What does the old saying "a good woman doesn't look at the lights, but a good man doesn't whip the spring" mean?

First, good women don't look at the lights.

First of all, let's talk about "good women don't look at lights." This sentence is mainly to warn women, and it is especially for unmarried women. Why do you say that? Mainly look at the word "don't look at the light". In ancient times, women were often bound by the Confucian thought of "three cardinal guides and five permanents". People always emphasized that the social hierarchy was "men are superior to women", so there were many constraints on women, such as the well-known "three obedience and four virtues", "women without talent are virtues" and "chastity and virtue". In this kind of proverb, it includes "women don't watch lanterns", which mainly emphasizes that during major folk festivals (especially the Lantern Festival), women can't go out to watch lanterns, and of course they can't put lanterns, but they must strictly abide by the rule that unmarried women "don't leave the gate or the second door".

In the eyes of ancient people, because of these grand festivals, the streets are full of good men and women, spectators, vendors and even some rough people. Of course, on this day of universal celebration, there are also various dudes and hooligans. So it is very unsafe for girls to go out. In addition, in ancient times, things such as forced robbery and forced marriage also occurred from time to time. If a beautiful girl with yellow flowers is caught by a man with ulterior motives while watching lanterns, what she faces is nothing more than being robbed or forced to walk with people in the street. And this kind of thing, as a girl's parents, is definitely not willing to see. However, there are also many "unruly" girls. Most of them are naughty. They especially want to go out and watch the fun, so they secretly come to see the lights. Such women will be called "bad women". Although the original intention was to protect girls, it still vaguely revealed discrimination against women.

Second, good people don't whip spring.

Let's talk about "good men don't whip spring". Perhaps quite a few people can't understand the meaning behind the word "whip spring". In fact, this is a long-standing cultural custom. "Whip Spring" can also be called "Whip Spring Cattle" or "Whip Cattle", which is usually held in spring and is also closely related to the culture of clean government. Later, as the weather gets warmer, people will use a labor tool-cattle in spring ploughing. Therefore, at this time of spring every year, they will start to "whip the spring", that is, "whip the cattle". Because such behavior can bring them good luck, they think that the sown land will usher in a bumper harvest, so whenever it comes to flogging spring, the village will become extremely lively.

However, with the gradual development of this activity, there has been an "imbalance between supply and demand", and many people will fight each other for a quota of "whipping springs". After all, who doesn't want such a good thing? However, the quota of Whip Spring is fixed every year, and there can only be one player. Therefore, people will argue with each other because of this incident, resulting in misunderstandings, ill feelings and even conflicts. Every year, they will try their best to grab this whip spring quota that does not belong to them. It is really wrong to clash with people in the village for such a trivial matter, which is why the second part of the proverb: Good people don't whip spring, they just want to be human, don't hurt everyone's goodwill for such a trivial matter, and truly respectable people won't participate in this activity.

3. Does "a good woman doesn't look at the lights, and a good man doesn't whip the spring" still apply now?

Since this proverb has existed for so long, it must be in line with the social conditions at that time. However, with the changes of society, the practical significance of this proverb may no longer be so appropriate. For example, "a good woman doesn't look at the lights" is too feudal, which can be said to be a very difficult thing in today's society, but it still has a certain role in reminding women to cherish themselves. In addition, "Good people don't whip spring" has long been "out of date". After all, few people still use Niu Gengdi, and this custom has gradually disappeared. However, it tells men to keep modest manners. In this fast-paced society, it is still a clean stream.