Dragon Head Festival, also known as "Dragon Head-raising Festival", "Green Dragon Festival" and "Spring Dragon Festival", is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. It is held on the second day of the second lunar month. According to folklore, the day when the Dragon King of Cloud and Rain raises his head is in charge, which means that the rain will come after this. Some people think that "the head of the dragon" refers to the awakening of insects in the early spring: as the saying goes, "On February 2, the dragon raises its head, and the scorpion and centipede show their heads." In traditional Chinese tradition, Fuxi and Nuwa Taihao mausoleum temple fairs (also known as human beings) are worshipped. Ancestral Temple Fair) starts on the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar. [1]
"On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head", it is said that on the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, the dragon king, the god of rain, raised his head. It means that there will be more rain in the future, which is conducive to farming. One theory is that the Dragon King misses the loss of his daughter, so he always looks up from the bottom of the sea on the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, looking at the direction of the lost daughter, and expressing his thoughts.
As the "Dragon Raises its Head", it officially began on the second day of February in the Yuan Dynasty. "Analysis of Jin Zhi" records: "February 2nd is called the Dragon Raises its Head" [2]. The festival became popular in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Pan Rongbi of the Qing Dynasty recorded in "Ji Sheng at the Age of Emperor Jing":
2. Avoid laundry: In some places, washing clothes on this day may damage the dragon's skin.
In the Yuan Dynasty, "the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar" was associated with "the head of the dragon". The "Analysis of Jin Zhi", which describes the customs of Yanjing in the Yuan Dynasty, mentioned that "on February 2, it is said that the dragon raises its head". On this day, it is popular to eat noodles, such as "Dragon Beard Noodles"; pancakes, which are called "Dragon Scales"; and dumplings, which are called "Dragon Ears". After the Ming Dynasty, the customs of "smoked insects" and "fried beans" were added on February 2. "Emperor Beijing Scenery" said: "On February 2, the dragon raises its head… smoke the bed kang, and smoke the worms, so that the dragons and insects will not come out." [5] The local people believe that when the dragon raises its head, all the insects will wake up, and the ancients will This day I smoked the bed, hoping that the worms would be driven away, and that the worms could continue to hide in the cave and not come out.
According to the "Daxing County Annals" in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, "On February 2, every family's meat and vegetable cakes are cooked with oil and eaten, and they are called smoked insects." "Yanjing Sui Shi Ji" in the late Qing Dynasty records: "On February 2… today's people It is called the dragon raising its head. Those who eat solar eclipse cakes call them dragon scale cakes, and those who eat noodles call them dragon beard noodles. Needlework is stopped in boudoirs, for fear of hurting the dragon’s eyes.” At this time, not only cakes and noodles are eaten, women are not allowed to do needlework Live, afraid of dragon eyes. In addition to eating noodles, this festival is extended to guide Fengshui to a good day. It is recorded in "Wanshu Miscellaneous People" in the Qing Dynasty: "People call "Dragon Raises its Head" on February 2. The water tank is called to lead the dragon back." Pray for good weather.
During the period of the Republic of China, there was a folk custom on February 2: "On February 2, it is commonly known as the dragon raising its head. When you get up in the morning, you use a pole to knock on the beam, which is called knocking on the dragon's head. And steamed buns for breakfast. Women then shaved their heads every day, and Gai Qulong raised his head to express his thoughts.”[6]
On the second day of the second lunar month in Taiwan, it is said that this day is the birthday of the Lord of the Earth. You can go outing to pray for blessings, seek wealth, and eat a lot of food for good luck;
But in folklore, be careful to violate two taboos:
1. Avoid needlework: Needlework is done on this day. According to legend, the Canglong will look up at the world on this day, and needlework will stab the dragon's eyes.
The customs and sayings of the dragon raising its head are different in different places. Some places believe that this day is the end of the lunar year, and they will pay New Year greetings before this day; some places believe that when the dragon raises its head, the insects will wake up, and the ancients will fumigate the bed on this day. The worm was driven away, hoping that the worm could continue to hide in the cave and not come out. In addition, there are related eating customs when the dragon raises its head.
Spring rolls and moist pancakes have skins like cicada wings and dragon scales; they can eat pancakes like scallion pancakes, which means "dragon skin".
Noodles imply "dragon beard noodles". The ingredients are not particular, but it is emphasized that they are like hair noodles. In some places, wontons are added to the meeting. The wonton noodles are like "dragon playing with pearls", which is a symbol of auspiciousness.
Dumplings, dumplings are shaped like ears, so some people eat dumplings as "dragon ears".
In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, some people fried meat or plain noodle pancakes, implying "eating gentian". The ancients called this food "smoke insects", echoing the hope of driving away insects.
The second day of the second month of the lunar calendar is between the solar terms of "rain", "waking of insects" and "spring equinox", so it is the day when the dragon ascends to heaven. Today there is a dragon praying activity to pray for a good harvest.
Numerologist Yang Dengyu said that there are some ways of good luck in the past custom of "dragon raising its head" today. The following are the 8 customs of good luck today:
Further reading…
1. Shaving the dragon's head: On the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, take advantage of the dragon king's joy to help children shave their heads, shaving the old and ushering in the new "happy head". ) shave their heads, so that children can stand out after shaving their heads; adults shave their heads at an auspicious time on that day, so that they can get good luck.
2. Yinlong money: This year "Caibo Xing" South, prepare an empty water bottle, put 268 yuan coins (formerly teaching New Taiwan dollars) in the bottle, go to the water dispenser near the bank near the home or work to fill the water bottle, fill the water bottle, and bring the water all the way home or Company, which means that the dragon follows the water trail to lead to the home or company; then add the remaining water to the faucet water of the home or company, fill up the bottle, which represents a fortune dragon water, which can attract a lot of wealth water, and then put it diagonally in the living room of the gate , Tibetan wind gathers Qi "Gathering Wealth Position", put it for 49 days, the wealth energy can fly like a dragon soaring into the sky, and the fortune will come.
3. Eating pork head meat: Eating pig head meat on the day when the dragon raises its head is a symbol of "picking the dragon's head", so eating pig head meat can be a big hit.
4. Eating noodles: The noodles are one by one, like a dragon's beard. Eating noodles every day when the dragon raises its head symbolizes that Fulong's beard can live a long life.
5. Eating dumplings: The dumplings are made like ears, and the dragon eats dumplings every day when he raises his head, which is called eating dragon ears. He can listen to all directions and attract nobles from all directions.
February 21, 2023 is the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar. In traditional customs, the day of "dragon raises its head". According to folklore, the dragon king is in charge of clouds and rain. , so the ancients attached great importance to it today.
The customs and sayings of the dragon raising its head are different in different places. Some places believe that this day is the end of the lunar year, and they will pay New Year greetings before this day; some places believe that when the dragon raises its head, the insects will wake up, and the ancients will fumigate the bed on this day. The worm was driven away, hoping that the worm could continue to hide in the cave and not come out. In addition, there are related eating customs when the dragon raises its head.
Further reading…
In February, the dragon looks up丨Besides cutting your hair, what else can you do on this day?
Some places eat "spring pancakes", spring rolls, and moist pancakes, whose skin is like cicada wings and shaped like dragon scales; pancakes like scallion pancakes are eaten, implying "dragon skin".
It means "dragon beard noodles". The ingredients are not particular, but it is emphasized that they are like hair noodles. In some places, wontons are added to the meeting. The wonton noodles are like "dragon playing with pearls", which is a symbol of auspiciousness.
Dumplings are shaped like ears, so some people eat them as "dragon ears".
Pig's head has always been a must-have offering for the ancients to worship the gods. After asking the gods to enjoy it, they eat it by themselves. It is called "eating dragon head", hoping for good luck and happy events.
In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, some people fried meat or plain noodle pancakes, implying "eating gentian". The ancients called this food "smoke insects", echoing the hope of driving away insects.
According to legend, the human world violated the taboo of heaven, which made the Jade Emperor furious and ordered no rain for three years. The people of Dragon King She were starved and rained, so they were punished to go down to earth and suffer. The only condition for returning to heaven is that "golden beans bloom". Running around trying to find a way, someone accidentally discovered that the corn was being exposed to the sun to look like golden beans. The golden beans were fried and turned into popcorn. .
Needlework is done on this day, and it is said that the Canglong will look up at the world on this day, and using needlework will stab the dragon's eyes.
Some places wash clothes on this day, thinking that it may damage the dragon's skin.
The 16th day of the twelfth lunar month is "Wei Ya", and "Head Ya" is the second day of the second lunar month. According to legend, it is the day when the Lord of the Land "takes office", and sometimes it is the birthday of the Lord of the Land. Therefore, on this day, you can bring carrot cake, pineapple, orange, and apple to worship the Lord of the Earth, and ask him to bless your career and wealth, and you can.