Folk Custom of Ciqikou Ancient Town

Custom of Ciqikou Ancient Town – Brief Introduction

At the end of the 20th century, Chinese people strongly appealed for the protection of history and culture of Ciqikou Ancient Town. Then Ciqikou Ancient Town has been included a general plan of protection of traditional culture and history streets. After a series of measures worked, Ciqikou Ancient Town has been regarded as a pearl of ancient Chinese culture of Chongqing Municipality. Larger numbers of people came here to feel the folk custom of Chinese history and culture.

Custom of Ciqikou Ancient Town – Dragon Boat Racing

Ciqikou Ancient Town is the most famous wharf in the lower reaches of the Jialing River. Holding dragon boat races in the Dragon Boat Festival (on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month) is a Chinese tradition custom through the centuries. In the past, there were carpenters specialized in the making of dragon boats in the wharf in Ciqikou Ancient Town.

Dragon Boat Racing has been held many times in Ciqikou Ancient Town and there is a custom about Dragon Boat Racing which is believed by most Chinese people. The Dragon Boat Racing is order to honor of Quyuan, a highly commended official and great poet of State of Chu. During the time of crisis of his country, he was calumniated and sent into exile. Worried about his country but nothing could do, he finally jumped into Miluo River and drowned himself on May 5th in Chinese lunar calendar. Soon after his death, the State of Chu was overthrown and people began to go boating to commemorate him on that day.

Custom of Ciqikou Ancient Town – Float Lanterns on River

Floating lanterns on river is an old tradition custom of Ciqikou Ancient Town. It is held twice a year. One is on Ghost's Day; the other one is in Spring Festival. On these occasions, various kinds of lanterns lay on the riverside. Thousands of people are attracted here to float lanterns.

Chinese people believe that a man is destined to go to the nether world after his death. According to Chinese tradition, July 15th in Chinese lunar calendar is the birthday of a ghost who is in charge of the door of hell. On that day, he will open the door so that the ghosts are able to reunite with their family. On the other hand, people will light lanterns for them to bring them back. Thus the day is called Ghost's Day.

In some areas such as Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality, people even burnt paper houses and Mingbi (a kind of money using in nether world) on that day, hoping to improve their deceased family member's living condition. Accordingly, Buddhism and Taoism also hold ceremonies to help to release souls from purgatory. In Spring Festival, people float lanterns on river again. Then the activity of Float Lanterns on River is becoming a popular custom in Chinese history.

We float lanterns on river is good for our deceased families finding the way back home. But as soon as the end of the festival, they will return back to the nether world without any trouble. We believe that they will bless for living people even in another world just like we miss them so much.