Shanxi is rich in coal resources, and it is bound to have various connections with local people's food, clothing, housing and transportation. Therefore, the role of coal has penetrated into the customs and people's feelings as far back as ancient times, among which building a prosperous fire is a custom in northern Shanxi.
On the New Year's Eve and Lantern Festival, every family should build a tower in front of the courtyard with large pieces of coal, which is called Wanghuo, in order to be auspicious and congratulate the prosperity throughout the year. Put firewood inside, put a red note on the outside, and write the words "full of anger" on it. Just wait until midnight, when the firecrackers are ringing, light the flourishing fire. After ignition, the flame spouted from countless small holes, which was like a floating picture, both to keep out the cold and spectacular. Adults and children gather in a circle, some play games, some set off firecrackers, and all men, women and children will come to warm themselves up in order to "soar to the sky." Children can also walk around the streets to watch and comment on the size of the fire, and whoever has a big fire and is flourishing will have a strong spirit. As the Qing Dynasty's "Datong County Records" said: "On New Year's Day, every family cut firewood and raised the base, which looked like a small floating figure. Send it in time, called Wanghuo. "
nowadays, the custom of building a prosperous fire has developed again. Not only during the Chinese New Year, but also during weddings and funerals or major festivals on weekdays, and some are born in winter to keep warm; Some are lucky in summer. If the scale of Wanghuo is grand and the shape is exquisite, Huairen Wanghuo should be the most important. It has four characteristics: first, excellent coal preparation. Pre-select high-quality raw coal before the Lantern Festival and carefully cut it into neat squares; Second, the shape is beautiful. Master Gao Ming must be hired to build Wanghuo into a vase with a small bottom, a big belly, a top and an empty inside. Only in this way can it burn completely without Wanghuo collapsing. Third, it is increasing year by year. In order to achieve the metaphor that year after year is better than year, it is required that when building a fire, it will be higher than the previous year every year. The specific size of the increase depends on the expectations of the owner. Fourth, the scale is huge. Every year, 5 or 6 huge fires are built in the streets of Huairen County, the largest of which is made of 8 tons of coal, which is more than 1 meters high, which can be described as huge. At the beginning of the Lantern Festival, all these flourishing fires spit out long fire tongues and lick the earth's sky. The red light is dazzling and brilliant, just like flying dragons swallowing clouds, swimming in the splendid world, bringing people the omen of "good luck" and "getting rich". Therefore, hundreds of people in Fiona Fang will come to watch Wanghuo, and some people will turn three times around the biggest Wanghuo, reversing three times, in order to make the whole family safe and auspicious, and all their wishes come true.