Introducing some of Taiwan's traditional folklore, festivals, weddings and the like!

Miaoli bungee dragon for the Miaoli County Lantern Festival main core activities, commonly written as Miaoli [fire side] dragon (bungee commonly used as [fire side] = ㄅㄤˋ), refers to the Hakka people in the Miaoli region of Taiwan to develop a traditional Lantern Festival Hakka fried dragon activities and for the "northern sky lanterns, in the bungee dragon, the South Bee Cannon, the East Xuan Tan" one of the "northern sky lanterns, northern bungee dragon [1], the South Bee Cannon, the East Xuan Tan", or "North Sky Lantern, North Bunlong [1], South Bee Cannon, East Xuan Tan", of which "Bunlong" is Miaoli Bunlong. Miaoli City, organized by the 'bungee dragon' so far in 2008, has entered the tenth anniversary, the lineup is not inferior to the salt water bee cannon

History

Bungee dragon from the Hakka, also known as the fried dragon, the Miaoli traditional Hakka Dragon Dance activities, the use of a large number of firecrackers, bee cannons to blow the dragon way to get rid of the evil (to go to the old) to meet the new year's role! Every year when the Lantern Festival is approaching, many dragon teams start to come out to practice, and on the day of the Lantern Festival, the event reaches a climax, where there is no "dragon" program except for the "Fire Dragon Formation" in China, and the Miaoli Fiery Dragon evolved from the Miaoli region's Dragon Welcoming Celebration, which is a very lively and exciting dragon dance. It is a very lively and exciting New Year's Eve celebration.

The six-part dragon dance

Paste the dragon

Eyes on the dragon

Welcome the dragon

Dragon

Pop the dragon

The dragon returns to the sky

Yanshuei Bee Cannon is a famous local folklore event during the Lantern Festival in Yanshuei Township, Tainan County, which is a large-scale fire battery made up of a number of cannons. The so-called Bee Cannon is a large-scale cannon battery consisting of a number of sky cannons. When the cannons are ignited, ten thousand cannons are fired in unison, just like a swarm of bees coming out of the hive, so it is called "Bee Cannon".

The once prosperous Yuejin Harbor refers to the present-day Yanshui Town, and "One House, Two Deer, Three Monga, Four Yuejin" describes the four major commercial harbors in Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty

. (The addition of "Apriljin" after "Yifu, Erlu, and San Monga" is a statement made by Yanshui area historians, which is also

seen in other areas of Taiwan that were "seaports in ancient times". This statement is also found in the communities of historians of other "ancient seaports" in Taiwan, for example, "One House, Two Deer, Three Monga, and Four Dumb Harbors").

Shanshui, which became a town due to the harbor, had the Bajiao Creek and the Qushui Creek flowing through it from the north and south respectively, and through the Bajiao Creek, Yanshui, which used to be an inland harbor, could be accessed to the Taiwan Strait through the Budai, and the flourishing trade brought Yanshui a period of scenic beauty, and created a lot of renowned traders, and at that time, traders engaged in the trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait were called The name "Suburban Merchants" was used at that time to refer to merchants engaged in trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. It also proved to be a prosperous scene along the Yuejin harbor at that time. However, over the past hundred years, due to coastal

surfacing and river siltation, the port no longer functions, and the merchant channel has become a regional drainage system, and Yuejin Harbor has become a catchment

pond for domestic wastewater in Yanshui Township.

Yanshui Town is close to the sea and is home to many fishermen from the coast of Fujian, China, who make their living from the sea. The activity of bee cannons may have begun in the 11th year of the Qing Dynasty, when Yanshui Town was infected with the plague, and the inhabitants, based on the customary practice of the people, prayed to the local "Guan Sheng Dijun" (God of Guan) for peace, and, according to the results of the divination, prayed for peace during the Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival

evening, please out of the temple in the Zhou Cang master to do the road, Guan Sheng Di Jun temple, all the way around the town firecrackers, around the town one night, and then evolved into a tradition,

initially, the town of villages are in the Lantern Festival before and after the three days when the firecrackers, and then gradually changed to the form of villages take turns to release the firecrackers.

Recently, the Yanshui Bee Cannon has become a large-scale event planned by the government, and in line with the history and sightseeing will be restored to the ancient streets. In 2006, the Tainan County Government

Sanfu Road in Yanshui Township was set up as a street of ancient cannons, and businesses on the street were linked to make firecrackers using ancient methods, such as bamboo rolled cannons and single-pipe vintage-style pyrotechnic fireworks. In 2007

The 13-kilometer-long firecracker saga was intended to challenge the Guinness Book of World Records, but because five routes were lit at the same time and the firecrackers were extinguished once on the way, it was difficult to determine the length of the firecrackers, and thus the record could not be set as hoped.

Bee cannon eruption moment: Salt Water Zhongzheng Road, the basic method is to nail the wooden bars of large bracket, from two feet to 20 feet high, and then will be full of Cupola in the

wooden frame, from a few thousand to 10,000 several thousand Cupola ranging from the heart of the Cupola connected to the composition of the fortress (or called the Cannon City)

, and then to the appearance of the decorations, sticking the color of the paper, the composition of the human figure, animal type. Then, they decorate the exterior by sticking colorful paper to form human figures, animal shapes, and so on. Families usually mobilize their members to make bee cannons for the event.

The route of the Yanshui Bee Cannon starts in front of the Moo-myo (temple) in Yanshui Town and goes around the whole town. Originally, the procession started on the day of the Lantern Festival and lasted for one day,

but due to the long procession time, Yanshui Town was divided into several areas and the procession was organized as a two-day procession, so the current Yanshui Bee

Cannon procession starts at 8:00 a.m. on the 14th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year, and finishes at the end of midnight on the next day of the Lantern Festival. During the procession, the sedan chair

arrives at the gate before the family's cannon starts to be rolled out. The host pulls back the red cloth and tears off the red cloth on the turret. Congratulations to the God of Guan Sheng, Christmas and a thousand years, and I, so-and-so

someone, bow in thanks. and other words of the red paper, in front of the gods and gold paper *** with the burning of prayers, then officially ignited their own gun city, so that the gods around the point of receipt of bee

cannon.

People taking part in the bee cannon activity should be prepared with complete protective gear to avoid injury, including a full-face helmet (head), scarf or towel (neck),

cotton or denim jackets and pants, gloves, and flat-soled shoes or sneakers, and should not wear raincoats and other clothing that may melt or catch fire. After you have protected your entire body

, you can then kill the battlefield and take part in this folkloric celebration of rumbling cannons and constant fire. Because of the many years of injuries to tourists, the use of plastic cannons has been banned in recent years, and large-scale trash cleanups are planned after the festival.

The Eight Gods of Taiwan are the eight deities responsible for catching and driving away evil, and are also the names of the ding-tao (阵头).

Introduction

The origin of the Eight Generals is a matter of debate, but it is more plausible that the Eight Generals are a deification of the ancient system of magistrates, which consisted of the Inspection Division, the Longevity Division, the Reward and Goodness Division, the Yin and Yang Division, the Fude Division, the Punishment of Evil Division, the Enrichment Division, and the Speed Reporting Division, of which two are duplicated in the two official generals.

Source

General scholars believe that the eight family generals are the ministries of the Five Fortunes Great Emperor. The Five Fortunes Great Emperors of this theory are in fact the five plague gods of the Spring Plague, Zhang Yuanbo; Summer Plague, Liu Yuanda; Autumn Plague, Zhao Gongming; Winter Plague, Zhong Shigui; and Middle Plague, Shi Wenye, etc., respectively, and it is also said that the Five Fortunes Great Emperors are the Five Princes.

In fact, the common festivals of the gods in Taiwan, such as Chenghuang, Mazu, and Guandijun all often appear in this formation.

Names of the Eight Generals and their instruments of torture

The number of the Eight Generals varies from as few as two to as many as ten, with the addition of a number of police officers. And usually called the eight family generals of the eight criminal division are:

Gan Liu General: Gan Pengfei, Liu Yu

Fan Xie General: Xie Bian, Fan Wuxiu (seventh master, eighth master)

Four seasons of the four gods: that is, spring, summer, autumn and winter four gods, the last name of the respectively, why, Zhang, Xu, Cao. Responsible for torture.

In the Eight Family Generals, the four generals are the main characters and the Four Seasons Gods are the supporting characters.

Influence

In Taiwan, the focus of the Eight Generals' maneuvers is on the capture of Generals Fan and Xie (the Seventh and Eighth Masters), the execution of punishment by Generals Gan and Liu, and the torture by the Four Seasons God.

The eight generals, in the sense of faith, have the authority to punish demons and evils, and are the head of the brave and mighty formation. However, in recent years, many of the Bajiazhuang dingtou have been manipulated by unscrupulous organizations, cornerheads, and gangsters, and often attract unsophisticated teenagers to join them, and after the temple fair, there are fights, the use of drugs and other criminal matters, and the Bajiazhuang have gradually transformed from a traditional art and culture into a criminal group, and some Taiwan gangster organizations and temples have also expanded their organizations by using this dingtou.

Songjiang formation is a combination of martial arts and artistic folklore performances, first appeared in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, is said to be the Shaolin Five Ancestors Boxing ancestor Cai Yuchuan created by a number of hobbyist martial arts in the temple plaza to perform a variety of martial arts moves. The number of performers is not limited, both men and women can, usually thirty-six, seventy-two people, and even more than a hundred people, but one hundred and eight people as a taboo. The number of people performing is not limited, both men and women can be, usually thirty-six people, seventy-two people, or even more than a hundred people, but one hundred and eight people as a taboo. In the past, folk legend has it that when there was chaos in the local community, the Song Jiang Array of martial arts masters could execute the dry sword for the gods of the earth and grain. In the past, folk legend has it that there is chaos in the local area, with Song Jiang array of martial arts masters can execute the dry spears for the gods of earth and grain.

Formation

Song Jiang formation of the formation, rumors are from the novel "Water Margin" Song Jiang siege used in the martial arts formation. Song Jiang array formation, rumored to be from the novel "Water Margin" Song Jiang attacked the city used martial arts formation. The Song Jiang Formation incorporates golden lions, white cranes and other auspicious animals to produce the Golden Lion Formation and the White Crane Formation, which are collectively known as the "Song Jiang Three Formations". The Song Jiang Formation incorporates the Golden Lion, the White Crane and other auspicious animals to produce the Golden Lion Formation and the White Crane Formation, which are collectively known as the Song Jiang Three Formations.

Drill

Flag worship

The 36 generals are divided into two rows, led by the flag and axe wielders, with all the weapons raised and struck, and all the members of the formation shouting at the top of their voices, in order to build up the momentum. It means that the 36 generals are divided into two rows, led by the flag and axe bearers, and all the weapons are raised and shaken and struck with sound, while the members of the formation shout at the top of their voices in order to build up the momentum. The flag and axe salute with three consecutive movements of "left blue dragon, right white tiger, and step on the middle palace", which is usually used to pay homage to the gods, to receive a chariot and a battlefield, or to welcome honored guests. The flag and axe salute with three consecutive "left blue dragon, right white tiger, step on the center court" movements, this ritual is usually used to worship the gods, to receive a chariot, or to welcome VIPs.

Fa Cai Fa Cai

Throwing the Hoop

Collecting the Flag as a Signal

Jumping into and out of the Hoop

Dragon Rolling in the Water

Penetrating the Center

Individual Weapons

Out of the Circle

Centipede Formation

Spider Weaving

Spider Weaving

The "Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger, and Stepping into the Middle Palace" ritual is usually used to pay homage to the gods, receive the army, or greet the VIPs. Spider Web Spider Web

Carrying Pairs

White Crane Formation White Crane Formation

Empty Hand Chained Rings Empty Hand Chained Rings

Gossip Formation Bagua Formation

Development

Taiwan's temples are full of incense, and Songjiang Formation has mostly been spread to the rural areas south of the Chia-Nan plains, with Tainan and Kaohsiung counties and cities having the largest number of them, which was an activity of the children of the rural areas who learnt martial arts in the rural areas during the leisure time in the early days. In the early days, it was an activity for rural children to learn martial arts during their leisure time, but during the Japanese rule era, due to the oppressive rule, it was replaced by a martial arts performance formation for religious activities to honor the gods and entertain the people. The Songjiang Formation, which has been passed down in the rural areas south of the Chianan Plain and is most prevalent in Tainan and Kaohsiung counties and cities, belonged to the activities of rural children learning martial arts during the leisure time in Taiwan in the early days, and was replaced by a martial arts performance formation for religious activities to honor the gods and entertain the people in the era of the Japanese rule due to the high-handedness of the rule. The Song Jiang Formation is usually attached to temples and becomes an art formation in front of the Gods and Buddhas, and the most famous one is the Song Jiang Formation in Neimen Township, Kaohsiung County. Neimen Township has the "Neimen Purple Bamboo Temple" and the "Nanhai Purple Bamboo Temple," which have spared no effort in promoting the inheritance of the ancient culture of the folklore Jiang Formation and have a history of more than one hundred and forty years. The Songjiang Formation is usually attached to temples and becomes an art formation in front of the gods and Buddhas, and the most famous one is the Songjiang Formation in Neimen Township, Kaohsiung County. There are the "Neimen Purple Bamboo Temple" and the "Nanhai Purple Bamboo Temple" in Neimen Township, which have spared no effort in promoting the inheritance of the ancient culture of the folklore river formation and have a history of more than one hundred and forty years. The Song Jiang Formation originated in mainland China, but it seems that the mainland is currently not open to folkloric gatherings for practice. The birthplace of the Song Jiang Formation is in mainland China, but the mainland currently seems to be not open to folk gatherings to rehearse.

Taiwan Dragon Boat Festival

Taiwan, like the mainland, has the most atmospheric and lively Dragon Boat Festival. The main rivers and streams all over Taiwan hold grand dragon boat races on the Dragon Boat Festival day. Rowing dragon boats is originally a folk ritual to worship the water god, the purpose is to eliminate disasters and pray for good luck, and later attached to the story of Qu Yuan, saying that the people are looking for Qu Yuan in a boat. Dragon boat need to go through the "light" ceremony before launching, "light" is the first day of May, please local chief worship water god, and pen in the dragon boat on the dragon eye point clear. The first five dragon boat before the water, people beat gongs and drums, carrying the dragon boat to the riverbank, along the way, people burn incense and worship, firecrackers. After some parade, the dragon boat will be launched into the water race. The race began, only to see the players on the dragon boat in the dong dong drums, in order to row a uniform action to paddle forward. At the end of the river, there is a championship in the center, and the first team to win the championship is the winner, which is often only in a split second. The exciting competition attracts many people to watch and cheer for the competitors from the shore. After the decline of many traditional activities in ancient times, the Dragon Boat Race has become the most popular and representative festive activity of the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Alpine Dance

Taiwan's Alpine compatriots, every Mid-Autumn Festival night, put on their beautiful national costumes and gather at the "Sun-Moon Lake" side, where men and women, under the glowing moonlight, play the game of "Dance of the Balls".

Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a young couple by the Daqing River, the man was called Dajian and the woman was called Shuihua, who lived on fishing. One day, both the sun and the moon suddenly disappeared, the sky was dark, the seedlings withered, the flowers and fruits did not grow, and the insects and birds cried. Dajian and Shuihua decided to get the sun and the moon back. Under the guidance of a white-haired old woman, they used a golden axe to cut down the male dragon that swallowed the sun in a deep pool; and they used golden scissors to kill the female dragon that swallowed the moon. They also took large palm branches and lifted the sun and moon into the sky. In order to conquer the evil dragon, they guarded the edge of the pool forever and became two great mountains, the Great Tip and the Splash. This big pool, people called it "Sun and Moon Pool".

So, every Mid-Autumn Festival, the alpine compatriots miss the dedication of the couple of Dajian and Shuihua, they have to go to the edge of the Sun-Moon Pool to imitate the couple of the Sun and Moon ball, do not let the ball fall to the ground, in order to seek a year of the sun and moon, the wind, rain, and a bumper crop.

Taiwanese Folk Wedding

The ancient Chinese wedding ceremony was "six rites", which was merged into "four rites" in Taiwan, and all of them were inherited from Minnan. Today, Taiwanese folk still retain this custom and have unique customary practices.

On the day of the bride's wedding, she should wear a short white cloth shirt and a white cloth skirt fitted to show chastity. Belly hanging belly bag, bag filled with lead money ("lead" and "edge" Southern Min dialects homophonic, meaning marriage), sugar (sweet meaning), grains, pig's heart (meaning couples with the same heart) and other items. In addition, they have to wear a fur skirt with a pan head sent by the man's family, and insert iron-colored golden arrows into their heads to drive away evil spirits. The way to marry, rituals and customs are complicated. There are two kinds of sedan chair, one is the groom does not have to go to the woman's home to meet, by the matchmaker to lead the bride sedan chair to the woman's home to meet the marriage, said "single top married"; another is the man's home to prepare the son-in-law sedan chair, the bride sedan chair two-seater, the groom himself to the woman's home to meet the bride, said "double top married".

Welcome the wedding party line is a rule, walking in the forefront by a man dragging a bamboo straw (bamboo with root tips bamboo branches), commonly known as "through the foot of the green", said the bride married to the husband's family, the family's health of good luck. Next is the matchmaker sedan chair, uncle sedan chair (the bride's brother) (sedan chair outside the tie a red cloth lantern, said uncle child lamp) uncle sedan chair (groom's brother), dowry (depending on the rich and poor), even after the bride sedan chair (also known as the?). Sedan chair), followed by the children and grandchildren bucket, drums. The bride's sedan chair stops at the door of the man's house, to be selected at an auspicious time, before the groom to meet. The children of the man's family stick two mandarin oranges to show that the couple is complete and auspicious. At this time, the groom uses a fan to hit the top of the bride's sedan chair three times, and uses his feet to "? Sedan chair door" three times. Only then does the bride entrust the groom with the key to the matchmaker to show that she is in heaven. The groom pulls the red silk cloth carried in the bride's hand to the bride's room. During the wedding process, there are many recitations of four auspicious phrases. For example, when a pail bearer carries the pail into the bride's room, he or she recites the words, "The pail is for the children and grandchildren," "Crossing the threshold," and "Harmony between the husband and wife, and all things will be accomplished. "The bucket of descendants will sweep the eight rooms, and the couple will grow old together and share the same heart." The person who picks the bucket will get a small red envelope. When the bride's sedan chair is opened, the bearer reads four lines: "The door of the sedan chair will be opened on both sides, and a pile of gold, silver and treasures will be made, and the bride and son-in-law will enter the room, and they will have children and grandchildren, and they will be able to enter the show. He will also get a small red envelope.

When the guests eat the wedding wine, the friend with two parents and many sons will use the chopsticks first and recite the following words: "If you eat chicken, you will start a family; if you eat fish, you will be born in a good breeding ground. If you eat deer, your whole family will have longevity and prosperity. If you eat pork belly, your children and grandchildren will have a great future. If you eat meat, all things will be round. If you eat fish, you will soon become a lord. If you eat fish tail and fork, you will become a godfather. If you eat the round of happiness, you will have children and grandchildren who will be successful in the imperial examinations. If you eat red dates, you'll have a good year." Then, there is the bride. Many of the above "read four sentences", in addition to expressing congratulations, are expected to the newlyweds home auspicious kind of conventional color.