Per year
Starting from the Chinese New Year
Fujian people’s wandering activities
Appearing everywhere in urban and rural areas
Lively and warm
On February 14, 2024, the fifth day of the first lunar month, a folk custom parade in Fuzhou’s ancient neighborhoods celebrated the New Year, attracting a large number of tourists and citizens.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
Different folk customs
but it is
The same sincere prayer
The same beautiful longing
From the beginning to the end of the year
Fujian people celebrate endless festivals
The endless wandering gods
Amid the roar of gongs and drums and the blast of firecrackers
The wandering god “leave the circle” and “go to sea”
It also heated up the cultural tourism market
On February 14, 2024, the fifth day of the first lunar month, a folk custom parade in Fuzhou’s ancient neighborhoods celebrated the New Year, attracting a large number of tourists and citizens.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
What are the wandering gods activities in Fujian?
The hottest and hottest thing is
Changle Youshen
In Changle District, Fuzhou
“There is a wandering god in almost every village”
The time for wandering the gods varies in each village.
Extending from the first day of the first lunar month to the entire first lunar month
Such a strong traditional folk culture atmosphere
Influenced generations of Changle people
The parade team in the traditional folk activities of wandering gods.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
The wandering gods of Changle are especially famous in Houfu Village, Tantou Town
Every year on the tenth and twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month
The streets are empty and bustling with people
So much so that netizens jokingly called it
"The Traveling God of Fuzhou sees Changle, and the Traveling God of Changle sees great blessings."
On the morning of February 19, a traditional wandering god folk activity was held in Houfu Village, Tantou Town, Changle District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
As a famous hometown of overseas Chinese
Changle’s Wandering God Culture
I was also brought to New York by my fellow villagers.
In Flushing, New York, USA, at a wandering event
Believers gathered around "General Wu" and walked forward
On the morning of February 19, a traditional wandering spirit folk event was held in Houfu Village, Tantou Town, Changle District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province. Tourists from home and abroad took pictures with their mobile phones and cameras.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
In Huangqi Peninsula, Lianjiang County, Fuzhou City
The "Poseidon God" that began in the Ming Dynasty
It is a unique local traditional Lantern Festival custom.
A lantern with the head of Poseidon that is over 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide
There are also eight immortal lanterns and one hundred and eight general lanterns
Twenty-four filial piety flower basket lanterns and other lanterns
Carry out parade from Thean Hau Temple
From the beginning of the night, the joy continued until the early morning of the next day
The hundreds of meters long "Poseidon God" team
Shaped like a "river of lights"
Traveling through the streets
Fireworks soar into the sky with the sound of firecrackers
Contains rich marine cultural connotations
On the evening of March 18, the ancient village of Bizhou in Liancheng County, Fujian Province held the Bizhou 800-year-old Southern Song Dynasty lantern culture temple fair "Lighting up Song Dynasty lanterns and intoxicating Bizhou."
It is understood that the "Lantern Tour" activity in Bizhou Ancient Village has a long history. It is a custom activity that has been passed down since the Southern Song Dynasty when the Minister of Household Affairs "Wu Shiliang Gong" moved south to Bizhou. It has a history of more than 800 years. .
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
In Putian, the "Hometown of Mazu"
How could the God of Wandering be without Mazu, the "goddess of peace on the sea"?
No matter "the Mazu of the world returns to her parents' home"
Or "Meizhou Mazu patrols the world"
They are held all year round, and you can also swim across the strait
Travel to the world
On October 20, 2018, the golden statue of Mazu started from the Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island to patrol the Philippines.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
In 2023, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will escort us
The golden body of Meizhou Mazu patrols Putian
Ten days and nine nights, the journey is about 400 kilometers
Nearly a hundred Taiwanese temples and 58 overseas associations participated
Same as Taiwan’s “March Madness Mazu”
Inherit and carry forward Mazu culture
Praying for peace and loving peace
After the Spring Festival Ceremony, the Goddess Mazu of Meizhou Mazu Temple returned to Luan.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
Mazu in the world, her ancestors are in Meizhou
Meizhou Mazu Golden Body
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, I returned to Shanglin’s former residence to visit my relatives, Bufu.
On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, we returned from Dong Cai Shangying Palace to Luan Zu Temple.
The escort team is vast
Folklore battles are full of wonders and beauty
Celebrate the Lantern Festival and receive blessings from Mazu
Peitian Village, Liancheng County, Longyan City, Fujian Province held a Spring Plowing Festival event, attracting people to come and experience it.
The picture shows tourists experiencing plowing the land in an ancient Hakka village.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
In Guitang Village, Yanxi Town, Changtai District, Zhangzhou
The seventeenth day of the first lunar month every year
"Three Young Masters Entering the Water Exercise" was held
In memory of Wen Tianxiang, Zhang Shijie and Lu Xiufu, the "Three Heroes of the Song Dynasty"
It has a history of more than 500 years
6pm
The sound of suona, gongs and drums
Statue of Sangong Lu Xiufu
Then he was invited out by the villagers and placed in a chariot sedan chair.
Six members of the Ye clan lifted the sacred sedan chair
amidst the shouts of the crowd
Jump into the spring pond
Simulate the Three Dukes Lu Xiufu and defeat Emperor Zhao Bing
The heroic scene of resisting foreign enemies and committing suicide at sea
Pass on the spirit of "loyalty, justice and courage" from generation to generation
On February 4, Fengting Town, Xianyou County, Putian City held a traditional wandering god folk activity to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
In Changting County, Longyan, the "Hakka Capital"
and Ninghua County, Sanming City, the “ancestral land of Hakkas”
in the first month of every year
"Noisy Springfield" has an enduring legacy
Welcome spring plowing and pray for a good harvest
The villagers of Changting
Carry the statue of Guan Gong into the mud field
running around
Villagers in Chentang Village, Shibi Town, Ninghua County
But carrying the "Five Grain God"
Follow the band and dragon dance troupe as they parade in and around the village
After visiting the village, we then “toured the fields”
Running wildly in the mud fields to the beat of drums
You chase me and play non-stop
Both are "Noisy in Springfield"
different gods
All to pray for the new year
Good weather and good harvests
Making a fuss in Springfield is a unique custom inherited by the Hakka people in Tongfang Town, Changting County for hundreds of years.
In the first month of every year, villagers carry a statue of Guan Gong weighing hundreds of kilograms and run around in the mud fields to welcome the arrival of spring plowing, pray for a good harvest in the new year, and also enhance the feelings among the villagers.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
In Quanzhou, which is “half city of fireworks and half city of immortals”
During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival
The activities of the God-welcoming Games are even more colorful
There is a folk custom of marching on the street, "contesting the statues of gods, and the whole country is going crazy"
Patriarch Qingshui of Anxi visited the country to welcome the spring and prayed for blessings and blessings for the people.
There is the Yongchun Exploded Buddha, "the most amazing thing in Fujian"
There are also Poseidon patrols in Quanzhou Taiwanese Investment Zone,
The prince goes on tour, Mazu goes on tour, etc.
People come and go to celebrate the New Year
A thousand-year cultural context runs through ancient and modern times
On February 22, the folk performance of the Huo Ding parents-in-law at Mazu Palace in Xiazhou, Quanzhou was full of fun.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
Such people are happy with "gods"
There are also
Longyan’s No. 1 Divine Society in the World “Ru Gongtai”
The “White Cake Festival” is held three times a year in Nanping
Ningde's Chaotian Zhengjing Wandering God
…
Such wandering activities
There are many in Fujian
Were you shocked?
Why is the wandering spirit so popular in Fujian?
Human prayer activities
A long history, passed down from generation to generation
Every traditional Chinese festival
Colorful prayer activities were staged
Different regions have different customs
The themes are all about respecting heaven and blessings and worshiping ancestors.
Exorcise evil spirits, avoid disasters, welcome good fortune, etc.
The villagers are conducting spring plowing rituals.
With a history of more than 800 years, Peitian Ancient Village has accumulated a profound cultural heritage of Hakka farming and reading. Local farmers hold unique spring plowing ceremonies every year.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
According to the book "Fujian Traditional Fu Culture"
Fujian’s belief in the God of Fortune is particularly strong
Strong traditional genes
There are many palaces and temples everywhere, and there are many gods
The fifth day of the first lunar month is the traditional folk custom of the Spring Festival to welcome the God of Wealth. The Tianhou Temple in Sanfangqixiang, Fuzhou held a folk custom parade to "Welcome the God of Wealth", attracting many citizens and tourists to stop and watch.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
Why are there so many immortals in Fujian?
On the one hand, Yiguan Nandu
Let many Central Plains gentry take refuge southward
At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, people from the Central Plains went south to Fujian.
Bring advanced productivity
It also brings a variety of cultural beliefs
Of course, including the gods you worship
On the other hand, Fujian
"Eight mountains, one water and one farmland"
More mountains, less land, high mountains and dense forests
harsh natural conditions
In order to survive, we must fight against the natural environment
In order to seek psychological comfort, I hope for the protection of gods.
Therefore, Fujian
The city has the city and the village has the environment
Each village has its own god's blessing
Protect the environment and the people
Fuye Village held a "carrying a sedan chair into the sea" prayer ceremony.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
Mazu, Emperor Baosheng, Holy King Kai Zhang
"Protector of Women and Children" Chen Jinggu
"Hakka Protector God" Dingguang Buddha
…
Gods believed in by Fujian people
Many are real historical figures
or make contributions to the people
Or represents the etiquette of loyalty and filial piety
On March 3, 2024, the event "The Mothers of the World Return to Their Parents' Homes in the Year of Jiachen" was held at the former residence of Chen Jinggu in Cangshan District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
That’s why Fujian people
Worshiped from generation to generation
Youshen inheritance
In addition to expressing devotion to gods,
It also contains the yearning for a better life
Wandering God, is it just a wandering god?
Fujian wandering god
never tire of it
It’s not just all kinds of gods that travel around
It is also contained in traditional folk culture.
Historical connotation and cultural confidence
Villagers carry the statue of Shennong and parade along the village road.
With a history of more than 800 years, Liancheng Peitian Ancient Village has accumulated a profound cultural heritage of Hakka farming and reading. Local farmers hold unique spring plowing ceremonies every year.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
As one of the traditional folk activities in Fujian
Wandering God, full of sense of ritual
Create a strong New Year flavor
Continue to evoke emotional resonance
It also confirms the excellent traditional culture
Endless inner vitality
Villagers performed unique folk skills to celebrate the New Year.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
As an ancient blessing activity
The wandering god of Fujian people
With blessings and expectations for a better life
It also contains the inheritance and identification of cultural traditions.
On the 13th day of the first lunar month, Mazu Palace in Xiazhou, Quanzhou, Fujian, and Tianhou Palace in Penghu, Taiwan, jointly held the "Rice Turtle·Fruit Dragon" opening and dotting ceremony.
"Begging for turtles" is a Lantern Festival folk activity in southern Fujian, mainly popular in Quanzhou and Penghu.
People pile bags of rice into "rice turtles" and touch every part of the "rice turtle" from beginning to end to pray for peace and prosperity for the country and people and happiness for their families in the new year.
The picture shows the guests dotting the eyes of "Mi Gui".
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
As a "living tradition"
Wandering God is the subject of religion, anthropology, and sociology
Field research topics that are of great concern to everyone
It is not only an important ceremony for local people to pray for God’s blessings
It is also the emotional bond that maintains the cohesion of the clan community.
On February 23rd and 24th, the ancient event known as the "Mountain Village Carnival" was held passionately for two consecutive days in Luofang Township, Liancheng County, Longyan City, Fujian Province, the "ancestral land of the Hakkas", attracting tens of thousands of guests and friends from home and abroad. Liancheng.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
Lin Guoping, professor at the School of Social History of Fujian Normal University:
Every folklore activity has rich meanings, is a manifestation of people's cohesion, and is also a manifestation of nostalgia; behind folklore activities, there is also rich cultural connotation, a good wish and a culture of loyalty and filial piety.
On the evening of February 24, the "Candle Bridge Lantern" from Zhongluo Village, Hongtian Town, Yong'an City appeared at the folk street parade.
Zhongluo Candle Bridge Lamps are made by folk artists using bamboo as bones, paper as skin, and candlelight as flesh and blood to create various mythical animals of different shapes. The boards are connected together to form a "light bridge."
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
Gan Mantang, professor of sociology at Fuzhou University:
The contemporary Fujian village temple wandering gods' patrol ceremony has a carnival spirit, and has the social characteristics of sacredness, entertainment, nationality and organization.
From a religious perspective, the Fuzhou Rural God Tour is intended to drive away demons and ghosts within the territory and protect residents in the territory from being wealthy and safe for a year. The villagers can also take this opportunity to entertain the gods and thank the local gods for their protection over the past year; from a folk custom perspective It is said that the activity of wandering the gods is more of a folk cultural and entertainment activity, and entertaining the gods is more about entertaining oneself. It is a rural "carnival" with Chinese characteristics.
On February 14, the fifth day of the first lunar month, a folk custom parade in Fuzhou’s ancient neighborhoods celebrated the New Year, attracting a large number of tourists and citizens.
Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Dongming
What is interesting is
More and more young people are willing to participate
In the collision of innovation and tradition
Relay folklore inheritance
On February 4, traditional folk activities of wandering gods were held in Fengting Town, Xianyou County, Putian City, Fujian Province to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
Changle Youshen "Little Prince"
Cai Yucheng, a 3-year-old performer of "Puxian Ten Tones and Eight Music"
In the Youshen team, most of the people who support the generals are those born after 2000.
…
in Fujian
Groups of young people participated
Inherit and carry forward traditional folk culture
On January 31, 2023, a traditional wandering spirit folk event was staged in Houfu Village, Tantou Town, Changle District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province. Lin Zhaoyi, a young man born after 2000, took the lead.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
Putian folklore expert Zhang Yuanchang:
There are four reasons why young people love and respect traditional culture and pursue folk activities: first, to return to tradition and find a sense of belonging; second, to experience life and enrich life experiences; third, to challenge themselves and tap their potential; fourth, to enjoy happiness ,relax.
Children are experiencing string puppets.
Li Mingqing, a 66-year-old well-known Hakka puppet showman from Liancheng County, Fujian Province, came to a local kindergarten to perform the unique skills of pulling puppets on string puppets and writing calligraphy for children.
Li Mingqing drew on the artistic essence of other puppet shows and integrated the artistic characteristics of local puppet shows in Liancheng, creating his own techniques such as string puppet calligraphy and string puppet Raking Hu.
Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Bin
Traditional culture “breaks the circle”
How to hold the bottom line?
Lin Guoping, professor at the School of Social History of Fujian Normal University:
Traditional folk activities have been passed down for thousands of years and have formed a fixed pattern; as the times change, some appropriate adjustments will be made, which is called innovation, but the purpose of innovation is to adapt to the current era and fit the needs of young people. Aesthetics does not suddenly become something unknown.
All in all, innovation requires a step-by-step process.
On March 3, the event "Mothers from all over the world return to their parents' homes in the Year of Jiachen" was held at the former residence of Chen Jinggu in Cangshan District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province.
At the event, a "Zhu Xiantong" sitting on a motorcycle attracted special attention, and everyone took photos with their mobile phones.
Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Ming
Tourists who like traditional folk culture
Come to Fujian to see Youshen
see how they do
Follow the footsteps of the older generation
Pass on traditional folk culture
Author: Ye Qiuyun, Zhang Bin, Lu Ming, Wang Dongming
Source: China News Service WeChat official account