The custom of raising the dragon head on February 2 in Hebei Province

The custom of carrying a dragon's head on February 2nd in Hebei Province is to burn incense at the Dragon Palace or by the water to offer sacrifices to the dragon god.

In terms of solar terms, the first day of the second lunar month is between "rain", "fright" and "vernal equinox", and many places in China have begun to enter the rainy season. The ancients believed that this was due to the "dragon". The dragon occupies a very high position in the minds of China people. It is not only regarded as an auspicious thing in the world, but also regarded as the owner of weathering rain. Therefore, there is a saying that "the dragon rises on February 2nd".

On the second day of the second lunar month, spring returns to the earth and everything recovers. Insects, snakes and wild animals dormant in the soil or caves will wake up from hibernation, and the legendary dragon will wake up from deep sleep and ascend to heaven on this day. Therefore, people have the belief of "Dragon Head Festival", also known as "Spring Dragon Festival".

Social customs and habits

In the past, the Dragon Head-raising Festival was a day to worship the dragon god. On this day every year, people will go to the Dragon Temple or the riverside to burn incense and sacrifice to the dragon god, praying that the dragon god will turn clouds into rain and bless the harvest. Besides offering sacrifices to the dragon gods, people often hold various activities, such as dragon dancing, wearing dragon tails and writing pens. Dragon dance, in a good year, several ordinary people cooperated to make a grass dragon. On February 2, they took to the streets to celebrate the dragon dance, hoping to get another bumper harvest in the new year under the protection of dragons.

Some areas along the Yangtze River also have the custom of "putting dragon lanterns". Many people make boats out of reeds or forest poles, put candles or small oil bowls controlled by Luo people, and light them in rivers or bays at night to lead the way for dragons, so as to entertain and convey a good wish.