On the evening of February 20^th, the three-day dragon parade commenced in Xinlun Village, Shangguan Town, Dongyuan County, Heyuan City. Around twenty thousand local villagers and tourists participated in this intangible cultural heritage activity with torches in their hands.

It is recorded in the historical document that the parade in Xinlun Village originated during the Zhengde era (1506-1521) of the Ming Dynasty. In accordance with the tradition of respecting seniority, villagers will be following the "torch dragon (bright dragon)" for three consecutive days (the 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th days of the first lunar month), an activity embodying continuous family lineage. During the dragon parade, villagers will perform dragon and lion dances while others follow the torches. On the 12^th day of the first lunar month, they will follow the incense dragon (dark dragon), each carrying incense to embody the perpetuation of their family lines.

At around six o'clock on February 20^th, villagers and tourists queued toreceivetorches and collectively lit them. The team of the "torch dragon" parade made its grand entrance amidst cheers and excitement. Before long, the team commenced its dance and set off. Resembling a long and majestic fire dragon, it snaked its way through the night of Shangguan Town. After parading through Shangguan Town and Xinlun Village, the team returned to the starting point.

Throughout the dragon parade, fireworks and firecrackers lit up the sky along the route. Villagers eagerly greeted the torch dragon, praying for favorable weather and prosperity in the coming year.

Chen Zhiguang, an official from Xinlun Village, explained that the time-honored tradition of the dragon parade in the village is considered a significant folk activity for the continuation of lineage and traditions. Villagers participate in the event to pray for national prosperity, favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and family well-being, igniting enthusiasm for progress in the new year.

On the 12^th day of the lunar month, the village will also hold the activityofincense dragon parade. It's worth mentioning that this year, the incense dragon, measuring 39 meters long, is handcrafted by villagers using bamboo strips and straw, taking nine months to complete.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

【组图】“火龙”出动！河源东源万人追“龙”

2月20日晚，为期三天的上莞镇新轮村追龙活动在河源市东源县上莞镇新轮村正式开启。当地村民与游客约两万人手举火把，体验这一项非遗文化项目活动。

据有关文献史料记载，上莞镇新轮村追龙活动起源于明朝正德年间。新轮村陈公寨按照辈份长幼次序的习俗，连续追“火炬龙（明龙）”三天（正月十一、十二、十三），秉星火繁衍之意。追龙期间，族人舞龙狮，众人手持火炬筒跟随；到了正月十二追香火龙（黑龙）舞香火龙，众人手持香火跟随，秉香火传承之意。

20日晚上六点多，新轮村村民和外地游客排队领取火把并集中点火，“火炬龙”追龙队伍在众人的欢呼雀跃和簇拥下登场，之后开始舞动、有序出发。没过一会儿，追龙队伍如同一条绵长威风、蜿蜒雄浑的火焰长龙围绕在上莞镇夜空盘旋伫立，气势恢宏、磅礴大气。追龙队伍沿着上莞街镇、新轮村等巡游后，最后回到出发点。

追龙期间，烟花、鞭炮伴随着火炬龙一路行进，村民们喜迎火炬龙的到来，祈盼来年风调雨顺、丁财两旺。

东源县上莞镇新轮村干部陈志光介绍，该村的追龙活动沿袭至今，一直被当地视为星火繁衍、香火传承的重大民俗活动，村民参加活动祈求国泰民安、风调雨顺、五谷丰登、家庭安康，激发新一年积极奋进。

农历正月十二，当地还将举行追香火龙活动。值得一提的是，今年活动追的香火龙，是村民用竹篾、稻草手工制作而成，长达39米，制作时间长达9个月。

文、图｜记者 吴奕镇 实习生 刘湉湉 通讯员 陈殷 彭冰 修硕
翻译｜邹晓华