The origin of Xiayuan Festival is originally related to Taoism

What is the origin of the Lower Yuan Festival? The Lower Yuan Festival is on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month every year. It is said to be the Ghost Festival, and people have the custom of offering sacrifices on the Lower Yuan Festival. Next, let’s take a look at some scientific knowledge about the Lower Yuan Festival.

What is the origin of Xiayuan Festival?

1. The original origin of the Lower Yuan Festival is related to Taoism. Taoism has three officials, namely the Heavenly Official, the Earthly Official, and the Water Official. The Heavenly Official bestows blessings, the Earthly Official forgives sins, and the Water Official relieves disasters. The birthdays of these three officials are the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, and the fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month. These three days are also called the Shangyuan Festival, the Zhongyuan Festival, and the Xiayuan Festival.
2. In folk legends, the full name of the Water Official of the Lower Yuan Festival is "Five Qi Three Ranks Water Official who Relieves Disasters". He is in charge of the Nine Rivers and Four Rivers, Three Rivers and Five Seas, and Twelve Creeks. He is in charge of the register of dead souls and ghosts, and records the merits and demerits of all living beings. Legend has it that on the fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month every year, the Water God examines the records of all living beings and determines their rewards and rebirths according to their good and evil deeds.

Records about Xiayuan Festival

1. According to the "Chinese Customs", "The 15th day of October is the Lower Yuan Festival. It is said that it is the day when the Water Palace will relieve disasters, and some people also fast and recite scriptures." This means that on the day of the Lower Yuan Festival, Taoist temples will definitely hold related ceremonies.
2. Dreams of the Southern Song Dynasty by Wu Zimu: "On the 15th day of (October), the Water God will help the common people solve their problems. The palaces, temples, and common people will hold fasts and hold sacrifices, either to help them solve their problems or to pray for the dead." This means that the Lower Lantern Festival is the birthday of the Water God, and the Water God will help the common people solve their problems on that day.
3. "Xuanhua County New Records" records: "It is said that on the day of the Ghost Festival, people worship their ancestors and welcome the Water God in order to get relief from their troubles and a happy and healthy life.

Customs and activities related to the Xiayuan Festival

1. Every year during the Lower Yuan Festival, Taoism will hold relevant fasting ceremonies. On the one hand, it is to express gratitude to the gods for their gifts and pray for the gods' blessings. On the other hand, it is to make good connections, spread love, and sow blessings.
2. Because the Lower Yuan Festival happens to be the season when the harvest is completed, the Lower Yuan Festival has gradually evolved into a day for folks to worship the souls of their ancestors, thank God for the blessings, and pray for good weather in the coming year.
3. In addition, on the day of the Lower Yuan Festival, there is a folk custom of craftsmen offering sacrifices to the furnace god. The furnace god is Laozi, which probably originated from the Taoist custom of using furnace to make elixirs.