Weifang’s folk customs

1. Flying kites in spring

Weifang has an ancient custom of flying kites in spring. In 1984, the local government carried forward this excellent folk cultural tradition and advocated the holding of an international kite festival. That year, the United States 17 kite groups and more than 100 flyers from 11 countries and regions including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, the former Federal Republic of Germany, and Hong Kong came to attend the meeting.

2. High-density paper-cutting

During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, a large number of immigrants brought paper-cutting from other places. The fusion of subject and guest gradually formed the unique style of high-density paper-cutting. First, blocks and lines form black, white and gray tones, which set off each other, have strong contrast, and are full of rhythm. Second, the note is tall and straight, thick and rough, and full of strong epigraphic meaning. Third, he is known for his exquisite ideas.

3. Stuffing red envelopes into new clothes

Wearing new clothes during the New Year is one of the New Year traditions in Weifang. During the Spring Festival, not only do you have to prepare New Year's goods, buy new flowers, and satisfy your own appetites, but you also pursue new clothes. On the first day of the first lunar month, when I go out to celebrate the New Year, the first thing I show off is my new outfit. In ancient times, this custom also entrusted the working people with their good wishes to ward off evil spirits, eliminate disasters, and welcome good fortune.

4. Chinese New Year

Wearing new clothes during the New Year is one of the New Year traditions in Weifang. During the Spring Festival, not only do you have to prepare New Year's goods, buy new flowers, and satisfy your own appetites, but you also pursue new clothes. On the first day of the first lunar month, when I go out to celebrate the New Year, the first thing I show off is my new outfit. In ancient times, this custom also entrusted the working people with their good wishes to ward off evil spirits, eliminate disasters, and welcome good fortune.

5. Playing on a swing

The old custom of playing on a swing in Weicheng was as popular as flying kites. In recent years, this activity has also gradually resumed. The activity of playing on swings is carried out during the Qingming Festival and Cold Food Season. It has the functions of exercise and entertainment, but also has religious reasons. Old custom: If the Qingming Festival falls in the second month of the lunar calendar, the swing will be hung from the 16th day of the first lunar month; if the Qingming Festival falls in March, the swing will be hung from the 2nd day of the second lunar month, which always spans one month, so it is also called the "moon swing".

The frame of the "Moon Swing" consists of two thick upright columns and two pairs of intersecting joist columns. The lower end is buried deep in the soil, and the upper end is firmly tied with thick beams. The ring that fastens the swing rope is made of wax strips and threaded on the beam, which is called "Ju". Before playing on the swing, grab the two ropes on the two ropes and throw them away.

As the swing swings, the two restraints will gradually move closer to the middle of the beam. This is called "parallel restraint". According to custom, after "binding", you have to stop and give way to others. There are many tricks on the big swing, such as "independent", "sitting alone", "single person kneeling", "catching fish and shrimps", "picking up objects", etc. Some actions are accompanied by songs, such as "Peach blossoms bloom, apricot blossoms fade, and plum blossoms turn over."

Baidu Encyclopedia-Weifang