Back in the Zhou Dynasty, the first day of the tenth lunar month was La Sacrifice Day. A grand sacrificial ceremony was held on that day. The Book of Rites, Lunar Edict described the Zhou Dynasty's La Sacrifice Day. With prey as a sacrifice, the Son of Heaven would offer sacrifices to the sun, moon, stars, and other deities. He would also offer sacrifices to the five generations of ancestors. At the same time, he would reward the farmers and enact a new schedule. The Book of Songs, Cold Wind, Seventh Month mentioned that fire flows in the seventh month, clothes are given in the ninth month. It meant that the weather would gradually turn cold from the ninth month. It was time for people to buy clothes to keep out the cold. Therefore, the first day of the tenth lunar month was also known as Clothes Giving Day. Clothes were given in the ninth month of the summer calendar, but the date was uncertain.
The Tang Dynasty popularized it among the people. People began to make clothes to honor their parents or offer sacrifices to their ancestors on that day.
In the Song Dynasty, the people of the Song Dynasty believed that it was too early since the weather wasn't completely cold in the ninth month. Therefore, this custom was pushed to the first day of the tenth lunar month in the Song Dynasty. It was passed down from generation to generation until today.
Of course, there was another rumor. It was said that Meng Jiangnu's husband was conscripted to build the Great Wall. Meng Jiangnu brought clothes from afar to deliver winter clothes, but by the time she delivered them, her husband had already died of exhaustion. Meng Jiangnu was saddened as she cried on the Great Wall. The heavens were moved, and the Great Wall collapsed, revealing her husband's corpse.
Meng Jiangnu helped her husband wear the clothes so that he could withstand the cold. Later generations called this day "Winter Clothes Day".
Of course, this was only one of the many legends. There were many stories, and every place had its own story. However, that wasn't important. What was important was that this day was a festival of filial piety. It promoted the culture of filial piety.
The Winter Clothes Day, commonly known as the First of October, was also known as the Lunar Night Festival, Clothes Burning Day, and so on. Although the Winter Clothes Day was one of the Four Ghost Festivals, it was different from the others. On this day, it was a day for people to be buried together, move graves, burn paper, and so on. On the Winter Clothes Day, people would burn winter clothes for the deceased. On this day, women would take out the cotton clothes that they had made and let their family try them on. On this day, men would tidy up the stove, clean the stove, and the chimney. This was to ensure that there would be something to keep them warm in the cold weather.
But with the development of time, traditional festivals have gradually been neglected. Many people have already forgotten the existence of Winter Clothes Day … "
Upon saying this, Fangzheng sighed. He couldn't figure it out. Huaxia's culture was broad and profound. The traditional virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust ran through these traditional festivals and customs. This was a great thing. But why was it that now, it was being increasingly diluted by the world? Was it really just to oppose feudal superstition and promote science and culture? So why is it that Halloween in foreign countries can be openly celebrated as a holiday? This didn't make sense at all!
With this in mind, Fangzheng thought of the Spring Festival. Fangzheng remembered that he had once gone to the city with his master to celebrate the Spring Festival. However, there were no firecrackers in the city, nor were there any signs of children playing around. Many families did not even stay up on the eve of the new year or eat their reunion dinner. That feeling was not much different from usual … In fact, because many people had left the city to return to the countryside for the holidays, it caused the huge city to be empty. There were almost no people on the streets, and there were many tall buildings in the district, but only a few houses had their lights on. That feeling … Now that Fangzheng thought about it, that was the real Ghost Festival!
As a result, Fangzheng had a deep aversion to cities up to this point. He did not like cities that lacked the festive atmosphere and humanity. This was because such a feeling only made him feel that winter was colder! Instead, it was the countryside that was more lively. Every family would gather together and visit each other. Children would hold lanterns and scatter fireworks on the ground … It was a festive atmosphere.
Of course, with the outflow of young people in the past two years, the countryside had also begun to decline. Thankfully, One Finger Village had regained its liveliness due to One Finger Monastery, and it began to bustle again.
Unknowingly, Fangzheng's thoughts had wandered. Only when Red Boy called out to him did he snap back to his senses.
"Uh, Jingxin, what did you just say?" asked Fangzheng.
Red Boy said helplessly, "Master, what were you thinking about? I wanted to ask you how Winter Clothes Day is celebrated? "
Fangzheng was taken aback before he smiled. "This is also a day to honor our ancestors. The main reason is that the weather is cold. We burn some clothes for our ancestors so that they can have a warm winter."
"Master, I have a question!" Squirrel raised his paw and shouted.
Red Boy shot a glance at Squirrel and chuckled. "Are you asking if there's anything delicious to eat on Winter Clothes Day?"
When Squirrel heard that, he opened his tiny mouth and rubbed his belly …
Salted Fish said impatiently, "What question do you have? Just ask!"
However, Squirrel shrugged and said, "Uh, Junior Brother Jingxin helped me ask."
Salted Fish: "…"
Fangzheng shook his head in exasperation. This little guy's mind was really filled with food! However, Fangzheng thought about it and realized that there was indeed something good on Winter Clothes Day! Fangzheng smiled. "Yes, but today isn't Winter Clothes Day. We have to wake up early tomorrow!"
Upon hearing that there was something delicious to eat, Squirrel jumped up in excitement. The other animals were also excited.
When Fangzheng saw this, he shook his head slightly. They were really a bunch of … little bastards!
When Salted Fish saw this, he curled his lips. "Hmph, what filial piety. Isn't paying respects to our ancestors just to eat?"
Fangzheng frowned when he heard that. He could not encourage such thoughts! Therefore, Fangzheng rapped the table and everyone fell silent. Fangzheng said, "Food is the most important thing to the people. There's nothing wrong with eating. Greed is the original sin. As for eating something special during festivals, there's a reason behind it. It's not purely to satisfy one's appetite. "
Salted Fish didn't believe him. "Why do I feel like it's just a bunch of people finding an excuse to celebrate by stuffing themselves with food?"
Fangzheng rolled his eyes at him. He had really seen such words before. There was once a professor who was said to be an expert. He said that the Chinese liked to celebrate festivals not because they wanted to celebrate, but purely because they liked to spend money, celebrate, and have fun! Therefore, the Chinese had a soft spot for festivals.
Back when Fangzheng read this article, his first thought was to find a brick and smack the bastard to death!
How did China's five thousand years of civilization become a culture of foodies and fools in his mouth?
With this in mind, Fangzheng said, "There's another legend in Jiangsu's Dafeng area. It goes like this: Once upon a time, there was a cowherd boy who resisted his landlord and was hacked to death by the landlord. His blood dyed the rice on the ground red. That day was the first day of the tenth month. From then on, the poor would eat red bean rice on the first day of the tenth month to commemorate him. There's even a nursery rhyme as proof: "On the tenth day of the tenth month, the cowherd runs home. If he refuses to leave, the landlord will smack him three times with a pole and a thin knife." Then, is it purely for eating? "
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