Xing Tongji | The liveliest Lantern Festival event in all of Guangdong
| The liveliest Lantern Festival event in all of Guangdong.
'To walk through Tongji is to be free of troubles'—this ancient saying that originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties has been passed down among the people of Foshan for hundreds of years🧧
ℹ️ Summary: A native of Foshan introduces you to the origins, customs, and taboos of 'Xing Tongji'
'Xing Tongji' is one of the most solemn traditional folk events in Chancheng, Foshan. During the Lantern Festival, families with young and old go out together, carrying windmills and bells, holding lettuce while walking across the Tongji Bridge, praying for good weather, wealth, and prosperity in the coming year🧧
【Xing Tongji·Historical Origin】
·Four hundred years ago, there were already many merchants in Foshan, and the blocked traffic made everyone very 'troubled (annoyed)'. To facilitate trade with the outside world, the local villagers raised funds to build the Tongji Bridge🧱
·'Only after there is a thoroughfare can there be relief,' this was the beautiful hope of the Foshan merchants when they went out through this bridge, hence the bridge was named 'Tongji Bridge'🤫
·Since the Tongji Bridge had a profound impact on Foshan's economy in the past, people now revisit the old place during the Lantern Festival to pray for a smooth year ahead🧧
【Xing Tongji without Troubles·Explanation】
·It means that by walking across the Tongji Bridge, one will have no troubles in the coming year
【Xing Tongji·Time】
·In old times, people would choose to go out through the Tongji Bridge after reuniting with their families on the Lantern Festival🧳 Therefore, the old folks of Foshan should 'walk through Tongji on the 16th day of the first lunar month'🚶♂️
【Xing Tongji·Location】
📍Located in Chancheng District, Foshan | Tongji Bridge
Generally, people enter the bridge from the north side, and you can navigate to 'Tongji Market'
【Xing Tongji·Essential 'Equipment'】
·Windmill--symbolizing turning fortunes and smooth sailing💫
·Wind chimes--welcoming good fortune🎐
·Lettuce--a homophone for 'making money as desired'🥬
【Tongji Bridge Trivia】
·There are 9 steps up the bridge and 13 steps down🤫 symbolizing the merchant's wish to 'go out on nine and return on thirteen,' meaning that businessmen can turn small capital into big profits
📝Tips:
📎One should walk from north to south across the Tongji Bridge and not turn back⛔️
📎Traditional Foshan people buy lettuce but do not throw it⚠️ nor toss coins. Generally, after making a wish, they take the lettuce home, symbolizing 'attracting wealth to the home'💰 Of course, it's also fine to play for fun, but in the end, it's best to take a piece home with you🤫
📎There's no need to walk three years in a row🙂↔️ You can go every day if you like
📎Traffic control starts at 19. during the event period🚳 After the control, the walking route will be longer, so everyone should proceed according to their ability🚶♂️🚶♀️
📎If possible, it's recommended to walk through Tongji during the day when there are fewer people👨👩👦 If not, in theory, you can go any day of the year😅
📎There are stalls around that offer 'ring toss, magic glue' and others that require careful consideration before spending, so everyone should be cautious of property disputes and being deceived😅
🧧Finally, I wish everyone a trouble-free year after walking through Tongji🧧