Traditional silver lock

Speaking of "amulets", it is inevitable that there is suspicion of feudal superstition. The "amulet" mentioned here is an auspicious thing with rich traditional culture-longevity lock. From historical origins to materials such as silver and jade, from different meanings given to longevity locks to the evolution of modern longevity locks, I will show you this auspicious ornament.

"Ruyi Lock" filigree inlaid with red agate long-life lock pendant

Longevity locks, also known as "anonymous locks" and formerly known as "longevity locks", are popular all over the country. It is an antique lock, usually made of gold, silver and Baoyu. It is an ornament hanging around a child's neck, bearing the hope that people will "lock" the child's life and let the child grow up safely and healthily. Therefore, many children hang this kind of ornaments from birth until adulthood.

For thousands of years, China people have solidified their most important and beautiful wishes on the "longevity lock" through their own life experiences and painstaking efforts, and put the "longevity lock" on their children with incomparable piety.

Historical origin

In the Han Dynasty, on the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of May, every household hung five-color silk ropes on the lintel to ward off evil spirits. Although the five-color silk is a small object, it symbolizes the divine power of the five parties and can exorcise evil spirits. The ancients believed that the five parties had magical power, which could ward off evil spirits and eliminate disasters.

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, due to frequent wars, plagues raged. As the famine continues, people weave ropes with colored silk and tie them on the arms of women and children, praying for exorcism, disaster prevention, disease elimination and longevity. Before the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Jingchu and other places followed the custom of Dragon Boat Festival.

By the Tang Dynasty, this custom had spread all over the country. In the Tang Dynasty, Zhang recorded in the poem "The Three Halls of the Dragon Boat Festival should be Fish Characters": "May you live a long life and continue my great kindness."

In the Song Dynasty, the imperial court had the custom of sending longevity wisps to officials on the Dragon Boat Festival. Every time before the Dragon Boat Festival, the emperor will personally present the life-prolonging jack-o'-lantern to Bai Gong, a recent minister, in Changchun Hall for them to wear on festivals.

In the Ming Dynasty, adult men and women wore fewer and fewer "longevity ropes" and gave them to children, gradually developing this colorful rope into a longevity lock. After all, it is also to lock good luck. Lock fittings made of gold, silver and jade are far superior to ordinary ropes in terms of aesthetics and value.

A golden lock locks wealth.

Silver lock, the lock is safe.

The mainstream longevity locks in society are all made of silver, but children are rarely given other precious metal ornaments. Why is this? On the one hand, silver is widely used. In ancient China, it was directly used as currency and circulated in daily life. It is very convenient to get materials: find a silversmith and melt the money to make jewelry, which will not affect the continued use of money.

Wearing a silver lock is more related to the characteristics of silver: silver itself has a health care effect on the human body and is suitable for delicate children. Li Shizhen, a medical scientist in the Ming Dynasty, recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica that silver has the functions of "calming the five internal organs, calming the mind, stopping convulsions and eliminating evil spirits". In other words, silver can ward off evil spirits, help children clear the "fetal poison" in the body, and help children whose minds are not yet sound to soothe their nerves.

Silver also has the function of sterilization and poison detection, which is beneficial to growing children. So among precious metals, silver is more suitable for children to wear: beautiful and healthy.

Silver locks are round and oval. Generally, it is 10 to 14 cm long and 6 to 8 cm wide. Put the necklace or ribbon into the lock to form a circle, wrap it around the child's neck and hang it on the chest under the neck. There are words and patterns on the front and back of the silver lock, which not only enhances the protection of the lock, but also expresses people's good wishes for children's longevity, happiness and auspiciousness.

Most of the characters appear on the front, generally, they are "long life", "long life and wealth", "long hair and good luck" and "awesome after death". Decorative patterns are mostly on the reverse side: Kirin, dragon, tiger, rich peony, auspicious eight treasures, lotus bats, Xiangyun beasts, and some related Han folk stories and myths and legends symbolizing auspiciousness. , very colorful.

The meaning of different people sending locks

Grandma gave a birthday lock: In Jiangnan area, grandma gave a silver decorative lock to her newborn grandson. It is generally believed that wearing a lock can protect children from disasters and diseases, grow up healthily and get rid of difficulties in fate.

Silver long life lock

Michel platini's dopted mother sent the lock: In the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, the elderly newborn babies' families were afraid that the newborn babies would be weak and sick, so they adopted the method of recognizing michel platini's dopted mother for the newborn babies to avoid disaster. Michel platini's godmother is regarded as a person who has many children and many blessings and lives a long life, bringing good luck to newborn babies. Michel platini's godmother wants to buy a silver lock and a necklace ring for her newborn baby to wear around her neck. When the child reaches the age of 12, it is considered that the critical period has passed, and the silver lock and collar should be removed. This is called a switch.

Hanging longevity locks in the name of temples: This custom involves locking children's lives with the help of Taoist or Buddhist gods to avoid being hurt by evil spirits.

Friends and relatives send locks: on behalf of sending aura, happiness and extravagance.

Changmingsuo ornaments

Today's long-life locks have more forms in material, appearance and use. In line with the aesthetics of modern people, we will not forget the tradition.

Nowadays, longevity locks are more about expressing a wish and blessing.

Longevity lock

Not only the memory of traditional handicrafts,

And our attachment to life.

Whether it is an old acquaintance at the same table.

Or a glimpse of a brief encounter

That device carries the peace and abundance of the Tao.

With the tranquility, joy and stability of the years.

Let people sink their hearts in the noisy world.