Why do we eat Laba porridge on Laba Festival? Do you know the meaning of eating Laba porridge?

Why do we eat Laba porridge on Laba Festival? Eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival is a traditional Chinese custom. Do you know the reason and meaning of eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival? Next, let’s take a look at it together.

Why do we eat Laba porridge on Laba Festival?

To commemorate Sakyamuni

Laba Festival itself is the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. Eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival is said to be in commemoration of Sakyamuni. Legend has it that a long time ago, the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni, ate the gruel sent by the shepherdess Suya, and attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. And this day happened to be the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ryume was the predecessor of Laba porridge. Later generations did not forget the suffering he endured, and ate porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month every year to commemorate him.

In memory of Yue Fei

What was mentioned above is a Western legend. The history of drinking Laba porridge in China began as early as the Song Dynasty. According to folk saying, eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival is to commemorate Yue Fei. It is said that when Yue Fei led his troops to fight against the Jin army in Zhuxian Town, it was the coldest time of winter. Yue's army was poorly fed and clothed, and suffered from hunger and cold. The people sent them porridge one after another. Yue's army had a hearty meal of the "family meal" sent by the people, and returned with a great victory. That day was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. After Yue Fei's death, in order to commemorate him, people would cook porridge with grains, beans and fruits on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, which eventually became a custom.

The meaning of eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival

Eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival is not only commemorative, but also implies warmth, perfection, harmony, auspiciousness, health and so on. Every year on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household cooks a pot of "Laba porridge" for a delicious meal. Not only adults and children eat it, but also some is fed to livestock, chickens and dogs, and some is smeared on doors, walls and trees for good luck. In addition, eating Laba porridge on Laba Festival can cure diseases and suppress evil spirits, because Laba porridge contains red beans that represent evil spirits.