长命锁锁不尽的吉祥

从古到今，新生儿满百日或周岁举行的仪式中最为流行的就是挂长命锁。长命锁也叫“寄名锁”，是挂在儿童脖子上的一种装饰物。按照传统的说法，只要佩挂上这种饰物，就能“锁”住生命，保佑平安。这来自民间的吉祥锁经过艺人的干锤百炼、打磨、雕刻成为世代流传的避邪之物，是老百姓精神上的寄托，它隐藏着中国人丰富的情感，是对生活美好的总设计。

＇LONG-LIFE LOCK＇Wards Off Evil Spirits,Extends Wishes of Good Luck

For hundreds of years, people in many regions of China have held to the tradition of giving a ＂long-life lock＂ to a newborn. Why？ The gift -- placed around the baby＇s neck -- is generally given on the lOOth day of the child＇s life, or on its first birthday, because it is widely believed that it will ward off evil spirits and calamities. The exquisite ornaments （used to make the locks） embody not only the consummate skills used to make traditional Chinese paintings and carvings, but also Chinese people＇s profound love for their children.