Xiao Nian is the day before the Chinese New Year and an important day for people to prepare for the New Year. On this day, people carry out a series of custom activities, both traditional customs and modern innovations. This article will introduce the customs of Xiaonian from the perspective of popular science and take you to understand this unique festival.
1. Sticking Spring Festival couplets: a traditional act of praying for blessings.
Sticking Spring Festival couplets is one of the important customs of the Chinese New Year, and the small year is the best time to paste Spring Festival couplets. People put up auspicious couplets on their homes or indoors to pray for good luck and peace in the coming year. This tradition has its roots in ancient rituals and is now a symbol of family reunion and prayer.
2. Sweeping the old and removing the old: a purification ceremony to welcome the new year.
The new year is also a day to sweep away the dust. People will thoroughly sweep the dust from their homes, clean up the corners and items to drive away the bad luck and bad luck of the old year. This custom represents anticipation and hope for the New Year, as well as to welcome the arrival of the New Year and bring a new atmosphere to the home.
3. Sacrifice to the god of the stove: the ritual of thanksgiving and blessing.
Another important custom in Xiao Nian is to sacrifice to the god of the stove. Offerings are placed in the kitchen to express gratitude to the god of the stove and pray for a good harvest and peace in the family for the coming year. This custom has its roots in ancient farming cultures and is now an important part of family reunification and cultural inheritance.
4. Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner: A feast of traditional and modern cuisine.
On the evening of the New Year, the family will enjoy a sumptuous Chinese New Year's Eve dinner together. The traditional Chinese New Year's Eve dinner dishes are rich and varied, representing auspiciousness and reunion. The modern Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is more diverse, incorporating local specialties and innovative dishes. The Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is not only a feast of food, but also an important ritual for family reunion and time together.
5. Firecrackers: a traditional activity to ward off evil spirits and pray for blessings.
On the night of the New Year, people will set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and pray for good fortune. This traditional activity originated from the ancient custom of exorcising evil spirits and praying for blessings, and it is believed that the sound of firecrackers can drive away ** and epidemics, and bring peace and auspiciousness. Nowadays, although there are restrictions on where firecrackers can be set off, people still celebrate the arrival of the New Year by setting off fireworks.
In short, as a prelude to the Chinese New Year, Xiao Nian carries a wealth of traditional customs and modern innovations. Customs such as sticking the Spring Festival, sweeping the dust and removing the old, worshipping the god Vesta, Chinese New Year's Eve dinner and setting off firecrackers not only inherit the ancient culture, but also incorporate modern elements. These customs not only represent people's expectations and prayers for the New Year, but also an important way for families to reunite and pass on culture.