What is the origin of the custom of releasing river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn? Why do we release river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn?
Introduction: China is an ancient country with a long history, and therefore many customs and traditional cultures were born there. And releasing river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn is one of these customs. So where does the custom of releasing river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn come from? Why do we release river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn? Let’s follow the editor to find out. The seventh month of the lunar calendar has arrived, and life is gradually entering a new mode. If you want to know more about the seventh month of the lunar calendar, please follow Mr. Shui Mo’s articles!What is the origin of the custom of releasing river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn? Why do we release river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn?Releasing river lanterns, also known as releasing lotus lanterns, is a kind of folk sacrificial and religious activity of the Han nationality, used to mourn deceased relatives and to bless the living.River lanterns are also called "lotus lanterns". Generally, a lamp or candle is placed on a base and placed in rivers, lakes or seas on the night of the Ghost Festival, allowing them to drift. The purpose of releasing river lanterns is to pray for the salvation of drowned ghosts and other wandering spirits in the water. A passage from Xiao Hong's "The Story of Hulan River" is the best footnote to this custom: "The 15th day of the seventh month is the Ghost Festival; the dead souls and resentful ghosts cannot be reborn, and are lingering in hell in great pain. They want to be reborn, but cannot find the way. If a dead ghost holds a river lantern on this day, he will be reborn." The Origin of River LanternsIn primitive society, due to the limitations of their understanding of nature, for a long time, the Han ancestors believed that fire was the source of all things and that fire was a totem to be worshipped, a symbol of auspiciousness and warmth, and a god that could overcome cold and hunger. In the fishing and hunting era, people sailed out to the sea and lakes to avoid the ravages of storms. When passing dangerous reefs or shoals or when the wind was strong and the waves were high, they used wooden boards and bamboo to weave small boats, put offerings in them, lit candles, made sails and lanterns out of colored paper, and let them drift in the water, praying to the sea god for safety. This custom is still popular among fishermen in Taiwan, Fujian and Guangdong, and is called colorful boat lanterns. In the slave society of the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century BC, Duke Zhou assisted King Wu in his quest to establish Luoyi and held a banquet on Qushui River to celebrate. "Wine floated on the flowing water" and "cups followed the waves". Night followed day, and lamps were lit on the cups where the wine glasses were placed. The wine and lights evolved from the curved cups and flowing wine glasses following the waves. The Book of Songs from the Spring and Autumn Period recorded the folk customs of holding candles to call back souls and holding orchids to ward off evil at the Qin and Wei rivers. The slave society was a society that invaded neighboring countries and was constantly at war. When using ships to carry fire to attack cities and destroy strongholds, it was a common practice to bury the fallen soldiers in water and place flowers and light lanterns on the boats and rafts. During the Zhou Dynasty, on the 15th day of the eighth month, people would welcome the cold with fire and sing and dance around bonfires, "lighting lanterns to celebrate the full moon." In the Jin Dynasty, on the night when the moon was the fullest and brightest every year, people would “enjoy the moon with lights and candles all night long” or “take a boat to enjoy the moon.” These activities were earlier than the Taoism that emerged in the Han Dynasty and the Buddhism that was introduced into my country during the Han and Jin Dynasties.Summary: Through the above article, we know the origin of the custom of releasing river lanterns during the Beginning of Autumn and why river lanterns are released during the Beginning of Autumn. We hope it can help you! |
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