Henry Foster spoke eloquently. During his university years, he had already developed a keen interest in these folk customs and had done some research and investigation.

“That's right, you got the meaning of the beam-raising ceremony correct. But do you know what procedures are involved in raising the beam?”

James Bolton was a schoolteacher, but he couldn't stump Henry Foster. Out of habit, he pressed for more details.

“Hehe, Uncle, I actually have looked into this. Customs for raising the beam vary from place to place, but in our region, you have to pick an auspicious day. Then, on the night before, the carpenters and masons carry the decorated beam and place it on the table in the main hall of the newly built house, with the head of the beam facing east (to the left) and the tail facing west (to the right). After that, the host sets out sunflower seeds and fruit, and keeps watch over the beam with the craftsmen, to prevent any filth or evil things from approaching the decorated beam.”

While keeping watch over the beam, the carpenter first performs the accompanying beam ritual. He grabs a handful of rice from the tea tray and scatters it in all four directions of the hall. After bowing to the beam tree, he recites:

“This beam, this beam, is truly extraordinary. The main beam supports the house, steady and secure, blessed by the red star, resplendent in gold and jade. The whole family is blessed, the household prospers, the elders live long, their lives as enduring as the hills; the young bring joy, and the family flourishes. Officials rise in rank, soaring like great birds; scholars succeed, rising straight to the clouds. May all things go as wished, great fortune and prosperity.”

After reciting the congratulatory words for the beam, the carpenter must follow tradition to expel evil. He asks the host for a cup of clean water, drinks it, then sprays it onto the beam tree and says:

“Looking to one side, heaven and earth are opened, the day is auspicious, the time is right, descendants of the emperor, building a splendid hall, living in peace and comfort, evil spirits retreat, misfortune hides away. Here we accompany the beam, may it always be blessed. The sound of the mallet echoes to the heavens, ten thousand saints and sages accompany the main beam, the heavenly evil quickly returns to the clouds, the earthly evil flows down the Luo River.”

Henry Foster's voice rose and fell with emotion. Accompanied by the crackling of the charcoal fire, his words reached everyone's ears, and in their minds, they could all picture the vivid scene of the carpenter reciting the ritual verses.

“Very good, I didn't expect you, Little Henry, to know so much about the beam-raising customs. Keep going, and teach them more—these old traditions are barely understood by young people nowadays.”

James Bolton was very pleased with Henry Foster's performance. But as he said, young people today really know too little about tradition. In a few decades, when the older generation passes away, these things may disappear completely.

“I used to only know that the beam-raising ceremony was pretty complicated, but I didn't realize there were so many details.” This was another cousin of Henry Foster expressing his amazement.

Henry Foster nodded in agreement with what his uncle had said. Young people today have different goals, and the fast pace of life means that few take the time to truly understand these ancient and intricate customs.

“After expelling evil, the guests and host sit together in the hall to keep watch over the beam. After midnight, a meal and drinks are prepared for those keeping watch. The host treats the carpenters and masons with extra generosity, often stewing pork knuckle to thank them for their hard work. The new homeowner must accompany the carpenters and masons, drinking slowly with them. By the end of the late-night meal, it is nearly dawn.”

At this point, the carpenter brings a red-painted axe, ink line, and carpenter's square, placing them on the table, with the square leaning diagonally on the left front corner. The mason also brings a trowel and plumb line, placing them on the right front corner of the table. Once everything is ready, a big red rooster is placed on the beam. Then, the carpenter in charge of the ink line steps up to the table and says, “Lu Ban arrives early; now is the time to raise the beam.” Next, the carpenter places grains, ink, and paper in the center of the beam, then wraps the beam tightly with red cloth—securing it with red thread—and recites the beam-tying verse:

Holding a piece of silk from the host,

One zhang and three chi, plus a little more,

Tie three times on the left for wealth and honor,

Tie three times on the right for scholarly success.

May the host's family prosper in both wealth and people,

May glory and riches fill the household.

After reciting, the carpenter and mason each raise a cup of wine, lift it above their heads, then sprinkle wine on the beam three times, reciting together:

Holding a cup of wine from the host, wishing for heaven and earth to last forever;

Holding a second cup, may glory and riches last for generations;

Holding a third cup, may sons and grandsons be granted noble titles.

After the carpenters and masons offer wine to the beam, the carpenter takes the rooster and places it standing on the beam. First, he praises the rooster:

Holding a rooster from the host,

With a high head and low tail;

Wearing a golden crown and rosy feathers,

Clad in a coat of five-colored plumage.

This is no ordinary rooster,

But the rooster offered by the master of the house for the beam!

With that, he places the rooster on the beam, called “the living dragon standing on the beam,” symbolizing a prosperous household. After the beam-offering ceremony, the auspicious time for raising the beam arrives. The carpenter and mason, each holding their beam-setting tools and a rope wrapped in red paper, climb to the tops of the main columns, holding the rope at both ends to keep the beam balanced, and slowly lift it up, chanting as they go:

Today the host raises the beam,

Auspiciousness descends on a lucky day,

Fortune shines and brings glory,

May the house be filled with gold and jade, and all things prosper.

After the chant, the guests, host, and all the villagers—men, women, young, and old—who come to catch the tossed beam buns, all shout in unison, “Good!” The chorus echoes to the sky, and together with the sound of firecrackers, the festive atmosphere of the beam-raising ceremony reaches its peak, lively and jubilant.

At this moment, the mason recites: