User:Luo Jiaxin

Laba Festival

罗佳欣 202470081629

Abstract

As an important traditional Chinese festival, Laba Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. It originated from two ancient sacrifical rites known as La and Zha, which were dedicated to honoring ancestors and agricultural deities. Over time, the festival blended agrarian and Buddhist traditions, and gradually evolved into a celebration featuring customs such as eating Laba porridge, honoring ancestors , praying for blessings, and sharing porridge as a charitable act. The festival not only reflects people’s reverence for nature and their hopes for a good harvest and peace, but also embodies the Chinese cultural spirit that values harmony and human compassion.

[1]

Historical Origins of the Laba Festival

The origins of the Laba Festival can be traced back to the ancient Chinese sacrificial traditions known as La and Zha rites. In antiquity, the La sacrifices were dedicated to the Five Household Deities, including the deities of the Door, Gate, Earth, Hearth, and Pathways. People hunted wild animals to offer sacrificias to their ancestors and these deities, praying for blessings from their ancestors and a smooth year ahead. During the Zhou Dynasty, the Zha rites was held at year’s end to celebrate a bountiful harvest. The sacrifices were primarily offered to deities closely tied to farming, such as Shennong (the Divine Farmer), Sise (the Supervisor of Harvests), therefore，expressing gratitude for the deities’ blessings on the harvest. The La and Zha sacrifices merged after the Han Dynasty. And the time of the La sacrifices was eventually fixed in the twelfth lunar month, laying the historical foundation for the Laba Festival(Tang 2013, 301).

Buddhist Influence: With the introduction of Buddhism into China, the Laba Festival also absorbed Buddhist elements. Legend holds that the Sakyamuni attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. On this day, Buddhist temples would prepare porridge as offerings to the Buddha. Over time, this practice has become a folk tradition, turning the festival into a fusion of indigenous beliefs and foreign religious traditions (Amna Naseem 2022).

Customs of the Laba Festival

Dietary Traditions

The Laba porridge is the most iconic food of the Laba Festival. Though ingredients vary across different regions of China, common components include rice, beans, walnut kernels, melon seeds, lotus seeds, peanuts, raisins, and red dates. Traditionally, people simmer Laba porridge to honor ancestors and deities, enjoy it with family members, and often share it with relatives and friends. Besides Laba porridge, there are other regional foods such as "sparrow-head rice"(Que tou fan)—a dish made by shaping buckwheat dough into bird-head forms and cooking them with mixed grains, Laba tofu in Anhui Province and Laba garlic in northern China(Lv2018,38).

Ceremonial Worship and Prayer For Blessings

Worship and blessings are an important part of the Laba Festival. On this day, folks often hang ancestral portraits at home and burn incense for remembrance and worship. Offerings like Laba porridge are presented to deities such as the God of Agriculture, the Door God, and the kitchen God in hopes of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and family well-being next year. These practices not only preserve the essence of ancient agrarian culture but also embody people's aspirations for a better life.

Folk Activities

The Laba Festival features a variety of folk activities that reflect regional characteristics and the wisdom of agrarian culture. In some northern regions, there is a tradition of "storing ice"(cang bing) or "cutting ice" (zao bing). People collect large ice blocks from frozen rivers and store them in ice cellars , either for preserving food or brewing wine. These demonstrate the ancient people’s precise understanding and skillful use of seasonal cycles. Children also engage in playful activities such as "pulling ice horses,"(la bing ma) —they slide across frozen surfaces or drag ice blocks. These joyful customs carry a symbolic meaning—breaking the ice to welcome the coming of spring.

Cultural Connotations of the Laba Festival

A Microcosm of Agrarian Civilization

The Laba Festival embodies the core futures of China’s agrarian civilization, offering a concentrated reflection of the lifestyle and spiritual beliefs of its traditional farming society. In ancient times, the customs of Zha and La rites originated from farmers' reverence for the rhythms of nature and their gratitude toward agricultural deities. These rituals reflect how people, at the end of the year, reviewed the fruits of their labor through rituals and food traditions, while also ushering in a new cycle of farming with sincerity and hope.The Laba porridge, made from a variety of grains and cereals, symbolizes a bountiful harvest, prosperity, and well-being. It reflects both the farmers' appreciation for nature’s bounty and their aspirations for continued abundance. Other customs, such as "Feeding Trees," "Breaking Ice," and "Winter Storage” are extensions of traditional agricultural wisdom. They reflect a way of life attuned to seasonal changes, rooted in reverence for nature, and characterized by adaptability and ecological awareness. In essence, the rituals and customs of the Laba Festival not only reflect the rhythm of agrarian society, but also profoundly embody the traditional values of harmonious coexistence between humans, the land, and the natural world. They vivdly express the rich heritage of Chinese agrarian culture.

Gratitude and Blessings

The sense of gratitude of the Laba Festival is reflected in the reverence and reciprocation towards nature, ancestors, and deities. Laba porridge, made from the essence of five grains, is offered to nature. In northern China, farmers honored the “Eight La Deities,” thanking cats and tigers for catching grain-stealing mice. In the south, porridge was smeared on fruit trees—a gesture of gratitude for the land and a prayer for favorable weather and fruitful harvests in the coming year. Gratitude toward ancestors was even more direct. In eastern Gansu, folks hung ancestral portraits (yingtu) in their home(Long 2015,223), and offered porridge as a tribute; in Shanxi, clans gathered in ancestral halls for collective worship—embodying the ethical tenet that "every grain traces back to its origin”.The festival also carries meanings of warding off disease and praying for health and safety. In the north, “ice divination” involved interpreting ice patterns to predict the year’s fortunes. In Hubei, the "Laba Drum Exorcism" was believed to drive away evil spirits and disasters—a traditional way for ancient people to cope with uncertainty and express hopes for peace and well-being.

The Fusion of Religion and Humanism

With the introduction and spread of Buddhism, the Laba Festival gradually took on religious significance, especially as it came to be regarded as the day marking the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. On this day, Buddhist temples hold “Bathing the Buddha Ceremony” and prepare “Laba porridge” as an offering to the Buddha and distribute to the public. These practices embodies Buddhism’s ideals of compassion and universal salvation(Gao et Zhou 2025,74) . At the same time, traditional folk customs—such as worshipping deities, honoring ancestors, praying for blessings, and sharing porridge—are still widely observed. These customs closely intertwine religious rituals with ethics and interpersonal sentiments. Thus, the Laba Festival stands as a prime example of the harmonious integration of religious faith and humanistic spirit.

Terms and Expressions

ancestor worship 祭祖

praying for blessings 祈福

Bathing the Buddha Ceremony 浴佛会

the day of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment 释迦牟尼成道日

universal salvation 普济

agrarian culture 农耕文化

Zha rites 蜡祭

La rites 腊祭

ancestral portrait (Yingtu) 影图

Five Household Deities 五祀

Questions

1.What are the special foods of the Laba Festival? Please give at least two examples.

2.What cultural connotations does the Laba Festival carry?

3.What are the ways to worship ancestors during the Laba Festival? Give at least two examples.

Answers

1.Laba porridge, Laba tofu and Laba garlic.

2.It represents a microcosm of agrarian civilization, embodies people’s reverence towards nature, ancestors, and deities, and stands as a prime example of the harmonious integration of religious faith and humanistic spirit.

3.In eastern Gansu, folks hang ancestral portraits (yingtu) in their home, and offer porridge as a tribute; In Shanxi, clans gather in ancestral halls for collective worship.

References

[1]Amna Naseem.The Laba Festival[EB/OL].Youlin Magazine, 2022-01-10[2025-06-18].[2]

[2]高忠严,周晓丽. 腊八节俗的文化阐释与传承启示 [J]. 中北大学学报(社会科学版), 2025, 41 (01): 71-80.[3] Gao Zhongyan, Zhou Xiaoli. Cultural Interpretation and Inheritance Implications of Laba Festival Customs[J].Journal of North University of China(Social Science Edition),2025,41(01):71-80.

[3]隆滟. 陇东农耕节俗文化的当代价值——以腊八节为例 [J]. 甘肃社会科学, 2015, (02): 222-225.[4] Long Yan.The Contemporary Value of Agricultural Festival Culture in Eastern Gansu——A Case Study of the Laba Festival [J].Gansu Social Sciences,2015,(02)：222-225.

[4]吕传彬. 腊八节和腊八粥 [J]. 档案时空, 2018, (01): 38-39.[5] Lv Chuanbin.The Laba Festival and Laba Porridge [J]. Archives Time and Space,2018,(01):38-39.

[5]汤玫英. 腊八节的农耕文化意义探究 [J]. 农业考古, 2013, (04): 301-303.[6] Tang Meiying. An Exploration of the Agricultural Cultural Significance of the Laba Festival [J].Agricultural Archaeology,2013,(04):301-303.

AI Statement

Before writing my final paper, I read some literature about the Laba Festival, and then determined the framework of the paper.

When writing the first draft, most of the content was completed through my own efforts. However, to help me produce a more refined paper, I used the following AI chatbots : ChatGPT and Kimi to expand the content of cultural connotations of the Laba Festival. I have promoted the two chatbots with the following prompt: “One of the cultural connotations of the Laba Festival is that it is a microcosm of agrarian civilization. Please elaborate on this topic.” I found the following problem with outcomes: the content is too broad. Therefore, I revised the prompt as: “Please summarize in 200–300 words.”

After completing the first draft, I used ChatGPT and Deepseek to refine the language of the initial draft, focusing on enhancing fluency, logical coherence and conciseness. I have promoted the two chatbots with the following prompt: “Please help me optimize this paper, particularly focusing on linguistic aspects including fluency, logical coherence, and conciseness ”. I found the following problem with the outcome: some parts of the paper were changed. I revised prompt as :“Please try not to modify the content.” I then revised the first draft based on the suggestions from ChatGPT and Deepseek.

Once the content was finalized, I translated the paper into English. During the translation process, I consulted ChatGPT and Deepseek about how to translate some terms and phrases, such as “门、户、土神、灶、行等五祀” , “腊祭” , and “蜡祭”.

After translation, I used ChatGPT and Deepseek to proofread the English version. I have promoted chatbots with the following prompts: “Please focus on checking whether the translation accurately conveys the meaning of the original text. Are there any omissions, mistranslations, or over-interpretations? Are there any awkward or ungrammatical sentences?” I then revised the translation based on their outcomes.

Through the above steps, I completed my final paper.In short, AI tools merely played a supporting role.

腊八节

罗佳欣 202470081629

摘要

腊八节是中国传统的重要节日，定于农历腊月初八，起源于古代的腊祭与蜡祭，用于祭祀祖先与农业神灵，寄托人们岁末感恩与祈愿。随着历史发展，节日融合农耕文化与佛教传统，形成了吃腊八粥、祭祖祈福、施粥行善等丰富习俗。它不仅表达了人们敬天顺时、祈求丰收与平安的心愿，也彰显了中华民族崇尚和谐的人文精神。

腊八节的历史起源

古代“蜡祭”与“腊祭”的传统：腊八节可追溯至古代的腊祭和蜡祭风俗。上古时代，腊祭的祭祀对象包括门、户、中霤（土神）、灶、行等五祀。人们通过打猎获取禽兽祭祀祖先与神灵，祈求祖先庇佑与顺遂。周代的蜡祭则是庆祝丰收的年终祭礼，主要祭祀农业生产密切相关的神，如神农氏先啬、司啬等，以感谢对农业生产的护佑。汉代后，腊祭与蜡祭逐渐合一，时间固定于腊月，成为腊八节的历史基础 (汤玫英2013, 301)。

佛教文化影响：佛教传入中国后，腊八节又融合了佛教文化。相传释迦牟尼于腊月初八得道成佛，佛教寺院会在此日煮粥敬佛，这一习俗逐渐融入民间，使腊八节成为本土信仰与外来宗教文化交融的体现 (Amna Naseem 2022)。

腊八节的节日习俗

饮食习俗

腊八粥是腊八节最具代表性的食物。各地食材虽有差异，但常见原料包括米、豆、核桃仁、瓜子、莲子、花生、葡萄干、红枣等。人们用腊八粥祭祖祭神，家人团聚食用，也会馈赠亲朋好友。除了腊八粥以外，民间还有“雀头饭”（用荞麦做成鸟头形状与杂粮同煮，寓意除雀护粮）、安徽“腊八豆腐”、北方的“腊八蒜”等多样食俗（吕传彬2018,38）。

祭祀与祈福

祭祀祈福活动是腊八节的重要仪式。人们通常会在家中悬挂祖先画像，上香祭奠，缅怀先祖。同时，会以腊八粥等供品，祭农神、门神、灶神等，祈求来年风调雨顺、五谷丰登、家人平安。这些活动不仅传承了古老的农耕文化，也寄托了人们对美好生活的向往和追求。

民俗活动

腊八节也有丰富的民俗活动，体现地方特色与农耕智慧。北方一些地区有“藏冰”或“凿冰”的传统，将河中冰块储藏于冰窖，用于来年夏季保鲜食物或酿酒，体现古人对自然时令的精确把握与利用。儿童还会“拉冰马”嬉戏，在冰上滑行或拖拽冰块，寓意“破冰迎春”。

腊八节的文化内涵

农耕文明的缩影

腊八节反映了农耕文明的核心特征，是中华农业社会生活方式和精神信仰的集中缩影。在古代，腊八节所承载的“蜡祭”“腊祭”习俗，源自农人对自然节律的顺应和对农业神明的感恩，它记录着人们在年终岁末，通过祭祀与食俗总结过去一年的劳作成果，并以虔敬的仪式迎接新一轮耕种生活的开始。节日中所食用的腊八粥，通常由多种五谷杂粮熬制而成，象征五谷丰登、物阜民安，也体现了农民对自然恩赐的感激和对未来丰收的期盼。此外，诸如“喂树”“敲冰”“冬藏”等节日行为，都是传统农业生产经验的延伸，表现出人们因地制宜、顺应时节、敬天爱物的生活智慧。可以说，腊八节所展现的种种仪式与风俗，不仅是对农耕社会生产节律的回应，更深刻反映了人与土地、与自然和谐共生的传统观念，是中华农耕文化深厚底蕴的鲜活表达。

感恩与祈福

腊八节的感恩意识体现在对自然、祖先与神灵的敬畏与回馈。腊八粥汇聚五谷精华敬献自然——北方农人祭祀“八腊神”，感谢猫虎捕鼠护粮；南方以粥涂抹果树，感恩土地，并祈求来年风调雨顺。祭祖感恩更为直接，如陇东悬挂“影图”献粥（隆滟2015, 223），山西宗族祠堂集体祭拜，表达“一粥一饭不忘本源”的伦理情怀。节日也蕴含抵御灾疫、祈求安康的寓意。北方“冻冰占验”以冰纹预测年景，湖北“腊鼓驱疫”通过仪式驱邪压灾，体现古人化解不安与祈愿安泰的方式。

宗教与人文融合

佛教将腊八节进一步宗教化，作为释迦牟尼成道之日，寺院举行“浴佛会”，熬粥供佛、布施大众，体现佛教慈悲与普济之道（高忠严,周晓丽2025,74）。与此同时，民间仍保留祭祖敬神、送粥祈福等传统习俗，彰显宗教仪式与日常伦理、人际情感的结合，使腊八节成为宗教信仰与人文精神交融的典范。

术语表达

ancestor worship 祭祖

praying for blessings 祈福

Bathing the Buddha Ceremony 浴佛会

the day of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment 释迦牟尼成道日

universal salvation 普济

agrarian culture 农耕文化

Zha rites 蜡祭

La rites 腊祭

ancestral portrait (Yingtu) 影图

Five Household Deities 五祀

问题

1.腊八节有哪些特色食物？至少举出两个例子。

2.腊八节承载了哪些文化内涵？

3.腊八节有哪些祭祖方式？至少举出两个例子？

答案

1.腊八粥、腊八豆腐、腊八蒜。

2.腊八节是农耕文明的缩影；表达了人们对自然、祖先及神灵的敬畏与感激；是宗教信仰与人文精神交融的典范。

3.在陇东地区，人们会在家中悬挂“影图”献粥；在山西，宗族祠堂会集体祭拜。

参考文献

[1]Amna Naseem.The Laba Festival[EB/OL].Youlin Magazine, 2024-01-15[2025-06-18].[7]

[2]高忠严,周晓丽. 腊八节俗的文化阐释与传承启示 [J]. 中北大学学报(社会科学版), 2025, 41 (01): 71-80.[8]

[3]隆滟. 陇东农耕节俗文化的当代价值——以腊八节为例 [J]. 甘肃社会科学, 2015, (02): 222-225.[9]

[4]吕传彬. 腊八节和腊八粥 [J]. 档案时空, 2018, (01): 38-39.[10]

[5]汤玫英. 腊八节的农耕文化意义探究 [J]. 农业考古, 2013, (04): 301-303.[11]

AI声明

在撰写论文之前，我阅读了相关的文献，确定了论文的框架。

撰写初稿的过程中，大部分内容是我查阅资料完成的，但也使用了ChatGPT、kimi对文化内涵那部分进行内容的扩充，提示词是“腊八节的文化内涵之一是农耕文明的缩影，请展开讲讲”。我发现给出的结果特别宽泛，我修改指令为“请用200-300字总结”。

撰写完初稿后，我用ChatGPT以及Deepseek 对初稿进行了语言层面的优化，重点提升语言的流畅性、逻辑性与简洁性。我输入的指令是“请帮我优化这篇论文，主要是语言方面的，包括语言的流畅性，逻辑性，简洁性。”给出这个指令后，论文的一些内容也修改了。于是，我给出指令“尽量不要修改文章内容”。随后，我参考ChatGPT以及Deepseek输出的内容，修改初稿。

最终确定好内容之后，我翻译了中本版的论文，在翻译过程中，询问ChatGPT以及Deepseek一些词语句子的翻译，比如说：“门、户、土神、灶、行等五祀”，“腊祭”，“蜡祭”等。 翻译后完，我用ChatGPT及Deepseek对我的译文进行了校对，给出的指令是“重点检查译文是否忠实传达了原文的意思？有无漏译、错译、过度解读？有无生硬、拗口的句子？检查是否有语法错误。”随后，我根据两个模型校对的结果，进行译文的修改。

通过以上这些步骤，我完成了我的期末论文。总之，AI工具仅起到了辅助作用。