Xiao Nian, a festival that occupies an important position in traditional Chinese culture, is not as celebrated by the whole country as the Spring Festival, but its profound cultural connotation and rich customs make people feel warm and cordial. Often seen as the prelude to the Spring Festival, the New Year is an important moment to prepare for the New Year. Below, let's take an in-depth look at those customs of Xiao Nian, so that you can become a "Xiao Nian Pass" in the circle of friends!
1. The date of the small year.
The date of the year varies from region to region. In the north, the new year usually falls on the twenty-third day of the lunar month, while in the south, it is mostly on the twenty-fourth day of the lunar month. In addition, the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions refer to the "twenty-fourth day of the lunar month" and "the night before Chinese New Year's Eve" as the small year, while the Nanjing region calls the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month a small year. Although the dates vary, the customs of celebrating the New Year in various places are full of strong New Year's flavor.
2. The customs of the young year.
Sacrifice to the god of the hearth. On this day, one of the most important customs is to sacrifice to the god of the stove. In Chinese folk beliefs, the god of the stove is the god in charge of food and drink, and it is believed that he can speak good words before the heavens, bless the family with peace and abundant crops. Therefore, on the day of the New Year, every household will place offerings in front of the stove, burn incense and candles, and pray for the blessing of the stove god.
Sweep the dust. On this day of the New Year, people will also carry out a big cleaning, commonly known as "sweeping the dust". This is to remove the old and welcome the new, which means to sweep all the "bad luck" and "bad luck" out of the door to welcome the good luck and blessings of the new year. When dusting, people thoroughly clean the house, including the walls, floors, furniture, etc., to give the home a new look.
Window grilles. Window grilles are another characteristic custom of the young year. The window grille is usually based on red, and various auspicious patterns are cut out on it, such as the word Fu, the word Xi, flowers, birds, fish and insects. Window flowers can not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also entrust people's yearning and pursuit of a better life.
Eat stove sugar. On this day of the new year, people will also eat stove candy. Stove sugar is a kind of maltose that sticks to the mouth and teeth, which means that the mouth of the god of the stove is glued with sugar, so that he can only say good things about the family after going to heaven. In addition, eating stove candy also has the meaning of praying for sweetness and happiness in life.
Bathing, haircuts.
When I was young, both adults and children had to take a bath and get a haircut. There is a saying among the people that "if you have money or not, shave your head for the New Year". The Luliang area pays attention to washing feet on the 27th day of the lunar month. In the evening of that day, my mother-in-law and aunt Ruzi washed their feet with boiling water. For an ignorant girl, adults should also help her scrub her feet clean and leave no filth.
3. The cultural significance of the year.
As the prelude to the Spring Festival, Xiao Nian carries rich cultural significance. It is not only an important moment for people to prepare for the New Year, but also an important carrier for inheriting and carrying forward the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Through the customs of worshipping the god of the stove, sweeping the dust, sticking window flowers, and eating stove candy, people can not only feel the strong flavor of the New Year, but also deepen their understanding and recognition of traditional culture in the process of participation.
Nowadays, with the changes of the times and the development of society, the customs of Xiao Nian are constantly evolving and enriching. But no matter how it changes, the cultural connotations of prayer, welcome, reunion and other cultural connotations contained in the new year remain the same. Let's feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture in this warm and beautiful festival!