The extension of plant worship

For example, there is an elm tree in Liangwan Village, Linxian County. Locals claim that elves live on it, and many people seek treatment. In Yangjialing Village, which has only over 400 people, 80 people have treated this tree. Different offerings were made for healing. In neighboring villages, there are also the old locust trees in Shengliping and the jujube trees in Heijiata. They are both objects of worship. If the help is effective, plaques will be hung on the big trees.

For another example, in Xicetian Village, Datong County, people pay a lot of attention to the two old elm trees in Baozitou. When building a house or digging a cave, the main entrance must not face the old elm tree from north to south. Otherwise, disasters will occur. People think that these two trees are the places where the great immortal is possessed. Children are not allowed to climb the tree to shake the magpies, and they are not allowed to cut branches and leaves randomly. Whenever there is a severe drought, , the elders in the village will bring wine and food under the tree to pray for rain. Although the young people in the village don't care much about this, they don't dare to touch the tree casually. According to the old man, these two old elm trees were planted during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty.

In Yanggao County, people in Luanshi Village and Maying Village are in awe of an old willow tree at the junction of the two villages and a large white rock next to the old tree. Whenever someone in the village is sick, the women in the family will offer incense to old trees and big rocks. They often bring two fish, half a bottle of wine and a box of cigarettes, light cigarettes and pour wine to offer the two gods, and ask for Treat illnesses and save lives.

The worship of old trees is extremely common in rural Shanxi. The above are just a few examples. Because it is believed that trees have a close relationship with the soul, a custom has been circulating in China since the Han Dynasty, that is, planting trees on graveyards to comfort the souls of the deceased. During folk burials, a tree is always planted on the grave of an old friend. A tree, or a branch inserted into it, is called a "soul-attracting flag." Because trees are alive, people think that this can attract souls to heaven. Moreover, it is said that planting pine and cypress on the grave can protect the body from monsters. People believe that the withering and prosperity of the trees on the grave reflects the safety of the undead underground. Therefore, it is extremely taboo to destroy trees in other people's graveyards.

At the foot of Liuling Mountain in Longbao Village, Yanggao County, it is very difficult to draw water. It takes more than 120 meters to drill a well before water can be seen. Based on this, the villagers in the village have developed a mentality of worshiping an ancient well that was drilled in the third year of Qianlong's reign. The well is 117 meters long and has dried up to only more than 40 meters. Whenever an infectious disease is prevalent, the infected people always hold ancestor worship activities at this dry well. You must sleep near water. When making a wish, you should go out and pick some Chinese herbal medicines, remove the leaves, mix them with wine, and throw them into the well to express your gratitude.

What’s interesting is that when the village prays for rain, a white rooster is always sacrificed at the well. When the statue of the Dragon King passes by the well, another white rooster must be killed. Rooster and egg-laying black hen. After seven days, when the prayer for rain is over, another yellow hen that is more than seven years old is killed and sacrificed to pray for rain. This place is full of witchcraft such as association and association.

Every time after the autumn harvest, one pound of grains and grains are put into bags, a series of incense-burning and kowtow ceremonies are held, and then cannons are fired and thrown into the well to thank the well for its blessing.

In Jiaocheng, it is said that the third day of the sixth lunar month every year is the birthday of the well. In the past, every family would kill sheep and go to the well to offer sacrifices. The scene was quite grand, but now it is just a simple ceremony. In areas where water resources are scarce, any kind of request and worship for water, wells, and rain is actually more than just a belief. This custom reflects people's need for survival and their desire for water.

So, whether it is a well or a tree, farmers living in nature also endow them with the meaning of faith, hope and some kind of omen. Most ancient trees would rather die of old age than be cut down. Peach tree Peaches are given the meaning of longevity, and the peach tree is also used to ward off evil spirits. Willow trees are full of spring, and weeping willow branches always mean vitality. Therefore, when people visit graves during the Qingming Festival, they break willow branches to offer sacrifices to the deceased. Willows are also nectar, so when praying for rain, you always wear a willow hat or put willow branches in a nectar bottle.

The same is true for stone. Because of its own characteristics, people use it as a townhouse. Not only private houses, but also palaces, government temples, and regular marbles have always been used as anchors. As the saying goes, "stones can be used to suppress vampires and suppress disasters." The so-called stone inscriptions can be used to anchor houses and temples, making them stable and solid. .

The threshing floor and wheat field are important places for farmers to harvest grain. In rural areas, you must be very careful when choosing a venue. Some places need to be determined by Mr. Qing Feng Shui, and an auspicious day can be chosen after worshiping the land god. Each scene should generally be kept clean, and unlucky words such as "It's over" should be avoided during the scene. In some villages in Shanxi, women, especially pregnant women, are not allowed to enter the fields to thresh wheat.

In the Luliang area, on the day of threshing, all men who participate in threshing have to have a meal together on the field. The staple food is oil cake which expresses happiness. Even male guests who are lucky enough to pass by can enjoy this kind of preferential treatment. After all the millet is harvested, every household will make 15 rice flour eggs and rice flour toads, burn incense and kowtow in front of the grain pile, and push all these things away. Putting it into the grain pile, it is said that this can make the grain pile grow taller and bigger.

In the central Shanxi area, people also worship something called "Tujia". The so-called "Tujia" is a rectangular column built in the center of the yard and built with bricks or stones. The outside is smooth with mud. It varies in height, usually 3 feet high. Normally nothing can be placed on it, especially It is taboo to place waste and dirt, and they must be cleaned cleanly. During festivals or when giving birth, old ladies have to kowtow to the "Tujia". When they have bad luck or lose money, they also ask for "Tujia". "Tujia" blessing, especially when you have rash or illness, it is often disrespectful to the "Tujia" and has offended someone. In this case, you often have to rebuild the "Tujia" and make a wish to play or drink. , return the wish at that time to bless the happiness and health of the whole family.