As the bell of the Spring Festival gradually fades away, we usher in the third day of the Lunar New Year. In traditional Chinese culture, the third day of the Lunar New Year is a day full of mystery and rich customs. On this day, people follow the ancient tradition of praying for peace, auspiciousness and good luck in the new year through a series of customs and taboos. Below, let's take a look at the "six customs and six taboos" on the third day of the Lunar New Year.
1. Six major customs
Burn the door god paper
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, people have the custom of burning the door paper. The door god paper is a statue of a god pasted on the door, which is used to ward off evil spirits and avoid ghosts, and to protect the family. On the third day of the new year, people will take down the door god paper and burn it, which means that the door god will be sent back to the heavenly realm to show gratitude. This custom reflects the ancient people's reverence for the gods and their prayers for a better life.
Millet's birthday
In folklore, the third day of the Lunar New Year is Guzi's birthday. On this day, every household will sacrifice grain and pray for a good harvest and a full barn of grain in the new year. People will set up altars in their homes, place offerings, burn incense, candles, paper money, and worship the god of grain religiously. This custom reflects the ancient agrarian society's people's appreciation of food and the expectation of a good harvest.
Xiao Nian Dynasty
The third day of the Lunar New Year, also known as the "Xiao Nian Dynasty", was a court festival in the Song Dynasty. On this day, there is no sweeping, no begging, no drawing of water, the same as the New Year. This custom spread to the people, and people also followed these taboos to show reverence for heaven and earth and respect for life. At the same time, the "Little New Year's Day" is also a good time for people to rest and have fun, and every family will hold various celebrations to celebrate this special holiday.
Rat marry
In some places, there is also the custom of "rats marrying" on the third day of the Lunar New Year. People will sprinkle some rice grains, cakes and other foods in the corners of their homes as a "dowry" for rats. This custom has its roots in folklore, and it is said that the third night of the lunar month is the day when the rat marries, and people share the joy and harvest of the new year with the rat. Although the practice has faded in modern society, it can still be seen in some rural areas.
Broom Day
The third day of the Lunar New Year is also "Broom Day", which means that cleaning can start on this day. During the Chinese New Year, homes tend to get messy due to various celebrations and visits to relatives and friends. On the third day of junior high school, people will pick up brooms, rags and other tools and start cleaning the inside and outside of the house. This custom is not only to keep the home environment clean and beautiful, but also to sweep away all bad luck and welcome the new year.
Red Dog Day
The third day of the Lunar New Year is also known as the "Red Dog Day", the Red Dog is the god of anger, and there will be murderous things when encountered. Therefore, on this day, people usually choose to stay at home and avoid going out and encountering unlucky things. At the same time, "Red Dog Day" is also a good time for people to rest and adjust, and they can enjoy a moment of peace and warmth at home.
Second, six taboos
Do not kill pigs
It is taboo to kill pigs on the third day of the Lunar New Year, because this day is considered to be the birthday of the pig god. Killing pigs on this day is considered disrespectful to the pig god and may invite calamity and misfortune. As a result, people often choose to do slaughtering activities such as pig killing on other days.
Avoid eating rice
In some places, it is taboo to eat rice on the third day of the Lunar New Year. This is because the ancients believed that the third day of the new year was Guzi's birthday, and eating rice would be seen as disrespectful and wasteful to Guzi. Therefore, people will choose other foods as staple foods as a sign of respect and cherishment of millet.
Do not use knives and scissors
It is taboo to use knives and scissors on the third day of the Lunar New Year, because this day is considered to be "Anvil Day". On this day, using knives and scissors is considered to be a detrimental to the family's financial fortune. Therefore, people will try to avoid activities such as cutting, cutting, etc. on this day.
Do not light the lamp
It is taboo to light lamps on the night of the third day of the Lunar New Year, and according to legend, this custom originated from the legend of rats marrying relatives. It is believed that the night of the third day of the lunar month is the day when the rat marries, and if the lamp is lit, it will disturb the rat's wedding, which will invite misfortune and disaster. Therefore, people try to keep it dark and quiet during the night.
Don't pay New Year's greetings
New Year's greetings are taboo on the third day of the Lunar New Year because this day is considered "Red Dog Day". Red dog is the god of anger, and when it happens, there will be murder. Therefore, New Year's greetings on this day are considered unlucky and may bring bad luck and misfortune to both parties. Therefore, people usually choose to celebrate the New Year on other days.
Do not dump sewage, garbage, and sweep the floor
Please watch the fireworks On the third day of the Lunar New Year, it is taboo to take out sewage, garbage, sweeping the floor and other cleaning behaviors. Because this day is considered the birthday of the God of Wealth, cleaning can be seen as disrespectful to the God of Wealth and ruining fortune. Therefore, people try to keep their home environment clean and beautiful and avoid large-scale cleaning activities on this day. At the same time, it is also important not to dump filthy things such as sewage and garbage, so as not to affect the feng shui and fortune of the home.
The "Six Customs and Six Taboos" on the third day of the Lunar New Year are an important part of traditional Chinese culture, and they carry people's yearning for a better life and their reverence for the gods. By understanding and following these traditional customs and taboos, we can better feel the charm and profundity of traditional Chinese culture.