论清代台湾的迎春仪

The Ceremony of Welcoming Spring in Taiwan in the Qing Dynasty

迎春仪是古代官方在立春举行的重要仪式,也是民间热烈参与的岁时活动。清代台湾各地方官府都会依制度迎春,立春前一日先在东郊祭祀芒神,再于鼓乐与仪仗前导下,将芒神与土牛迎入城内官署,沿途许多民众争相观看。立春当日由官员持鞭击打牛三次,民众会争抢牛身上的土块,当作吉祥物。官员重视该仪式的古制与原始意义,民间则将其当成开春的习俗及娱乐,虽然双方的认知有异,但也相互交融,成为一种官民共享的活动。

Greeting spring is an important ceremony held by ancient officials on the day of Start of Spring, and it is also an annual festival with enthusiastic participation of the people. In the Qing Dynasty, all local governments in Taiwan welcomed the Spring according to the system. On the day before the Start of Spring, the god of spring were worshipped in the eastern suburbs. Then, under the guidance of drum and music and the Guard of Honor, the god and cattle were welcomed into the government office, and many people competed to watch along the way. The officials whipped the cattle three times, and the people scrambled for the clods on the cattle as mascots. Officials attach importance to the ancient system and original meaning of the ceremony, and the folks regard it as the customs and entertainment of the spring. Although the two sides have different understandings, they also blend with each other and become an activity shared by the government and the people.