What's with the baby's lock?

Children's unlocking is a local custom, which is mainly popular in northern rural areas. It is a spiritual enlightenment activity for children who have reached the age of 12- 15, which is essentially equivalent to the "adult ceremony" widely circulated now.

Unlocking is a very important ceremony for children. Roles in a person's life: getting married and having children, relatives and friends, and even many people. Will be invited to the village, the most important of which is a child of the same age as padlock and twelve adults with different surnames, men and women.

The child's elders should find a "cellmate" for him. This person should be the same age and gender as the child who unlocked the lock. The so-called "escort to prison". The children accompanying the jailer should accompany the unlocking children to attend the opening ceremony. To show gratitude, an offering will be placed on the altar before unlocking the lock.

Sacrifices are generally fruits, cooked meat, wine and so on. The incense burner is placed on the upper floor of the altar. 12 adults with different surnames attended the ceremony. Everyone opened the locks for one year and then opened them one by one, symbolizing the release of the children from the prison.

Extended data:

The children must lock the lock first. According to local customs, padlocks are considered to lock up children, commonly known as "sitting in prison", and padlocks can make children "adults". The first padlock was on the first day of the first lunar month after the child was born. On this day, the child must first recognize the godmother, and the godmother usually chooses Grandma Chef, so that she can bless the child.

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