On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, families were busy preparing food and decorations for the reunion, and the old people sat in the small pavilion in the village as usual, chatting and playing chess while basking in the sun.
Among them, 76-year-old Lao Yichen is the most experienced "living map" in this village, he has been familiar with the geographical location, topography and surrounding environment of the entire village since he was a child, and has seen more of the world than anyone else, so the villagers are willing to ask him for advice when they encounter places they don't know.
While he was talking, another man interrupted him and asked curiously about the fact that the next day would be the thirtieth day of the lunar month, and that the New Year's Eve would soon be coming again.
After listening to this, the man silently responded with a "time flies", then shrugged his shoulders, and then threw himself back into the chess game or small talk in front of him, as if he had not heard what he had just said.
At this point, the others nodded in agreement, and then went back to their own business, as if they hadn't heard the discussion.
But Lao Yichen pondered for a while, and then said mysteriously: "Have you heard, next year will be 'Qinglong meets no spring'." The dragons, dogs, cows, and rabbits in our village must be vigilant. His tone was a little painful, which made everyone present feel nervous. "The green dragon meets no spring", this is a folk proverb, which means that in some years, the green dragon constellation and the vernal equinox solar terms will collide, causing the green dragon constellation to lose its strength and adversely affect the entire astrological sign.
And according to Lao Yichen, such a year is usually more unlucky, will bring all kinds of disasters and misfortune, his words caused everyone to exclaim, everyone began to talk about it, guessing what the fortune will be next year.
When the others heard this, they all stopped what they were doing, put down what they were doing, and looked at Lao Yichen with great interest, expecting him to further explain this uncommon statement, and they were all very curious to know what this statement was and why it was so.
Lao Yichen took a deep breath, slowly put down the chess pieces in his hand, and then crossed his hands on his knees, looked at everyone present with a stern expression, and explained in a low voice: "In the legend of our village, the 'Green Dragon' is regarded as the god of the East, guarding this land and its inhabitants.
We need to pay special attention to the fact that if no spring means that there is no beginning of spring in 2024, then it means that this year's beginning of spring has passed, so there will be no spring. This is because the beginning of the spring solar term refers to the solar term when the sun reaches 315 degrees of yellow longitude, which represents the beginning of spring and generally occurs around February 4 every year. Therefore, if there is no spring solar term in 2024, it means that there will be no spring in the whole of 2024, which is a relatively special phenomenon.
Speaking of which, he was supported by crutches, a little unsteady on his feet, and the worry on his face was also obvious. He told us that this is a kind of "black year" without the beginning of spring, which means that the first month of the new year is not full of sunlight, and it is often cloudy or rainy. During such a month, people's mood is often affected and becomes melancholy or irritable.
Moreover, during such a month, people's bodies are also susceptible to some diseases, because the weather is wet or cold, which can easily cause colds or coughs, and he goes on to tell us that if people are not prepared in the following year, then in such a month, all kinds of disasters may occur frequently.
After listening to Lao Yichen's explanation, others said that they had also heard of this statement, and they were deeply touched by it. They all looked out at the snow-covered fields outside the wall, and they all felt the cold that was peculiar to winter, and at the same time, a sense of unrest rose in their hearts, as if they were panicking about what was to come.
Lao Yichen stroked his beard, and said slowly while thinking: "Maybe for you young people, this kind of concept passed down by word of mouth of our older generation is not easy to understand, but I must tell you that it is very important in our opinion. As you know, everyone has their zodiac sign, and in this kind of "green dragon meets no spring" year, dragon people need to pay special attention.
Because in this special year, their natal year encounters "no spring", which may have an impact on their fortunes, therefore, they need to pay special attention and try to avoid some things that may affect their fortunes in order to make their lives go more smoothly."
And people born in the year of the dog are in opposition to those born in the year of the dragon, so dogs that are in opposition to dragons in life should also pay more attention, otherwise in the next year, it is very likely that they will be affected badly and everything will not go well.
"In addition to this, Ox friends should also pay special attention in 2023, because in the zodiac sign, you are in a relationship with the dragon, which means that you may be suppressed at work, encounter some difficulties and challenges. In this case, Ox friends can consider wearing some red items, such as red crystal bracelets, red coats, etc., which can help you boost your self-confidence and energy, and better cope with various challenges at work.
Similarly, Rabbit friends should also pay attention to their words and deeds, because in the zodiac, you and the dragon are in opposition to each other, if you are too impulsive or excessive in words or behavior, it is easy to cause contradictions and conflicts with others, so Rabbit friends can consider wearing more red clothes in daily life, or wearing some red jewelry, which can help you regulate your emotions, enhance self-confidence and energy, and better cope with various challenges."
These are the crystallization of ancient Chinese wisdom that our ancestors passed on to us to benefit from and pass on from generation to generation. These wisdoms include the perception of the world, the perception of life, the understanding of society, and so on.
The person next to him took two steps forward, frowned slightly, and said, "Old Yichen, I think this sounds a bit like superstition." Are we going to believe in these ethereal things, or is there something deep in them that we haven't discovered?"
Lao Yichen said solemnly: "Young man, this is the wisdom of our ancestors for hundreds of years, and every time this kind of 'no spring year', it is very effective to follow these methods to resolve disasters. Lao Yichen frowned, pointed to the sky with his finger, showed a worried expression, and said in a heavy tone: "Young man, this year is a special year, which is called 'no spring year' in our place, that is, there is no solar term of the beginning of spring.
Such a year often brings a lot of bad luck and disasters, which can have a great impact on people's lives and health, so we must take some measures to defuse these disasters and protect ourselves and our families."
As long as you do what I say, you can ensure that all possible disasters can be effectively avoided.
Lao Yichen introduced a seemingly magical theory to everyone, but no one could understand the logic behind this theory. Although Lao Yichen's tone seemed to be very convinced, it shocked everyone. Their hearts were full of doubts, but given the current situation, they could only follow Lao Yichen's advice for the time being.
Lao Yichen's words were like a "directional bomb" exploding in the village, instantly alarming the villagers belonging to dragons, dogs, cows, and rabbits. Although they were skeptical of Lao Yichen's words, they hurriedly began to prepare red clothes just in case of emergency.
Uncle Li and his wife took their three children to the county seat in a dilapidated van to buy a very festive red robe. Aunt Zhang's second aunt began to weave red scarves and gloves with her own hands, ready to give them to relatives and friends during the Spring Festival. Xiao Wangtou's family also took out the red shirts stored at home, washed them cleanly, and waited to show their new clothes during the Spring Festival.
Aunt Ma's red dress that has been treasured for many years is like a baby. Today, Aunt Ma took out the red dress that she had treasured for many years and ironed it flat, and she was going to wear this dress to attend her daughter's wedding.
That winter was particularly cold and long, and the cold atmosphere lasted for a long time, and it was not relieved until the eve of the Spring Festival. The atmosphere in the whole village has become extremely tense, and every family belonging to the dragon dog Niu Rabbit is busy preparing the things needed for the Spring Festival. Red has become the brightest color of this winter, and every household has changed into new red clothes, and the festive red color decorates the whole village with a lively atmosphere.
The traditionally quiet village is now filled with a festive atmosphere.
The villagers believe that through these rituals, they can ward off bad luck in the new year and bless themselves with good luck in the new year.
Compared with the enthusiasm of the old people in the village, the young people are more calm about these Xi.
For example, Uncle Li's son, Li Ming, he thought that Lao Yichen's so-called "no spring year" was groundless, how could there be dragons, oxen, rabbits, and dogs restraining and colliding with each other? However, seeing his father's excitement in buying the red robe, he couldn't bear to tell him the truth, so he just shook his head and hid the red robe in the depths of the cupboard.
Although Xiao Zhang, the son of Aunt Zhang's second aunt, rationally thought that this was completely superstition of the old man, after seeing the red scarf that his mother had worked so hard to weave, he still pretended to be convinced.
Although many young people outwardly cater to the expectations of the elderly and put on the red clothes, they understand in their hearts that it is just a ritual and emotional bond, and has no practical meaning.
The young people are temporarily cooperating out of respect for the elderly, and they sincerely hope for safety and success in the new year. In fact, this behavior is also a manifestation of the tolerance and inheritance of traditional culture.
The Spring Festival is approaching, and the village finally ushered in the "beginning of spring" in the mouth of Lao Yichen, and this day also happens to be the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve.
According to Lao Yichen, on this day, dragons, dogs, oxen, and rabbits all wear red clothes to ward off bad luck in the New Year. Uncle Li's family happily put on red robes and prepared to go to pay New Year's greetings.
They are all convinced that as long as they follow the advice of the elderly, they will definitely have good luck this year.
Although the young people in the village were suspicious, they still put on red clothes according to Lao Yichen's request. They believe that it is a good thing to honor their parents and pass on their traditions, so they decide to continue to "wear red" in the coming year, because it has become a precious cultural memory.
With the arrival of the Lunar New Year, the whole village is filled with a festive atmosphere. Red lanterns can be seen everywhere, and red decorations are everywhere. The faces of the villagers were filled with New Year's joy.
Although this year is "no spring", the scene full of life everywhere is very gratifying and joyful. Perhaps Lao Yichen is right, red does bring good luck.
Today, in the midst of tradition and modernity, these ancient traditions may contain a universal wisdom. Everyone readily accepts it, which can make life more ceremonial and dynamic.
Contemporary people should not be superstitious about some traditions of their predecessors, but they should not completely abandon them, and should treat the traditions of the older generation with an objective and rational attitude, and retain their wisdom and significance.
For example, "the green dragon meets no spring, and the four people wear red" is a good example. This tradition has its roots in superstition, but it reflects the universal sentiment of people to change their fate and pray for good fortune.
The rational inheritance of traditions of great significance can bring positive energy to people's lives, and it is also the wisdom of historical and cultural inheritance.
On the basis of inheriting traditions, contemporary people can integrate modern interpretations and make some traditions play a positive role in life. We both respect the past and embrace the future.