The Dragon Head-raising Festival
China is a country with a long and rich history. The Double Second Festival（the Dragon Head-raising Festival or Longtaitou Festival） is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It stands for the start of spring and farming.
The dragon plays an important role in Chinese culture. Dragon culture is one of the most popular cultures in China. People celebrated the Dragon Head﹣raising Festival with many customs（习俗） about the dragon in ancient times.
On this special day，people put ashes （灰） in the kitchen. People believed that if the dragon went into their houses，they could have a good luck all year round. People also ate special food. For example，people ate noodles called" dragon whiskers noodles" and dumplings called" dragon ears". Besides，people sent gifts to each other, picked vegetables and went on a spring outing.
Today people hurry to have their hair cut，especially have their children's hair cut on the Dragon Head-raising Festival. They want to make themselves have new looks and have a good year.
A. The food was usually named after the dragon. B. Why is it called" dragon lifting （举起） its head"? C. It has many colorful holidays and festivals. D. Chinese people call themselves" the descendants（后代） of the dragon". E. They thought the dragon could be led into their houses with the help of the ashes. F. Many activities on the Dragon Head﹣raising Festival are to do with the dragon. G. Even though many of the customs have disappeared，the tradition of cutting hair is reaching new heights. |
