NewYearinLingnan The Sugar Lion Competition is a traditional annual custom in Houlong Township, Fengtang Town, Chao'an District, Chaozhou City. Every year on the first day of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the residents of Houlong Township design and create unique offerings of "sugar lions" to pray for a good harvest in the coming year and the safety of the community.
Let's learn how the majestic sugar lion is born! First, knead flour and maltose until they stick together, then paste stripes to form a lion image, and match colors at the same time, finally color the lion.
The old man in the community introduced that the color of the sugar lion is based on the ancient shape; you can paint as you like without breaking away from reality. There is no fixed and uniform color for the lions any year.
After the competition, the "sugar lions" are smashed and distributed to every household for tasting, commonly known as "eating fun", which means a safe and smooth new year.
Sugar Lions are crunchy and sweet, which is the taste of their hometown in the memory of the Houlong people. It is the link between nostalgia and family affection. It also expresses everyone's expectations and yearning for a better life.
“赛糖狮”是潮州市潮安区凤塘镇后陇乡的传统年俗,每年农历二月初一,后陇乡乡民便会精心设计、打造各具特色的供品“糖狮”,以“赛糖狮”方式祈祷来年丰收、合乡平安。然而威风凛凛的糖狮是怎样诞生的呢?
“先把面粉和麦芽糖揉在一起,直至粘连,再贴上条纹构成狮子形象,同时配色,最后给狮子上色。”村里老人介绍道,糖狮的配色仿照古时的造型,可以在不脱离现实的前提下随心所欲地画,每年的狮子没有固定统一的颜色。
“闹热”过后,“糖狮”会被敲碎,并按份额分发给每家每户品尝,俗称“吃兴”,寓意新的一年里平安顺遂。糖块松脆酥甜,是后陇人记忆中的家乡味道,是联络乡情亲情的纽带,也寄托着大家对美好生活的期待和向往。