China News Service Client, Beijing, April 3 (Reporter Shangguan Yun) Shangsi Festival, an ancient traditional festival.

In ancient times, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar was called "Shangsi", and the day was usually on the third day of the third lunar month. Later, the date of the Shangsi Festival was fixed on the third day of the third month.

　　According to legend, the third day of the third lunar month is the birthday of Emperor Xuanyuan.

So, how did the festival come about?

What are the customs?

Why is it called Shangsi Festival?

　　The Shangsi Festival has a very long history.

In ancient times, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar was called "Shangsi".

Most of the days of the month fall on the third day of the third lunar month. Later, the date of the Shangsi Festival was fixed as the third day of the third lunar month, and the descendants followed it.

Data map: Many college students dressed in Hanfu and performed ancient Chinese rhymes such as "Zaosi", "Feasting" and "Outing in Spring" by Shiyan Lake in Changsha to welcome the upcoming Shangsi Festival.

Photo by Yang Huafeng

　　Regarding the origin of the Shangsi Festival, there is a saying that the Shangsi Festival originated from the witchcraft activities of Lantang to ward off evil spirits, and Lantang was used to drive away evil spirits.

Bluegrass is used as a spiritual thing, and has the characteristic of fragrant aroma.

　　In spring and Jingming, people walk out of their homes, gather by the water, and hold ominous slaughtering ceremonies.

"The Rites of Zhou" Zheng Xuan noted: "It is removed at the age of the year, and now it is like water in March."

　　The Shangsi Festival is an important festival in the ancient times to hold a "bath by the side".

祓禊 generally refers to going to the waterfront to wash, remove the dirt, and take away the bad luck from the body, which has the meaning of praying for good luck.

　　In addition, the "Analects" once recorded: "The late spring, the spring clothes are ready, the crown is five or six, the boy is six or seven, the bath is in the Yi, the wind is like a dance, and the chant returns." .

　　"Book of Songs·Zhengfeng·Qinwei" said: "Qin and Wei, look at the Qing Dynasty. Scholars and women, Yin Qiying... Weishi and females, Yiqi will sneer, and give them a spoonful of medicine." It is the folk Shangsi Festival, the scene of young men and women traveling and meeting along the Qinwei River.

　　In the folk activities of the Shangsi Festival, Gao Ji is also sacrificed.

According to legend, Gao Qi is the god of marriage and fertility. Through this activity, people hope to ward off disasters and ward off evil spirits and pray for fertility.

Interesting "Squirting Water"

　　Gradually, the meaning of the Shangsi Festival has gradually weakened, and the meaning of welcoming the spring and enjoying the tour has become more and more intense.

Data map: College students have a retro-style feast by the lake.

Photo by Yang Huafeng

　　It is said that in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Shangsi Festival gradually evolved into a festival for literati and scholars to feast on the water, and another important custom of the Shangsi Festival was derived from this - Qushui Liushan, that is, drinking.

　　Historically, a similar event was famous.

Wang Xizhi held a Lanting meeting with his friends, and everyone drank and wrote poetry. He wrote a preface with a brushstroke, and achieved the "Orchid Pavilion Collection Preface", which is known as "the first running script in the world".

　　In the Tang Dynasty, Shangsi became one of the grand festivals at that time.

In addition to repairs, the content of the festival is mainly spring outings and water-side feasts.

Du Fu's "Beauty Walk" mentioned: "The weather is new on March 3, and there are many beautiful people by the water in Chang'an."

a lively festival

　　From the perspective of customs, the ancient Shangsi Festival was a relatively lively festival.

　　According to folklore experts, the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar is in late spring, and the characteristic of spring is "hair growth", so folklore at this time also advocates people to do more activities and love life.

Data map: An activity that reproduces the custom of the Shangsi Festival in the Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China, "curved water, floating eggs, and floating dates on the water" was staged in the Spring and Autumn Paradise in Yancheng, Changzhou, Jiangsu.

Photo by Tang Juan

　　In addition to the custom of feasting by the water and spring outings in the suburbs, the Shangsi Festival also has activities such as floating eggs on the water, floating dates on the water, etc. Among them, the floating eggs on the water are the oldest: put the boiled eggs in the river water and let them float. , whoever picks it up and eats it.

　　Although the origin of the Shangsi Festival was earlier, due to its proximity to the Qingming Festival and other reasons, some of its customs were gradually integrated into the Qingming Festival.

　　Previously, it was said that the Shangsi Festival was the "Valentine's Day" in ancient China.

However, some experts said that the main customs of the Shangsi Festival are still eating and warding off evil spirits, which cannot be simply regarded as "ancient Valentine's Day".

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