Zhonghe Festival – Birthday of the Sun Star Lord
The Zhonghe Festival originated from the activities of worshiping deities in primitive society. There is a folk custom of offering sacrifices to the Spring Dragon, and food often bears names associated with “dragon.” It is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the second day of the second month (the first day of the second lunar month).The “Zhonghe Festival” revolves around spring plowing, serving agricultural society, and is an important agricultural seasonal event. Although the ancient complex folk customs have gradually faded today, as an agricultural festival, it will forever remain in human memory.Later, due to its proximity to the Spring Society and Longtaitou on the second day of the second month, some customs have merged into those celebrations.The “Longtaitou” is also known as Spring Dragon Festival or Qinglong Festival.
The “Zhonghe Festival” is also known as the birthday of the “Sun Star Lord.” During the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Chongzhen, it was changed to March 19. The second day of the second month (the first day of the second lunar month) marks the ancient birthday of Sun Star Lord. The “Zhonghe Festival” was established by Emperor Dezong of Tang – Li Shi in the fifth year of Zhenyuan (789), declaring that February 1 would be designated as “Zhonghe Festival.” Before Emperor Dezong’s decree, it was celebrated on January 1. Later, with historical evolution, it was changed to February 2. Since then, Zhonghe Festival has merged with celebrations for Spring Society and Longtaitou. According to records, “Zhonghe Festival” was proposed by Li Bi, a minister during the Tang Dynasty. Li Bi advocated for establishing Zhonghe Festival for worshiping Gou Mang Shen (the deity associated with agriculture), which also represents worshiping the sun deity.
According to legend, “Zhonghe Festival” marks the birth of the sun. Wei Chi Shu’s record in “Nan Fan Xin Wen” states that Li Bi proposed February 2 as Zhonghe Festival; families would use green bags filled with grains and fruits to exchange gifts among each other, striving for novelty and creativity; even within palaces this practice occurred and was referred to as offering newborns. This indicates that offering newborns is a key feature of Zhonghe Festival activities.
Under the advocacy of emperors during the Tang Dynasty, Zhonghe Festival reached its peak; every year on this day people would celebrate and hold sacrificial activities.
The Zhonghe Festival flourished mainly during the Tang Dynasty; however, since then various dynasties have continued to regard it as a festival. On this day in each dynasty’s capital city ceremonial farming rituals are held symbolically bestowing grains upon people to encourage them in their agricultural endeavors.
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In folk traditions , friends and family often gather together to celebrate Sun Day , drink Zhong He wine , and offer sacrifices to Gou Mang Shen . People often exchange gifts such as knives or rulers , encouraging each other’s hard work . In ancient times , on this day during Zhong He festival , people would prepare delicious snacks and buy seasonal fruits known as [ welcoming wealth fruits ], which everyone in their families joyfully enjoyed . The celebrations for Zhong He festival often continue into the following day .
During Song Dynasty court festivities , fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits were brought into palaces on February two for nobles to taste . Zhou Mi from Song recorded in “Wu Lin Jiu Shi” that during Southern Song period on February two there were vegetable selection entertainment activities held within palaces . At banquets , fresh vegetables were placed in square containers with their names written on silk cloth underneath them for guests to guess; based on their guesses there were rewards or penalties. Due to its entertaining nature many noble households imitated this activity at that time.