Ancient Chinese believed the number "ten" symbolized completeness and perfection, representing a cycle that renews itself. Adding one more "one" to ten signifies a fresh beginning.
As the saying goes, "Until the end of the first lunar month, it's still part of the New Year."Visiting relatives before the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month is called "early New Year greetings," while visits before the fifth day of the first lunar month are known as "major New Year greetings." Visits after the fifth day are termed "late New Year greetings." Those unable to pay respects during the peak period due to various reasons will make these visits during these days to maintain proper etiquette. On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, while paying "late New Year greetings," old Beijingers traditionally eat laohesi (a type of stuffed pancake), symbolizing a life lived in harmony and happiness.
Beyond eating laohesi, the eleventh day of the first lunar month is also known as "Son-in-Law Day" and "Firecracker Dragon Festival." What other customs mark this day? Today, Liaoning Xianzhi's editors share the folk traditions surrounding the eleventh day of the first lunar month.
I. Son-in-Law Day
This day is when fathers-in-law host banquets for their sons-in-law, hence the name "Son-in-Law Day."On the second day of the first lunar month, daughters return to their parents' home with their husbands as a reciprocal gesture. On this day, the daughter's family hosts a banquet for the daughter and her husband. Moreover, the daughter and son-in-law must be greeted by the daughter's older brother or younger brother who leaves home in advance to welcome them, signifying the family's respect and esteem for the son-in-law.
II. Eating Laohezi (Box-shaped Pastries)
Laohezi are traditional snacks of old Beijingers. Since "he" (盒) sounds like "harmony" (和), people eat these pastries on the eleventh day of the first lunar month, symbolizing a harmonious and beautiful year ahead.
III. Firecracker Dragon Festival
Originating in Binyang, Guangxi, this festival boasts over 300 years of history. The "firecracker dragon" is a type of dragon dance featuring an exceptionally large dragon—approximately 40 meters long, with variations ranging from 7 to 11 sections.
Legend has it that during the Northern Song Dynasty, when Nong Zhigao led a rebellion, imperial troops and rebel forces fought fiercely in Binyang without a clear victor. The imperial forces devised a plan: on the eleventh day of the first lunar month, the entire city would decorate with firecracker dragons and festive lanterns, while residents would celebrate the Lantern Festival early, creating an atmosphere of joy and harmony throughout the city.Nong Zhigao assumed the enemy would be celebrating and thus lowered their guard, only to be defeated by a surprise attack. Since then, local residents have celebrated the Firecracker Dragon Festival annually on the eleventh day of the first lunar month. In June 2008, the Binyang Firecracker Dragon Festival was included in the second batch of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
IV. Honoring Zi Gu
On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, Zi Gu is honored. Legend holds that Zi Gu was a kind, impoverished maiden in folklore, also known as Zi Gu or Keng San Gu. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Zi Gu died due to poverty. Out of sympathy and remembrance, the people developed the customs of "honoring Zi Gu on the eleventh day of the first lunar month" and "welcoming Zi Gu on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."