Shanxi New Year Custom: Lighting the Wanghuo

在山西，春节的喜庆不仅藏在饺子的香气与窗花的红艳中，也凝聚于除夕夜那团熊熊燃烧的旺火之中。旺火，不仅是岁末年首一道炽热的风景，更承载着山西人祈求吉祥、迎祥纳福的深厚情感与古老智慧。

In Shanxi, the joy of the Chinese New Year is not only found in the aroma of dumplings and the bright red of window decorations but also in the roaring “Wanghuo” (prosperity fire) that blazes on New Year’s Eve. The Wanghuo is not just a fiery spectacle marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new; it also carries the profound emotions and ancient wisdom of the Shanxi people as they pray for good fortune and welcome blessings.

山西煤炭资源丰富，早在古时，人们便利用煤炭垒砌旺火，形成具有浓郁地方特色的年俗。这一习俗，源于岁时交替中“改新火”的传统。岁首是新一年的开端，古人认为此时天上的火神星出现，于是便在年终岁首之交“改旧火为新火”，以迎接火神的降临，祈求新的一年生活红火、家业兴旺。

Shanxi is rich in coal resources, and since ancient times, people have used coal to build Wanghuo, forming a distinctive local New Year tradition. This custom originates from the ancient practice of “renewing the fire” during the transition between years. The beginning of the lunar year marks the start of new life and work, and it was believed that the Fire God Star appeared in the sky at this time. Thus, during the transition from the old year to the new, people would “renew the fire” to welcome the Fire God Star, praying for a prosperous and thriving life in the coming year.

山西各地垒旺火的形式多样，内涵丰富。在晋北，人们常用大块的炭垒砌成塔形或锥形的“旺火”；晋南、晋中地区则多用木柴、柏枝与秆草点燃，称为“柏枝火”或“点旺草”；晋东南一带则流行以泥塑造型，内填煤炭，依外形称为“塔塔火”“生肖火”或“狮子火”。尽管形式有别，但都寄托着同样的心愿——愿生活如火焰般热烈、兴旺。

The forms of Wanghuo vary across Shanxi, each rich in meaning and symbolism. In northern Shanxi, people often stack large blocks of coal into pagoda- or cone-shaped structures called “Wanghuo.” In southern and central Shanxi, firewood, cypress branches, and straw are used to light what is known as “Cypress Branch Fire” or “Lighting the Prosperity Grass.” In southeastern Shanxi, clay sculptures filled with coal are popular, named for their shapes, such as “Pagoda Fire,” “Zodiac Fire,” or “Lion Fire.” Despite their differences in form, they all share the same wish—for life to be as vibrant and prosperous as the flames.

除夕之夜，子时将至，家家户户开始准备点燃旺火。许多人家在午夜钟声敲响时，一同点燃旺火，刹那间火光冲天、鞭炮齐鸣，映红一张张笑脸，也照亮新年的夜空。山西人相信，除夕夜神灵降临人间，而旺火具有“迎神通天”之力，保佑全家四季平安、吉祥如意。