Lamb made of dough

Dough lamb

　　On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, grandmas give dough lambs; little nephews see their uncles as dear as their mothers.

　　 A birth mother may struggle to discipline her child, but an uncle disciplining his nephew is only right.

　　 Traditional filial piety and harmonious virtues—always reflect on the profound meaning behind the dough lamb.

　　 This is a folk nursery rhyme from Lingchuan, describing a local custom where every year on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, grandmothers and uncles give their granddaughters and nephews a “lamb”—a type of dough food made from flour, also called a “dough lamb.” Many families here make “dough lambs” every year to give to their granddaughters.

　　 How it’s made: Divide the kneaded dough into several equal parts, roll the dough into long strips, bend them into crescent shapes, then shape another round piece of dough and place it on top. Use a clean comb to gently press patterns onto the surface of the dough, then cut out shapes symbolizing wool with scissors. At one end, split the dough in the middle to resemble legs, and at the other end, attach two black beans to serve as the “dough lamb’s” eyes. “A lamb must have eyes when given away—if not, it’s a blind lamb.” In no time, a beautifully shaped, adorable “dough lamb” with a larger lamb carrying a smaller one on its back is complete.

　　 Legend has it that long ago, at the foot of Ewu Mountain in Huguan, Shangdang, there lived a hardworking couple who gave birth to a child when they were over forty. The couple doted on their child, but as he grew up, he completely forgot their nurturing kindness and became an unfilial son. With no other options, the parents sought advice from the child’s grandmother and uncle on how to discipline him. The uncle, furious, decided to take the nephew in to herd sheep with him. Watching the young lambs kneel to suckle, the nephew asked his uncle why. The uncle explained, “After a lamb is born, the ewe feeds it drop by drop until it grows. The lamb kneels to nurse as a way to repay its mother’s kindness—this is called ‘the lamb kneeling to nurse.’” The young nephew was deeply moved, bowed to his uncle and grandmother, and resolved to become a filial son. The uncle gave him a young lamb as a keepsake. That day was the sixth day of the sixth lunar month. Later, this evolved into giving “dough lambs,” always in even numbers—four, six, eight, or twelve.

　　 Across all of Lingchuan, giving lambs is a tradition. As soon as a daughter gives birth, a lamb is given, or if a girl marries and doesn’t have a child after three years, a lamb is given early.

　　 The custom of giving dough lambs is unique to the Shangdang region and not practiced elsewhere. There’s another legend: when Emperor Yan (Shennong) tasted herbs, identified grains, and taught farming here, he first had sheep try the plants. Only after the sheep ate them without harm did he decree the planting of crops. Therefore, sheep have made great contributions to humanity, were revered as totems and deities, and became guardians of children’s growth. Legends vary, but the tradition of giving “dough lambs” has been passed down here as a custom.