The custom of Chinese New Year in Beijing

It is said that the custom of touching stone monkeys in Baiyun Temple during the Spring Festival was handed down from the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that touching the stone monkey in Baiyun Temple during the Chinese New Year can ward off evil spirits. Because the homonym of "monkey" is climate "Hou", and "touching monkey" means to adapt to the weather, "learn from nature", adapt to seasonal climate changes, and make the New Year auspicious, healthy and safe. ?

Second, touch the copper

The so-called Tongte is actually "special" made of copper. This kind of "beast" does not exist in life. It is said to be the mount of Emperor Wenchang. The shape of "Te" is a mule body, a horse's head, a donkey's tail and a cow's hoof, so it is also called "four unlike". It is also said that Emperor Kangxi rode it when he visited Jiangnan. According to folklore, touching this "god beast" can cure diseases and is very effective.

It is said that it is called "Te" precisely because it has a peculiar function. If a person is unwell, he can get rid of the disease by touching his sick place first and then touching the same part.

Third, cross the bridge and hit a nail.

Going to Zhengyangmen is also one of the customs of New Year in old Beijing. The first volume of the Qing Dynasty's "Yoshitani Moon Day" records: "In the first month of Yancheng, women traveled in groups, and the first one made people famous by holding incense. Anyone who has a bridge has a high phase rate and is full of diseases. I also secretly touched the front doornail, and the winner was lucky. "

On the 16th day of the first month, Cain's women can walk far, which is really a fitness activity. Married infertile women touch nails at the city gate, and the word "nail" is homophonic with "ding", indicating that the family is prosperous and hopes to have children next year. Zhengyangmen is the tallest tower in Beijing, 43.65 meters high, so touching the doornail of Zhengyangmen is the most effective.

Fourth, fried meatballs

Every New Year, Beijingers will stir up a large pot of meatballs to prepare. There must be meatballs on the New Year's Eve, because meatballs symbolize family reunion. Generally, during the Chinese New Year, there are almost all meatballs on the dining table, which is also a reason to save trouble. In the past, during the Spring Festival, family members always paid New Year greetings or received New Year greetings. The meal time is not fixed, and there is not much time for cooking. If you can prepare meatballs in advance, you can eat them on the table.

Fifth, eat "jiaozi".

Old Beijing pays attention to eating "jiaozi in five appearances", that is, eating in the morning of the first day of junior high school. Eat big fish and meat on New Year's Eve. After the New Year's Eve, I began to chop stuffing and wrap jiaozi. You can't move the knife after zero.

Jiaozi must be vegan, and its fillings include fungus, mushrooms and vermicelli. According to the old rules, you can put ginger, but you can't put onions, garlic and leeks. Although these things are not meat, they are also "meat". Jiaozi, jiaozi and jiaozi are not allowed to touch animal products.

Jiaozi should celebrate the New Year with the whole family, and so should the rich. This is to show the unity and harmony of the family, and Qi Xin works together. There are not only fillings in jiaozi, but also some washed coins and dates for good luck.

At five o'clock, Jiaozi cooked, and served first. After the ceremony, the whole family set off firecrackers in the yard. Back in the house, the children kowtow to the old man, and the old man will give lucky money. After that, the whole family can get together and have a steaming "first bite of the New Year".

Public trust. Com- The tradition of old Beijing is not that eating jiaozi on New Year's Eve cannot be separated from two side dishes.

Public trust. What are the folk customs of New Year in old Beijing? Touch the stone monkey, touch the copper, touch the doornail.