Deqing people throw firecrackers at lions, which has two meanings: one is to wake up the hibernating lions with firecrackers, wake them up, turn them into lions, and pray for the prosperity of the New Year and the spirit of dragon and horse; 2. Exploding lions is also called "firecrackers to attack lions", and "attack" is homophonic with "gong" to show respect for lions.
Fried fire lions are also called dancing fire lions and burning fire lions. The fire lion evolved from the legendary "Nian beast" and has a single horn. Lion dancers raise the "one-horned lion" to celebrate the New Year, and worshippers light firecrackers and throw them. Everyone took turns to attack, aiming to blow the fire lion to pieces, so as to exorcise evil spirits, pray for peace in the four seasons and abundant crops.
The process of blowing up lions
It's scary to hear the name "fried lion", but in fact, "lion" is not a real lion, but a lion dance team composed of professionally trained personnel. First, the lion dance team picks green flowers and pays New Year greetings to merchants or owners. After some dancing, the remaining two people who play the lion "blow up the lion".
The lion dance team kept dancing and performing along every household and shop in the market town, sending blessings and good luck to the owner. People prepare many firecrackers at home and set off firecrackers with friends and relatives to "attack the lion".
"Fried", in Deqing dialect, is to throw lit firecrackers at the "lion". Everyone surrounded the "lion", lit firecrackers and threw them at the lion, which was enough to blow the brand-new "lion" to the ground and destroy it.