What is the story of New Year's money?

The story of New Year's money

□Prince Jin

Feng Zikai painted "Children's Miscellaneous Poems" "Last night's new collection of New Year's money."

"Last night I received new year's money, a hundred dollars from the board. The "New Year's money" is a long-lasting folk cultural heritage. Chinese folk life rituals with "money" as a prop, such as the first born to wash the child money, the age of the foreign family to send colorful money gold and silver money, the wedding to throw money, open the door to money, spread the account of money, the funeral fall gas money, look at the mountain money, the mouth with money, wash the money, and so on; and also with "money" as a prop to the time of year Customs, such as the yuan day paste five-color paper money, February 2, the introduction of money dragons, cold food Qingming paper money to sacrifice, as well as money on the eve of the money, money, such as the New Year's Eve. These folk phenomena reflect the magical character of "money" in traditional Chinese culture. On New Year's Eve and Spring Festival, we may wish to review the story of "New Year's money" and examine the related social and cultural phenomena.

Pan Rongsheng of the Qing Dynasty, "the Imperial Capital Years and Years" in the "December - the end of the year miscellaneous affairs" section, said that the family reunion, the end of the year, "scattered yellow money, gold and silver ingot" of the New Year's Eve rituals and customs. Lou Zi Kuang's "New Year's Customs" also describes the Yuezhong folk custom of paying homage to children on New Year's Day: "This is a ritual whereby those of a younger generation pay homage to the older surviving generation. The youngest should kneel down and kowtow three times, and the elder just bends his head and takes his arm to say goodbye, but for the more polite elder, he follows and kneels down, and also sends a few dimes or dollars of worship money in a small red paper packet, and tells the youngest to go and buy toys or food for himself."

This so-called "worship money" is usually called "New Year's money". The "New Year's money" is a long-lasting folk cultural legacy. The Qing dynasty Gu Lu "Qing Jia Lu" Volume 1.2 cited Chen Jialing "year cold word" small preface cloud: "and charge the money of the year-end." Another poem by Wang Ziyou: "I don't spare money to share the money for the New Year's Eve." Zhang Yicheng's poem "New Year's Money" also contains the lines "The town will be used for the New Year's Eve" and "The ring of vermillion strands is knotted". In another poem, Guo Dengjia's "The New Year's Eve in Huaiyin" (淮阴年除-咏压岁钱) reads, "The red rope is made of green copper." Cai Tieweng's poem is also quoted: "Clang clang pai duo throws qiong sound, half throws the New Year's money at the head of the bed." Texts about New Year's Eve money can also be found in Shanghai bamboo rhymes. For example, the old man Yingxue's "New Year's Eve Bamboo Characters" reads, "Children compete for New Year's money, hanging it on their chests with a knot in the red headband. I tell him not to be naughty, for next year will be a big year." These verses are folklore historical materials reflecting social and cultural information.

Children's "happy money"

Pressing the New Year's money is a common ritual and custom in Chinese folklore. According to the article "New Year's Money" in "Talking about Zheng - Ministry of Affairs", the custom of New Year's Eve started at an unknown time, but Chen Qinian's "Preface to the Words of the Year of Spring and Cold" has already included the phrase "and fill up the money for the New Year's Eve, and store the wine for the New Year's Eve". The Qingjialu, Volume 1.2 on the New Year's Eve money, wrote that the elders gave to the children, "to Zhu rope decorated with hundreds of money, called 'New Year's Eve money'." The author also cited Wu Man Yun "Jiangxiang Festival Words" small preface, Hangzhou custom, children's age, the elders and money, through the red, placed in the bedroom, called "New Year's Eve money". His poem: "Hundred and ten money through the colorful line long, divided into corner pillows from the collection. Negotiate the firecracker? The price of xiaojiao, added to the children of the night busy." And the "common saying Kao Yuan" "pressure year money" article, folk custom, New Year's Eve night, each family has a small child, with a tray box a kind of mixed fruit and food, giving each other, called "pressure year plate". And thought this is the Song time in addition to the evening within the meaning of the Bureau into the exquisite night fruit box system of the "legacy". Dream sorghum record" volume six "night" once said that the song dynasty new year's eve this practice, presented by the assorted gift box because of fruit-based, so called "fruit box". The opinion that this kind of "fruit box", which was probably mainly for children, was the precursor of the "New Year's Eve Plate" and later evolved into "New Year's Eve Money" is of reference value. Tang dynasty Xu curry poem "sick in the spring instantly send the master Shangshu two", there is "wax will be sent to the three folding stock, the year Yin divided with five baht money" sentence, which is called the year Yin divided money, perhaps also with the "New Year's Eve" folklore phenomenon of the original form of a certain relationship.

Fuchsia Duncan, a Qing dynasty scholar, wrote in the article "New Year's Eve Money" in the Yenching Yearly Record that money was threaded through colored ropes and woven into the shape of a dragon and placed at the foot of the bed, which was called "New Year's Eve Money". Those who were given to children by their elders were also called "New Year's money". The eleventh year of the Republic of China "Hangzhou Prefectural Records" cited "Jiangxiang Festival Poem Title Note" also said that the children's New Year's Eve, the elders to give money, with a red rope through the line, placed in the sleeping place, called "New Year's Eve money". In Zhou Zuoren's "Children's Miscellaneous Poems" (《儿童杂事诗》) about "New Year's Day", there is a poem that describes "New Year's Money": "Last night I received a new year's money, one hundred dollars from the boards and pressed it into my pillow. I bought a goldfish and a three-legged toad as the first toys on the street." The author's note: "The name of the large square of money is 'Panfang'. The goldfish are made of fire paint, and one is worth three or four cents." Zhou Zuoren also recalled the situation of children using "newly received New Year's money" to buy toys or food: "If this is the first three days of the first month, if you go further east, you can find a place on the road from Xuantingkou to Daishansi Temple. If it was three days before the first day of the first lunar month, you could find one or two stalls making fire-painted goods on the road from Xuantingkou to Dashansi Temple. I still remember, frogs six Wen, goldfish eight Wen, three-legged toad twelve Wen, fruit is about four Wen even a strike, as for the old fisherman touching the fish, white bearded bare back, is 24 Wen, to account for my ordinary all the New Year's money a quarter, do not dare to ask easily." Zhou Zuoren in "Lu Xun's old family - share the year" also wrote: "Pressing the year-end money is probably for the younger generation of the year-end reward, but not universal, to give only the grandfather and parents, the largest number is only the plate square big money a hundred wen only."

The poem of Zhitang, "Last night I received the New Year's money, a hundred wen from the board square and pressed it to my pillow," seems to say that children received the New Year's money "last night" and then treasured it in their pillows. It seems to mean that after receiving the money "last night", the children treasured it in their pillows. However, it seems that there are also cases in which the elders directly put the New Year's money on the children's "pillows". For example, Cai Yun "Wu Yu owes a hundred chants" of the ninth note that the night of New Year's Eve, when going to sleep, the money placed on the pillow of the children, the name "New Year's Eve money". Lu Xun in the "flowers and pick up - a long and the "Classic of Mountains and Seas", also said "pillow" "New Year's Eve money" of the "collection" and "with the" specific relationship. The specific relationship between "receiving" and "using" is also described in "The Pillow" in "The Mountain and Sea Scriptures": "After the New Year's Eve is over, the New Year's Eve money from the elders, wrapped in red paper, is put on the pillow, and as long as it passes through the night, it can be used at will. Sleeping on the pillow, looking at the red envelope, thinking of the small drums, swords and guns, clay figures, sugar bodhisattvas bought tomorrow ......." The joy of children's New Year's Day is as festive and warm as the red wrapping of the red packets.

Famous painter Feng Zikai has "Children's Miscellaneous Poetry Pictures," in which a picture of "Last Night's New Year's Bucks," a vivid depiction of children's New Year's Day customs chronicled by Zhou Zuoren, is depicted.

The popularization of the folk custom of "New Year's money"

There are many sources of information about New Year's money in local chronicles that reflect the popularity of this folk custom.

For example, the twenty-eighth year of the Qianlong period, "Donghu County Records" described the local New Year's Eve folklore: silver money tied to the body of the child, said "press the year". Jiaqing two years, "Yixing County old record" said, giving children money, said "the new year's money". Jiaqing sixteen years "Xi'an County" records: the elders selected dozens of large money to give grandchildren, said "pressure year". Daoguang twenty-three years, "Wujin Yanghu County," also said that the children were given money, said "New Year's Eve money". Xianfeng two years "Huai'an Province": parents share money in the younger, said "pressure year". Tongzhi five years "Yidu County Records" and said that the red rope tied money given to the children, said "pressure year". Tongzhi four years, "Fang County Zhi" and wrote, the child to Zhu rope through the big money hanging lapel, called "the new year money". Tongzhi six years "Hefeng State Records" also said that the money tied to the body of the child, known as the "New Year's Eve money". Tongzhi seven years, "Wuling County", Tongzhi eight years, "renewed Yongding County" also has the "New Year's Eve money" text. Guangxu two years "Zuling County Zhi" said, with red rope braided money hanging on the children's clothing belt, called "New Year's Eve money". Guangxu six years "Badong County Zhi" also said that the silver money tied to the body of the child, called "New Year's Eve money". Guangxu fifteen years, "Luodian Township": "the elders pick the big green money divided into the younger generation, said 'the new year's money'." Republic of China six years, "Dali County Zhi Manuscript", said the elders to give silver money to the children, called "the new year's money". Another example is the Shuanglin Township Records of the Republic of China (R.O.C.), which says: "Giving money to the youngest children is said to be the 'New Year's Money'." In the 10th year of the Republic of China, Yiliang County Records said, "The "table money" is given to the young and the young, and it is said that it is the 'New Year's Eve'." Republic of China, 11 years "Tianmen County": "to money tied to the body of the child, said 'press the year?" Republic of China thirty-seventh year "liling county" also wrote: "to children happy money, said 'pressure year money'."

Tongzhi thirteen years "Qianyang County": parents share money with the family, called "pressure year". In the sixth year of the Guangxu reign, the Liouhe County Records said that parents gave money to their family members and called it "New Year's money", which did not seem to be limited to children. Guangxu eight years, "Herb State Zhi", Guangxu fifteen years, "Guangshan County Zhi" also recorded the New Year's Eve to money to family members, called "New Year's Eve" custom. Guangxu thirty-two years Fuyang County Records: "(Honorable) all over the money scattered in the size of the family and maidservants, called 'pressure year money'." In the 12th year of the Republic of China, the Zaoyang County Records also said that money was awarded to children and servants, which was called "New Year's Eve Money". The Xiping County Record of the 23rd year of the Republic of China also says, "On the night of New Year's Eve, the parents would distribute New Year's money to the younger children under their charge." The Xinping County Record of the 23rd year of the Republic of China (R.O.C.), the Zhengyang County Record of the 25th year of the Republic of China (R.O.C.), and the Majiang County Record of the 27th year of the Republic of China (R.O.C.) also contain references to the "New Year's Bounty" that is given to younger children by their elders. In the thirty-second year of the Republic of China, the Kunming County Record says, "The person who gives money to a younger person is said to be 'pressuring the year'." The so-called "humble young" refers to servants and children.

The second year of the Xuantong Zhuji County Records: "must be placed in a thousand money on the bed, called 'pressure year money'." In the so-called "thousand money", may be a larger number of special cases. In the ninth year of the Republic of China, "Zhangyan Zhi" said, "Elders gave their children a hundred coins on a vermilion rope, which was called 'New Year's money'." The number of "one hundred coins" coincides with Zhou Zuoren's poem, "One hundred coins on a board square by the pillow". In the twenty-first year of the Republic of China, the Lanshan County Records said, "The honored family members gave the younger generation tens of wen of money, which was called 'New Year's money'." The number is "tens of wen".

There are also places where the custom of New Year's money is practiced on the first day of the first month. For example, in the 11th year of the Republic of China, the Fahua Township Records said, "[On New Year's Day] the children were given money, which was said to be 'New Year's money'."

It can be seen that this folklore is not only from time to time, the continuation of the age is very long, from space, the distribution of geographic area is also quite vast.

Pressing the New Year's Eve money - Greeting the New Year's Eve money - Betting the New Year's Eve money

In the records of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day rituals and customs, it can be seen that there are different names for "Pressing the New Year's Eve money". For example:

Renewal MoneyRepublic of China (R.O.C.) 33rd Year Jixian Zhi: "Children in the family were given 'Renewal Money' in bulk."

Republic of China, thirty-two years, Gu'an County Records: "Elderly people give money to their children, which is called 'yearly money'."

The money with age KangXi nine years "Haifeng County Records": "children according to the age of the Department of money, sesame seed shells in the coat pocket, said 'with the age of the'." Qianlong twenty-ninth year, "Longping County": "children get money, said 'with years'." Republic of China twenty-third year "fixed county": "with the children's money, said 'with age?" Tongzhi seven years "Yanshan County Records": "according to the year tie children's money in the sash, said 'with years of money'." Republic of China eighteen years "Weihaiwei Zhi": "Parents divided 'with age money' in the children and grandchildren slave girl."

Youyiqian R.O.C. 22nd year "Qinyuan County Zhi": "Parents to give money to children, commonly known as 'year-end money'."

Dragging the soul money Republic of China 33rd year of Tongguan County Records: "to give children the New Year's money, commonly known as 'dragging the soul money'."

The year-end money KangXi forty-nine years "Gaomi County Zhi": "Home Governor to give children green money 'year-end'." The nineteenth year of the Qianlong "Gaomi County Zhi": "Parents give their children 'year-keeping money'." Qianlong 25 years "Weixian Zhi": "to money and silver to distribute to the children and grandchildren, so-called 'to keep the year'." Daoguang twenty-sixth year of Zhaoyuan County Records: "Parents cluster children for the 'year-keeping feast', the children are cakes and bait to eat, people to be 'year-keeping money?'" Guangxu eleven years "Danyang County": "Parents scattered money in the family, called the 'New Year's Eve money'." Republic of China thirty years, "Weixian County Zhi Zu" also records: "to money to distribute to the youngest children, called 'to keep the New Year's Eve money'."

Splitting the year money Qianlong twelve years "Wukang County Records": "Parents to give the size of the money bills, fruits and so on, said 'splitting the year'."

The centennial money Cai Yun's "Wu Yu owes a hundred absolute" there is a song describing the New Year's Day customs, wrote: "centennial money in the tray of distribution, ten thousand years of grain and rice for the case". A small note: "The children were handed out on a fruit plate with '100 years old money' inside." Republic of China in the eighth year of the "Jiande County Records": "children who are underage to gift '100 years old money'." Shouchang County Records of the 19th year of the Republic of China: "Honorable elders gave '100-year-old money' to the younger ones." Republic of China, 26th year of Qu County Records: "Honorable elders choose dozens of big money to give to their grandchildren, saying 'pressure age'. As much as a hundred words for the degree, also said 'hundred years of money'."

Baijie money Qing Shen Qin Han "New Year's Eve poem": "begged the children to pay tribute to the money, slave girl face open each present."

New Year's money "Xifeng County Records" records, "bring children to congratulate, the host feed money, called 'new year's money'."

New Year's money Jiaqing 20 years "Wenjiang County Records": "Honorable elders and children money, called 'New Year's money'."

Yazhou money Republic of China 25 years "Yangwu County Records": "the elder to the money given to the younger, called 'Yazhou', also said 'pressure year'."

Paying homage to the money Republic of China thirteen years "Dinghai County Records": "the elders to give silver money, called 'pay homage to the money'."

Wanjiu money Jiaqing 20 years "Wenjiang County Records": "the elder to give money to the younger, called 'wanjiu money'."

Bet year-old money Qianlong sixty years "Shishou County Records": "Honorable elders and children money, called 'bet year-old money.'" Tongzhi thirteen years "Anji County Records": "size of the money to each banknote, called 'betting on the year money'." Guangxu 3 years, Huangyan County Records: "Parents dispersed their children, servants and maidservants with money, which was called 'betting on the New Year's money'." Guangxu twenty-two years, "Sikkim knowledge of small records" records: Chongan Temple City since the beginning of the day, children scramble to go. The sale of puppet theater equipment, melting tin for small cups and plates, chairs and tables, small collars, and cut bamboo and wood for knives and guns, paper for the ghost face, "most of the earning cheating children betting money ear." Guangxu 25 years "Yuyao County": parents scattered money in the family size of men and women and maidservants, "the name is 'betting on the year'." Republic of China, 16th year of the Guazhou Renewal Records: "Distributed to children to bet the year money." Changge County Records of the 20th year of the Republic of China: "The honorary elders give money to the younger ones," named 'betting on the year'." Republic of China in the 19th year of the "Chongming County" said things on New Year's Day: the elder gives silver money, "called 'bet the year'." Zhenhai County Record of the 20th year of the Republic of China: parents give money to their children, "called 'betting on the year'." Republic of China twenty-four years "Qingcheng County Records" of this ancient folklore and a new interpretation: "children with drums and music for the play, the elders to the younger generation to children's education, a number of reserves, said 'bet on the age of money'." Dream of Red Mansions" 53rd also said "betting on money": "and then scattered betting on money and wallet gold and silver ingot and other things." And visible "bet year ingot": "just when the maid held a tea tray bet year ingot in." Until recent times, there are still writing "压岁" as "押岁". Qu Qiubai's "History of the Heart of Chidu" speaks of the "gifts given by the elders to the young children" on New Year's Eve as "the Chinese 'New Year's Day' tray".

Particularly surprising, there will be paper money to offer sacrifices called as ancestors to send the "bet on the year of the money," said. Republic of China seven years, "Shangshui County Records": "(except for the day) to paper money to the grave, said 'for the ancestors to send bet on the year money'." There are also some who call the money used for "offering to the Buddha" as "pressure year". For example, in the 17th year of the Republic of China, "Luquan County Records": "(New Year's Eve) to silver money for the Buddha Hall, said 'pressure year'."

It seems that the age of money and with the age of money is written in a different way, and a hundred years of money and worship money is also originally out of a, may be the cited Lou Lou Kuang edited "New Year's Day Customs," the so-called "worship money". As for the pressure money, Yazhou money, visit money, sickly money, and betting money, their sounds are similar, and it is still open to discussion as to which of these names is closer to their original meanings. Qian Wochen's "Poem on Pressing New Year's Eve Money": "My sister-in-law has set up a feast for the New Year with her precious wood and half an aunt. The old man has nothing to do with the New Year, but he counts his grandchildren's New Year's money." Note: local custom, with five-color thread through the green money row pattern, "a gift of children's pressure victory, said 'pressure money'." To "pressure victory" release "pressure" word, may also be close to the original meaning.

Republic of China in the fourth year of the "Hankou Xiaozhi" recorded in the first month of the rituals and customs: the first day of the year, the second day of the trade is stopped, do not sweep the floor, do not take fire, do not hit the water, the vegetables are cooked in order to spare, so that "the pressure of the year". Women and children are wearing silver, Taiwan tickets, also known as the "New Year's Eve". It was quite common to call money "New Year's Eve". New Year's Day, stop making, stop cooking, is everywhere **** the same situation, but explicitly called this "pressure year", but not very common.

Source: China Reading News

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