The seventh day of the first Chinese lunar mouth is “Humans’ Day”, also known as “Humans’ Day on the Seventh” or “Human Celebration Day”. In the Tang Dynasty, it was called “Thriving Humans’ Day”. It is a day for humans - the master of the universe, so the main festivities also stress the importance of human beings.

The main custom on that day is to make “Rensheng” or “a human-shaped ornament symbolizing thriving humans”. It may be worn in the hair, posted on screens, bed nets or sent to other people as a gift. This custom was pretty much entrenched way back in the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

“Sheng” was originally a women’s ornament, a symbol of beauty and elegance. It is said that the Queen Mother of the West used to wear this ornament. There are a lot of “sheng” designs, such as human shaped ones, square ones, those with treasure patterns, flowers, spring scenes etc. Human shaped and flowery shengs are mainly used on Humans’ Day.

Rensheng is cut into the shape of a human. It is used as a woman’s hair ornament or a gift. Huasheng or flowery sheng features flowers and birds and is quite similar to flowery knots of today. This festive custom is a way of demonstrating the value of humans and at the same time, these ornaments made ideal decorative items. The custom is kept well alive till modern times.

In addition, there was the custom of “sky-fumigating” in former times. People would make pancakes in the courtyard, fumigating the sky with smoke and fire.