Today is Friday, February 2, 2024, and according to the traditional Chinese lunar festival customs, today is the "Little Year" in the northern region. In the northern region, the Lunar New Year is generally celebrated on the 23rd day of the lunar month. The New Year marks the beginning of the Spring Festival celebrations, with activities such as dust sweeping and stove sacrifices to prepare for the arrival of the New Year, symbolizing the removal of the old and the welcome of the new.
In China, Xiao Nian is an important traditional festival, especially in the northern region.
The main activities of the small year include:
1.Sacrifice to the god of the stove: On the day of the new year, the folk have the custom of sacrificing to the god of the stove (also known as the king of the stove). People believe that the god of the stove is sent by the heavens to every household to supervise good and evil, in charge of food and drink, on the day of the new year, the god of the stove will return to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the situation in the world, so every household will prepare sweets, snacks and other offerings, praying to the god of the stove "God says good things, return to the palace to bring auspiciousness". In the past, when I was in the countryside, people would paste the stove king and grandmother on the chimney of the stove and smear honey on their mouths, hoping that they would say something good when they went to heaven.
2.Sweeping: The small year also marks the beginning of "sweeping" before the Spring Festival, that is, cleaning. Sweeping away the dust and bad luck of the year at home, meaning saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, hoping for a clean, tidy and smooth new start in the coming year.
There are many things to say about dusting, such as:
When the year comes, the dust is busy, in front of the house and behind the house, up and down, in the corners, do not let go.
Dust off the old dust, usher in a new atmosphere, all year round, all the best, new year, new weather, family and business prosperity. "
There is also a short and interesting song:
On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, sweeping the house and cleaning the windows, the corners are clean, and the old is welcome to the spring.
Dust removal and obscurity, auspicious home, new year and new atmosphere, blessing and longevity. "
These two poems vividly depict the custom of dusting and the beautiful meaning of the symbols of the young year.
3.Cutting window flowers: Some places will decorate their homes from a young age, cut window flowers, hang lanterns and other activities to create a strong festive atmosphere.
4.Making dumplings: In some parts of the north, there is a custom of eating dumplings on Chinese New Year's Eve, which means reunion and a happy life.
5.Preparing for the New Year: From a young age, families begin to be busier preparing for the New Year, preparing for various celebrations and reunion dinners during the Spring Festival.
In general, the Northern New Year is not only a festival, but also a yearning and pursuit of a better life, and an important embodiment of family concepts and family ethics in traditional Chinese culture.