This is the “burning incense dragon” (dragon dance), a national intangible cultural heritage item. In Rucheng, dragon dance is the most popular folk custom activity. The burning incense dragon is quite unlike the common dragon dance. A burning incense dragon has tens of thousands sticks of royal incense, dense and magnificent, weighing up to two or three thousand kilograms, and needs hundreds of men to lift it.

 

 

 

The burning incense dragon is originated from the folk activities of worshiping dragons to stop rain and water in history. It has a history of more than 1,000 years. Its image mainly comes from the murals and sculptures of dragons in the local temples in Rucheng.

 

 

 

In the local area, burning incense dragon is mainly made of straw, palm leaves, bamboo pieces, bamboo poles and special royal incense produced in Rucheng, using the local traditional binding technology.

 

 

 

Because of its simple production materials, exquisite production technology, magnificent modeling, clear performance procedures, and strong public participation, it has typical characteristics of regional culture.

 

 

 

Most of the dragon-calling ceremonies for dance of burning incense dragon are held during the Lantern Festival every year. In more than 120 villages across the county, such as Yidao Village, Jinjiang Village, Houfang Village and Guang’an Village in Tuqiao Town, the burning incense dragons are beautifully shaped and the dragon-calling ceremony is lively. People gather in the open field and wave the dragon lanterns in the night to pray for harvest and peace in the new year.

 

 

 

The burning incense dragon, usually more than ten meters long, is made of straw and bamboo pieces, and the about on-meter-long sticks of incense are inserted into the body of the dragon.

 

 

 

When night falls, when the incense of the dragon is kindled, the whole dragon body shines brightly in the night. Under the guidance of the young man with the fire brocade ball, hundreds of young men lift it together.

 

 

 

The flaming burning incense dragon shuttle back and forth in the streets and lanes of the villages. When it passes the villagers’ houses, each family will light candles and set off firecrackers to welcome the arrival of the dragon, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

  

 

In February, the 2022 Hunan Rural Cultural Tourism Festival (Winter) will kicks off in Rucheng County, when the burning incense dragon show will also be staged.