What is the significance of spring plowing

The significance of the spring plowing custom lies in the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture, which embodies the concept of man and nature living in harmony, and also demonstrates the colorful customs of various ethnic groups around the world.

In modern society, although agricultural production has changed a lot, we can still participate in or learn about the spring plowing customs to feel the ancestral people's reverence and gratitude for life and nature.

In ancient China, people believed that the land was the embodiment of gods and spirits, so during the spring plowing season, people would usually hold rituals to sacrifice to the gods and spirits of the land in their own farmland as a way of praying for the land's blessing and a good crop harvest. During the ceremony, people would burn incense, offer flowers and make offerings, and also read prayers to express their gratitude to the land god.

Not only do they reflect the Chinese people's knowledge of and attitude toward nature and life, as well as their love and respect for the land and labor, but they also contain deep cultural connotations and moral education. These customs are an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture and one of the unique cultural heritages of the Chinese nation.

Origin of Spring Plowing Customs:

The origin of spring plowing customs is related to the ancient people's observation and worship of heaven and nature. The ancients divided the stars near the ecliptic into twenty-eight constellations, of which the seven constellations of the eastern Canglong represent the dragon shaped stars. Every year in mid-spring (between the hibernation and the vernal equinox), the horns of the dragon (dragon's horns) rise from the eastern horizon, so it is known as the "dragon's head".

The dragon is considered to be the god in charge of wind and rain, and is vital to agricultural production. Therefore, on the day of "Dragon Head Raising" (the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar), people will hold various rituals to pray for good weather and good luck.

Besides "Dragon Head Raising", there are other festivals and rituals related to spring plowing in the south. For example, in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and other regions, "February 2" (the fifth e day after the beginning of spring in ancient times) is mostly dedicated to the community (land god).