Reading guide: "On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, go to the grave and ask the ancestors to make a big offering", suggesting "4 things to do, 3 things to avoid", to ask for a good fortune for the Spring Festival.This week's Thursday, February 8, is the 29th day of the lunar month, which is also the penultimate day before the New Year.
In traditional culture, the 29th day of the lunar month was also called "Little Chinese New Year's Eve". It corresponds to the Chinese New Year's EveChinese New Year's Eve, and often on the day of the Chinese New Year's Eve, which is also the busiest day of the year, people will carry out a series of preparations to prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival.
Although the Little Chinese New Year's Eve is not as lively and prosperous as the Great Chinese New Year's Eve, it carries deep cultural significance and family feelings. On this day, there are four things that must be done and three things that should be avoided.
These customs and taboos are all about pleasing fortune and praying for peace, prosperity and happiness in the new year. So what are the four things to do and what are the three things not to do? Let's find out!
First of all, let's first understand the background of the twenty-ninth month of the lunar month as a little Chinese New Year's Eve. In traditional Chinese culture, the months of the lunar calendar are divided into big and small months. The big month has 30 days, while the small month has only 29 days. In most years, Chinese New Year's Eve falls on the 30th day of the lunar month, but sometimes Chinese New Year's Eve is advanced to the 29th day of the lunar month due to the existence of small moons. Therefore, the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month is called Little Chinese New Year's Eve.
And if the 29th of the lunar month is Chinese New Year's Eve, then the 28th of the lunar month is the Chinese New Year's Eve. Although the dates are different, whether it is the 30th day of the lunar month or the 29th day of the lunar month, people's expectations and customs for the Spring Festival are the same.
And on Chinese New Year's Eve, there are four things that must be done. First, going to the grave to ask the ancestors to make offerings is an important activity.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, the most important custom is to "go to the grave and ask the ancestors". The ancients worshiped their ancestors very much, and generally worshiped their ancestors during the New Year's holidays, which is not only a kind of consolation to the ancestors, but also a sign of gratitude and thoughts to the ancestors of future generations.
The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival, and it must also be to go to the grave to worship the ancestors, and this custom is called "going to the grave to invite the ancestors". Therefore, the annual rumor says "On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, go to the grave and ask the ancestors to make a big offering". On that day, the harvest is prepared and the sacrifice is made at the grave of the ancestors.
Most areas invite ancestors in the early morning of the 29th, and a few areas invite ancestors from the afternoon of the Chinese New Year's Eve to dusk. In my hometown, it is said that I took my ancestors home for the New Year.
Second, steaming steamed buns and making rice cakes. As the old saying goes, "Twenty-eight, eight-sided hair, twenty-nine, steamed steamed buns", on the 29th day of the lunar month, it is necessary to start steaming steamed buns and rice cakes for the New Year, they are all traditional Chinese foods, implying reunion and harvest.
On this day, people prepare a sufficient number of steamed buns and rice cakes in advance for the whole family to enjoy. Because in the old tradition, from the first day of the first month to the fifth day of the first month, it was not possible to make a fire to cook.
Third, on the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, prepare a family banquet and take the oil away. On this day, families prepare a sumptuous feast together, and at the same time, they will visit each other, give gifts to each other, and express their love and blessings to each other. In some places, there is still this custom, called "walking the year", generally the younger generation to the elders to "walk the year", such as the son-in-law to the father-in-law, or the nephew to the uncle to walk the year.
Fourth, hanging lanterns and sticking Spring Festival couplets is also one of the traditional customs of Chinese New Year's Eve. Both lanterns and couplets are meant to create a festive and peaceful atmosphere, symbolizing good luck and good fortune in the New Year.
However, on the day of Chinese New Year's Eve, there are three things that should be avoided and try not to do it, which is also to draw a good meaning and a good lottery.
First of all, it is very important to avoid getting into a verbal altercation with others. In a festive atmosphere, any quarrels and unpleasant things can have a negative impact on the family and society. Therefore, people pay special attention to their words and deeds on this day and avoid conflicts with others.
Secondly, during the Spring Festival, no matter what mistakes the child makes, parents should try not to beat and scold the child. Chinese New Year is a time of reunion and happiness, and parents will choose to educate their children in a gentle way to avoid causing unnecessary harm to their children.
Spring Festival Explosive Guide Finally, avoiding discouragement and saying more auspicious words is also an important taboo on Chinese New Year's Eve. During the Chinese New Year, laughter and words of blessing are essential. If you say frustrating words or negative energy, it will bring a bad feeling to people and affect the atmosphere of the festival.
In addition to the four things to do and the three taboos mentioned above, there are some other customs and activities that take place on the day of Chinese New Year's Eve. For example, people will do a big cleaning to clean their homes and surroundings, which symbolizes good luck and success in the new year.