What are the Spring Festival customs in Shangqiu?

Shangqiu is a city with a long history in Henan Province, China, and its Spring Festival customs are rich and varied. The following are some Spring Festival customs in Shangqiu:

1. Post Spring Festival couplets: Shangqiu people like to post Spring Festival couplets before and after the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival couplets are written with auspicious words and wishes, made of red paper and posted on the door or wall to pray for good luck and peace in the coming year.

2. stick grilles: Shangqiu people also like to stick exquisite window grilles on their windows. Window grilles are usually cut into various shapes from red paper, such as flowers and animals, which means happiness and good luck.

3. Eat New Year's Eve: Shangqiu people, like other places, one of the important activities of the Spring Festival is family reunion. New Year's Eve usually includes rich dishes, such as fish, meat and vegetables, which symbolizes reunion and harvest.

4. Red envelopes: During the Spring Festival, Shangqiu people will give red envelopes to children and younger generations, which contain a certain amount of money, symbolizing blessing and good luck.

5. Ancestor worship: Shangqiu people will also hold ancestor worship activities during the Spring Festival. They will tidy up the graves of their ancestors, burn incense and worship, and express their respect and gratitude to their ancestors.

6. Lion Dance: Shangqiu people like to perform lion dances during the Spring Festival. Lion dance is a traditional folk performance, symbolizing exorcism and blessing.

7. Watching lanterns: Shangqiu people will also go to parks or streets to watch lanterns during the Spring Festival. Lanterns are usually made of colored paper, bamboo and so on. They have different shapes and are very beautiful.

Generally speaking, Shangqiu's Spring Festival customs are rich and colorful, blending elements such as religion, folk customs and family gatherings, implying reunion, auspiciousness and happiness. These customs not only show the traditional culture of Shangqiu people, but also add a festive atmosphere to the festival.