Medicine market custom (camphor tree medicine custom)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: medicine market custom (camphor tree medicine custom)

Applicant: Zhangshu City, Jiangxi Province

Item No.: 508

Project No.: Ⅹ - 60

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Jiangxi Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Zhangshu City, Jiangxi Province

Protection unit: Zhangshu pharmaceutical customs Research Association

Brief introduction to the custom of medicine market (camphor tree medicine custom)

Applicant: Zhangshu City, Jiangxi Province

The medicine market is a trade fair held regularly in the traditional Chinese medicine distribution centers with historical origins. There are more than 110 traditional Chinese medicine distribution centers formed in the past dynasties, among which there are extensive influence in the whole country. The four major medicine markets are Anguo, Zhangshu, Baiquan and Yucheng, with complete functions of collecting, planting, manufacturing and using, and large distribution volume.

Yaowang fair is a type of traditional temple fair, which appeared in Tang Dynasty. Sun Simiao, a famous doctor, is the God of traditional Chinese medicine and is respected as the "king of medicine". In addition, there were other famous doctors who were regarded as the "king of medicine" in a certain region in history. The temple fair with the king of medicine as the God of belief is called "the king of medicine fair". Most famous medicine markets developed from the king of medicine fair, and some originated from the market trade of medicinal materials.

In addition to the trading of medicinal materials, each pharmaceutical market has formed its own trading rules, sacrificial rites, opera performances, entertainment activities and other folk customs, which attract the participation and appreciation of the masses outside the traders, making the pharmaceutical market an influential local mass gathering place.

Zhangshu City is located in the middle of Jiangxi Province and the southern edge of Poyang Lake Plain. It has been "the hub of eight provinces and the downtown of industry and Commerce in central Jiangxi Province" since ancient times. Camphor tree began to appear in the Three Kingdoms period. In the Tang Dynasty, there was a medicine market. In the Song Dynasty, a medicine market was formed. In the Ming Dynasty, it was known as "medicine wharf". After entering the Qing Dynasty, camphor tree became "the place where the north, South, Sichuan and Guangdong medicinal materials converge.". The "camphor Gang" has strict rules and regulations, and keeps improving the processing skills of Chinese herbal medicine, forming a unique camphor medicine custom.

During the period of the Republic of China, traditional Chinese medicine was restricted, the market of traditional Chinese medicine was cut off, and the production and trade of medicinal materials were in decline. Even so, camphor tree could continue to maintain its position as the general market of medicinal materials in the whole province. After the founding of the people's Republic of China, camphor tree will hold the national herbal medicine trade fair once a year. It has a wide participation area, a large number of comers, as well as a large number of varieties and sums of money. It ranks first in the national herbal medicine market in the north and south of China. Therefore, camphor tree's name of "medicine city" is gradually rising, which is highly praised by colleagues in the pharmaceutical circles at home and abroad.

As a regional culture, its historical and cultural value should not be underestimated. Today, the pharmaceutical industry is still one of the pillar industries of camphor economic development.

Chinese PinYin : Yao Shi Xi Su Zhang Shu Yao Su