Zhang Min's eyes twinkled, and she said, "The beam-lifting ceremony is one of the five major rituals in building a new house. These five rituals are: 1) the 'Feng Shui Master' ritual at the construction site; 2) the 'Water Release' (laying the underground drainage沟) ritual; 3) the door installation ritual; 4) the beam-lifting ritual; 5) the 'Moving into the New House' ritual. To make the 'beam-lifting' ceremony more grand and spectacular, wealthy families often combine the 'beam-lifting' and 'Moving into the New House' rituals."
"Don't beat around the bush. I asked about the origin of the beam-lifting custom."
"Uncle Three, why are you in such a hurry!"
Zhang Min cast her gaze elsewhere and gave a meaningful look to Qin Yu, who was sitting nearby, before smiling and saying to Uncle Three, "This one should be answered by our family's great scholar!"
Zhang Min knew about these rituals because her family had experienced them when building their new house, but it was difficult for her to explain them in detail.
"Um, I'll give it a try. If I get anything wrong, Uncle, don't mock me," Qin Yu said, seeing his cousin's gaze.
"Xiao Yu, just go ahead. If you get anything wrong, Uncle will fill in the gaps," Zhang Yuanqiao encouraged.
"Actually, the custom of beam-lifting has existed since ancient times. As the saying goes: 'A house with a beam is a house with grain; a house without a beam is a house without prosperity.' People believe that a beam must be placed correctly, firmly, and with celebration to bring prosperity to the family. In ancient times, the selection of the beam was also very strict. It had to be a straight and round beam, not crooked, to be used for the beam-lifting..."
Qin Yu spoke confidently, having been interested in these folk customs during his university years and having conducted some research.
"Not bad, you got the meaning of the beam-lifting right. Do you know the procedures involved in the beam-lifting ceremony?"
Zhang Yuanqiao, a teacher, couldn't resist asking more questions, as Qin Yu hadn't been stumped.
"Hehe, Uncle, I do know. The customs for beam-lifting vary by region. In our area, a good day must be chosen for the beam-lifting. The night before, the carpenter and mason place the decorated beam on a table in the new house's hall, with the head facing east (left) and the tail facing west (right). The homeowner then sets out fruits and nuts, and the workers stay with the beam to prevent any impurities or evil spirits from approaching.
During the beam-guarding, the carpenter first performs the beam-accompanying ritual. He grabs a handful of rice from a tea tray and scatters it around the hall, then bows to the beam and says:
'This beam, this beam, is not ordinary. The beam is lifted, steady and strong, red stars shine, and the house is splendid. The family is blessed, the population grows, the elderly live long, and the young bring joy. Officials are promoted, scholars succeed, and all is well, prosperous, and bright.'
After the carpenter recites the beam-accompanying words, he must perform the exorcism ritual. He asks the homeowner for a cup of clean water, drinks it, and sprays it on the beam, saying:
'Look to one side, the world is created, the day is good, the time is fine. The emperor's descendants build a grand hall, living in peace, evil spirits retreat, and evil spirits hide. This beam is accompanied, forever blessed. The sound of the hammer reaches the sky, all the sages accompany the beam, the heavenly evil returns to the clouds, and the earthly evil flows to Luoyang.'
Qin Yu's voice rose and fell, blending with the crackling of the charcoal fire, and the vivid scene of the carpenter reciting the words came to mind for everyone.
"Very good, I didn't expect you to know so much about the beam-lifting custom, Xiao Yu. Continue, and educate them. These old traditions are not understood by many young people nowadays."
Zhang Yuanqiao was very satisfied with Qin Yu's performance. As he said, young people today know very little about traditional customs, and these things might disappear completely in a few decades after the older generation passes away.
"I only knew that the beam-lifting ceremony was quite complex, but I didn't realize there were so many details," another cousin remarked.
Qin Yu nodded, agreeing with his uncle. The goals of today's youth are different, and the fast-paced life leaves little time for understanding these ancient and intricate customs.
"After the exorcism, guests and the homeowner sit in the hall to accompany the beam. At midnight, they prepare a feast to entertain those who stayed up to guard the beam. The homeowner treats the carpenter and mason with great respect, often serving them stewed pork to thank them for their hard work. The homeowner drinks and chats with the carpenter and mason until the night is over, and it's almost dawn.
At this time, the carpenter brings a red-painted axe, ink line, and square to the table, placing the square diagonally to the left front. The mason brings a trowel and measuring tape to the right front. Once everything is ready, a large red rooster is placed on the beam. The carpenter, holding the ink line, walks to the table and says, 'Lu Ban came early, now is the time to lift the beam.' The carpenter then places grains, pens, ink, and paper on the center of the beam, wraps it tightly with red cloth, and sews it with red thread, reciting the beam-tying words:
'In my hand is a piece of silk, a yard and three feet long. Tying it on the left brings wealth and honor, tying it on the right brings success. The family prospers, and the house is filled with glory.'
After reciting, the carpenter and mason each raise a cup of wine, pour it over their heads, and sprinkle it on the beam, saying together:
'In my hand is a cup of wine, wishing for a long and prosperous life. In my hand is a second cup of wine, wishing for generations of prosperity. In my hand is a third cup of wine, wishing for generations of nobility.'
After the wine is poured, the carpenter places the rooster on the beam, saying:
'In my hand is a rooster, with a high head and low tail. Wearing a golden crown and a colorful feather coat. This rooster is not ordinary, it is the rooster for the beam-lifting ceremony!'
The rooster is placed on the beam, symbolizing prosperity. After the beam-lifting ceremony, it is time for the auspicious moment. The carpenter and mason, each holding a rope wrapped in red paper, climb to the top of the main pillar, keeping the rope balanced as they pull it up, reciting:
'Today the beam is lifted, a fortunate day brings good luck. The stars shine brightly, and the house is filled with gold and jade. All is well, and the family prospers.'
The guests, the homeowner, and the villagers all shout in response, 'Good!' The sound echoes through the sky, mingling with the sound of fireworks, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
The mason then recites:
'This beam, this beam, is not ordinary. It grew on the mountain, and today it is the beam. Today the beam is lifted, a fortunate day brings good luck. The house is filled with light, and the family prospers. The elderly live long, and the young bring joy. Scholars succeed, and officials are promoted. Farmers have bountiful harvests, and the family prospers, forever filled with wealth.'
As they recite, the carpenter and mason pull the beam to the top of the main pillar, place it firmly, and lower the rope, throwing up buns, peanuts, candies, and coins. To add to the celebration, they say, 'So many people below, be careful with the axe!' Then they shout, 'The beam is in place, bringing wealth and prosperity. A good day, a good future. Please, throw the buns!' The carpenter and mason sit on the beam, throwing buns and reciting the beam-lifting cheers...'
Qin Yu finished speaking, and the audience was still savoring the details. After a while, someone remarked:
"I didn't realize that to be a good carpenter, one not only needs to be skilled but also knowledgeable about these customs!"
"Actually, in the past, apprentices learned from their masters. When they could perform these rituals, they were considered fully trained."
Uncle Zhang Yuanqiao added, and Qin Yu nodded in agreement. In ancient times, masters were very strict, and becoming a master was not easy.
"Hey, that's not right, Xiao Yu. What you described is different from our local customs. For example, there's no beam-accompanying ritual, and no exorcism ritual," Zhang Hua pointed out after some thought.
"Idiot, think about it. It's a different era now, with steel and concrete houses. Where are the beams? Xiao Yu is talking about the old customs!" Zhang Yuanqiao couldn't stand his son, who had dropped out of school and left home, almost making him sick.
Qin Yu gave Zhang Hua a sympathetic look. Uncle Zhang would always find an opportunity to criticize his son, and everyone was used to it.
Zhang Hua winked at Qin Yu, signaling him to help. Otherwise, his father would find an opportunity to scold him for a long time.
"Actually, even though modern houses don't need beams, the rituals still exist, just in a different form. For example, the exorcism ritual now involves a carpenter walking around the house with a rooster, placing bamboo sticks at each door and corner. As the rooster walks, someone must