头。

Bath chap
In the past, the pig's head has been a sacrifice to ancestors and offerings to heaven. In the past, farmers killed years of pigs, mostly eating in the first month, "but the hoofs of the hoofs, so the day is cooked", people with the pig head sacrifice faucet, the pig head for the dragon head.
猪头肉
过去猪头一直是祭奠祖先、供奉上天的供品。过去农家杀年猪，多在正月里基本食尽，“惟余头蹄，于是日煮食之”，人们就以猪头祭龙头，食猪头为龙抬头。