The Huaiyang Temple Fair, also known as the February Fair, starts from February 2nd to March 3rd of the lunar calendar every year and lasts for one month.
The various folk entertainment activities during the temple fair are even more fascinating. Compared with other temple fairs, the customs of Taihaoling Temple Fair have two very unique features: one is "carrying scriptures and picking up scriptures"; It is called "flower basket". This is a relatively primitive dance form for worshiping ancestors and entertaining gods. During the temple fair, these "Jingtiao groups" sang and danced in front of the Taihao Mausoleum, often attracting many devotees who came to offer incense to stop and watch. When the dance reached its climax, the dancers walked to the middle and passed back to back, with their two tails touching, symbolizing Fuxi, The state of intertwining between Nuwa and Nuwa. Most of its lyrics are related to Fuxi and Nuwa. Some of the movements of this dance are basically consistent with the images of Fuxi and Nuwa mating in the Han Dynasty stone portraits with human heads and dragon bodies. It is a primitive custom of worshiping the reproductive function.
The second unique custom is the "mud dog" and cloth tiger that can be seen everywhere at temple fairs. The mud dog is a kind of clay toy sold at temple fairs. It makes a sound when blown. Local people explain that it is a sacred dog that guards mausoleums and is a sacred object for worshiping ancestors. If the mud dog is given to children or relatives and friends, it can eliminate diseases and bring good luck and peace. People buy it one after another and take it back to their hometowns.
Welcome to Huaiyang!