Folk Activities of the Second Day of the Second Month (Dragon Head Festival)
1. Worshiping the Earth GodThe second day of the second month is both the Dragon Head Festival and the birthday of the Earth God. It is also called the "Earth God's Birthday" or "She Festival." She Festival is divided into Spring She Festival and Autumn She Festival. In ancient times, the Spring She Festival was the fifth Wu day after the Start of Spring, while the Autumn She Festival was the fifth Wu day after the Start of Autumn (Wu corresponds to earth in the Five Elements). The ancients believed that the earth gives birth to all things, and the Earth God is one of the most widely worshipped deities. People believed that the Earth God manages the growth of grains and the safety of the region. Therefore, many people in various regions would worship the Earth God on the "second day of the second month."
2. Eating "Dragon Foods"
On the second day of the second month, there are certain dietary customs because people believe that "the dragon's power is great," so the food consumed on this day is often named after the dragon. Eating spring pancakes is called "eating dragon scales," eating noodles is called "eating dragon whiskers," eating dumplings is called "eating dragon eyes," and eating dumplings is called "eating dragon ears." When noodles and dumplings are cooked together, it is called "dragon holding pearls." Eating scallion cakes is called "tearing off the dragon's skin." Some places have the custom of eating "dragon eyes," "dragon whiskers," "dragon tongue," "dragon ears," "dragon skin," "dragon children," "dragon eggs," as well as eating spring pancakes and pig head meat. All of these are symbolic of the dragon, reflecting people's strong desire to pray for the dragon's blessings.
3. Cutting the Dragon's Hair
It refers to cutting hair on the second day of the second month. Children having their hair cut is called "cutting a happy head," using the auspicious time of the dragon rising to ensure the child's healthy growth and success in the future. Adults cutting their hair signifies bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, hoping for good luck and smooth progress in the coming year.
4. Guiding the Field Dragon
Every time the Spring Dragon Festival arrives, in some areas of China, people go to the well or river early in the morning with lanterns, draw water, and then light candles, burn incense, and offer sacrifices at home. In ancient times, this ceremony was called "guiding the field dragon." There are many activities associated with guiding the dragon and driving away insects. One of the most characteristic practices is spreading ash. Spreading ash is quite meticulous, usually using wood ash. People spread a dragon made of wood ash from their front door to the river, and then use rice husks to spread another dragon leading back to the house, symbolizing sending away the lazy (green) dragon and inviting the money (yellow) dragon, thus ensuring prosperity and wealth. Ashes are also spread from the street gate all the way to the kitchen stove, circling around the water barrel, which is called "guiding the money dragon." Spreading ash at the door serves to block disasters, and spreading ash along the wall corners forms a dragon or snake shape to attract blessings and prevent pests. In some areas like Fuxian County in Shaanxi, people also spread ash around the outer walls of villages, which is another expression of driving away dragons and pests. Later, some places began to use lime instead of wood ash to guide the dragon and repel pests.
5. Releasing Dragon Lamps
In the Yellow River Delta and some riverine areas, there is a tradition of "releasing dragon lamps." Many families make small boats from reeds or millet stalks, insert candles or place small oil bowls carved from radishes, and at dusk, they put them in rivers or bays and light them, lighting the way for the dragon. This activity provides entertainment while also conveying a beautiful wish.
6. Beating the Dragon's Head
In some parts of Northeast China, on the morning of the second day of the second month, people use long poles to tap the beams of the house, which is called "beating the dragon's head." This is to awaken the dragon and protect the area from harm. Adults and children chant: "On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head; the granary is full, and the small storehouse flows." In some places, people sprinkle a circle of ash in the courtyard, placing five grains and miscellaneous crops in the middle, called "beating the granary" or "filling the storehouse," to pray for a bountiful harvest and full granaries. Beating the beams means tapping the beams with wooden sticks or bamboo poles to scare away snakes and scorpions, preventing them from causing harm. In some places, people also beat the edge of the bed, achieving the same purpose as beating the beams.
7. Starting to Write
It is said that the third day of the second month of the lunar calendar is the birthday of the Wenchang God (the deity who governs academic achievements). In the past, on this day, children were encouraged to start writing, taking advantage of the auspicious sign of the dragon raising its head, to correct their clothes, dot the pupils with vermilion, and enlighten their minds, symbolizing that the children will have clear vision and a sharp mind, and wishing them to become literate and knowledgeable in the future. The opening-of-the-pen ceremony is the first major rite in life, representing the traditional form of education for children beginning to learn to read and observe rituals.
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