腊八节的仪式感

Sense of Ritual of the Laba Festival

“小孩小孩你别馋,过了腊八就是年。”到了农历腊月初八,济南的年味儿就愈发得浓了。熬腊八粥、腌腊八蒜是“过腊八”的重头戏,也是不可或缺的仪式感。关于吃腊八粥,民间有不少传说。一说释迦牟尼在腊八节这天吃了牧羊姑娘煮的粥在菩提树下得道成佛,后世信佛的人每到这天就会举行诵经活动,并煮粥供佛,施粥惠众;一说明朝朱元璋在当皇帝之前,曾将乞讨来的各色米豆混在一起熬粥食用,人们认为食用这种粥能带来好运。往年腊八节这天,千佛山兴国禅寺、崇明寺都有奉送腊八粥的传统,清晨一大早,市民便会排起长长的队伍等待舍粥,图一份节日里的吉祥如意。

With the New Year's festivities still intheair,the Chinese are gearingup for some traditional celebrations,starting with the Laba Festival.Maintraditions for the festival are eating Laba porridge and making Laba garlic.