[New Year Chronicle] Why did Lichun "play the spring cow"?
Listen to folk painter "The Year of the Ox Says the Ox"
[Explanation] The Xin Chou Year of the Lunar New Year is approaching, and we are about to usher in the "bullish" Year of the Ox.
Since ancient times, Chinese people have continued the custom of "whipping the spring cow" in Lichun.
So why does Lichun want to "play Chunniu" and how?
A few days ago, folk painter Yang Xin told reporters the story behind this folk custom.
[Concurrent] Folklore painter Yang Xin
The day before the beginning of the Spring Festival, the Spring God begins to be greeted. To welcome the Spring God is to welcome the cow.
This cow is made of mud. I smashed it into pieces. After breaking it, I quickly grabbed a piece of mud from the cow and took it back to my house and put it in the granary, which means that there will be a good harvest in the coming year.
Folk whipping of spring cattle is still available in our south (now), whipping spring cattle.
In fact, it means that you hurry up, old cow, and spring will come soon.
At the same time, I warned these people that the cows have all gotten up and they should prepare for spring ploughing, let alone people?
In fact, it is to urge people to know what you are going to do in a year, and the spring season is coming soon.
[Explanation] In the context of Chinese traditional culture, the cow has always been a beautiful image of loyalty, honesty, and selfless dedication.
Since ancient times, cattle have been deeply loved and respected by the Chinese.
Legend has it that since the time of Dayu’s water control, there has been a tradition of casting copper and oxen to town water. In Chinese folklore, oxen are gods from all over the world.
Yang Xin said that the first sign of the Chinese zodiac should be the cow.
[Concurrent] Folklore painter Yang Xin
Folklore (bull) belongs to the gods and generals in the sky. The Jade Emperor said that if you go down to the world, you will turn the world into green.
Tell him that you planted a handful of grass seeds in three steps, and he turned the grass seeds into three grass seeds in one step, so the grass grew very lush, and the people complained.
Just send you down again, eat only green grass, and help farmers work.
The cow is one of the earliest domesticated animals, placing it first in the Chinese zodiac.
Needless to say, it must be.
(Folklore) But I did not expect that the mouse ran ahead at the moment the bell rang.
[Explanation] "Don't wait to raise the whip and raise your feet", "Bow your head and be willing to be a bully"... In addition to the role of farming and transportation, the cattle also have a profound influence on the Chinese people's spiritual shaping.
[Concurrent] Folklore painter Yang Xin
The ancients paid much more attention to the sign of the cow than others.
In our art works in the past, what do you often watch Mr. Wu Zuoren paint?
buffalo.
For example, in our Forbidden City, the most famous painting "Five Bulls" in the collection.
It is that people have to learn the spirit of the cow, do something with perseverance, hard work and no complaints, and do it without consideration of payment.
Later, people describe this persevering spirit of people, which is replaced by the image of a cow.
[Explanation] Yang Xin said that with the development of the times, many folk customs have changed, but the spirit of inheritance has not changed.
Behind this is rich Chinese traditional culture, and it also represents people's beautiful longing for the coming of the new year.
[Concurrent] Folklore painter Yang Xin
The Chinese are very particular about their own local culture, which is closely related to human beings.
For many of these words, what he describes is my spirit to animals and this zodiac, and I use its spirit to overcome all difficulties.
This year's cow also represents a good wish and a good start.
Wang Shibo Report from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]