What does it mean when the dragon raises its head on February 2? What are the customs of February 2nd? You will know after reading this

Soon, the first month of the Renyin year will end, and the second month of the lunar calendar will follow. At the beginning of the month there is a traditional Chinese festival called February 2nd, the Dragon Raising its Head, but it is quite unfamiliar to young people. So what does it mean when the dragon raises its head on February 2? What are the customs of February 2nd? You will know after reading this.

1. What does the Dragon Raising its Head on February 2nd mean?

February 2nd Dragon Raising its Head refers to the day on the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar every year when the dragon horn star rises from the eastern horizon, gradually waking up from its previous dormant state, so it is called February 2nd Dragon Raising its Head. But this is just a legend, because there are no dragons in the world. However, in ancient times, the dragon was a symbol of good luck and good weather. Over time, this custom has been passed down to this day.

2. What are the customs of February 2nd?

Due to different regional customs in my country, the customs of February 2nd in different places vary. Among the folks, the biggest custom of February 2nd is cutting hair, which is said to symbolize good luck and fortune. In some areas of the south, there is still the custom of offering sacrifices to the land god. Below, Tuliu Xiaobian introduces the customs of February 2nd in various places as follows:

1. Customs of the Second Day of the Second Month in Shandong

Scattering ashes to attract dragons and building ashes piles: When it is still dawn, every household starts to scatter ashes. They use a dustpan to hold wood ash and scatter it densely along the outer walls of their houses, meaning to invite the dragon, a symbol of good luck, into the home.

Shaving the dragon's head: no matter old or young, everyone will get their hair cut to make themselves look brand new, which indicates that they can pray for good luck for the whole year.

Eating beans, making pancakes, and dancing dragon lanterns: People in Shandong eat fried soybeans and fried bean pods on this day, praying for a good harvest and a good harvest this year. Many places also have activities such as dragon dancing to pray for blessings.

2. Customs of February 2nd in Beijing

Eating spring rolls: Beijingers also eat spring rolls on this day, which is called eating dragon scales. Spring rolls are larger and tougher than the pancakes used for roast duck, and require a lot of vegetables to be rolled into them before eating.

Eating donkey rolls: Old Beijingers like to buy and taste donkey rolls on the second day of the second lunar month. Donkey rolls made of soybean flour and red bean paste are round in shape, which symbolizes wealth and fortune.

3. Customs of the Second Day of the Second Month in Shaanxi

Generally, the grandmother (uncle) gives popcorn and steamed buns to the nephew (daughter). My mother would fry the beans the day before and prepare them for the family.

4. Customs of the Second Day of the Second Month in Hebei

In rural areas, there is a custom of getting up early and picking up dragon eggs. Before dawn, the man of the house draws water from the village well with a bucket, saying that there will be dragon eggs in the well, and he carries them home to pray for good weather and good luck.

5. Customs of February 2 in Guangdong

In some places, there are dragon boat launching activities, where people jump into the water to launch the dragon boat, invite the dragon out of the water, clean the dragon boat, and try to row the dragon boat. It is to show people's respect for the dragon boat and their wish for everything to go well.

6. Customs of February 2 in Hunan

Mainly hair cutting. If you cut your hair on this day, it will bring good luck and give you a good spirit. The Xiangxi region has different customs because the culture of each region is different.

In general, the day when the dragon raises its head on February 2 means that the dragon star will rise from the eastern horizon on this day, which has a beautiful meaning. The customs of February 2nd vary from place to place, but the biggest folk custom that has been passed down to this day is cutting hair.