For Fuzhou people, moving is a big deal and very particular. A pair of lanterns, two bamboo poles, and two brooms are essential items for moving in Fuzhou. Why? Because it contains too many profound meanings. This issue of Moving Feng Shui will explain to you the moving customs in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, and what they imply.
Bamboo poles, like lanterns, are a symbol of whether the owner lives in the house. A long time ago, people began to use bamboo poles to dry clothes. When the bamboo poles and clothes are still there, it means that the owner is still living in the house; once the clothes are put away and the bamboo poles are retrieved, it means that the family has left. And when the bamboo pole is raised in a new place to hang clothes, it means that the new owner has arrived. Therefore, this must be used. As for lanterns, in the early days, a pair of big red lanterns would be hung at the door of every house, with the surname of the owner of the house written on them.
Once the lantern is taken down, it means that the family will move away. And when people see new lanterns hung up, they know that there is a new owner in the room. Therefore, hanging lanterns when moving has become one of the most traditional customs among our people. There are also brooms. This custom of bringing brooms when moving to a large extent reflects the traditional virtues of Fuzhou people who value civilization and etiquette. In the past, people in Fuzhou needed to bring two brooms when moving: one was the broom used in the old home, and the other was the broom used in the new home. The meaning is to clean the old house where you originally lived so that others can move in; at the same time, clean your new house so that you can live a clean and happy life. However, this custom has been passed down to this day, and one old broom and one new broom have become two new brooms.
Preparations: two bamboo poles (no limit on length), two brooms, two red buckets, red rope, straw, lighter, and a pair of red lanterns.
Procedure: Before going out, tie both ends of the bamboo pole and the broom with a red rope (some people say that you should also wrap it with Spring Festival couplets in red paper and then tie the red rope), and fill a red bucket with half a bucket. water, and rice in another red bucket. Be careful not to spill water on the way from the old home to the new home, and then put the rice into the rice bucket at the new home;
After arriving at the new home, burn straw at the door (people and things will be the same later) (to cross over straw), first carry the bucket of rice into the door, followed by the bucket of water (this bucket of water can be used later to boil water or cook food, and it means changing the water and soil for the family);
The bamboo pole enters the door, followed by the broom. At this time, sweep the inside 3 times with the broom (which means blessing to sweep in), and close the door for one minute;
Carry the bamboo pole and walk through each room. Go ahead and sweep each room with a broom. Finally, sweep the broom from the door 3 times and close the door for 3 minutes. Then you can let the moving company come in. Then find time to hang up the red lanterns. The ceremony is over.