Today is the New Year, which is not a festival, but an important solar term in traditional Chinese culture. Xiao Nian is often considered the prelude to the Spring Festival, representing the beginning of people's preparations for the Spring Festival.
The date of the Lunar New Year varies in different regions, but is usually on the 23rd or 24th day of the lunar month. On this day, people will carry out some traditional celebrations, such as sacrificing the stove, sweeping the dust, eating the stove candy, etc.
There are various theories about the origin of Xiao Nian. One of the theories is that the small year was in honor of the god of the stove. Legend has it that the god of the stove is the god in charge of the kitchen, and he will return to heaven on this day to report to the Jade Emperor about the situation in the world. In order to let the god of the stove say more good things in front of the Jade Emperor, people will worship the god of the stove on this day and prepare rich sacrifices for him.
In addition, Xiao Nian is also the day when people start preparing for the Spring Festival. On this day, people will clean their houses, wash their clothes, buy New Year's goods, etc., in preparation for the arrival of the Spring Festival.
In conclusion, Xiao Nian is an important solar term in traditional Chinese culture, representing the beginning of people's preparations for the Spring Festival. Whether it is the sacrificial stove, dusting or buying New Year's goods, it is to make this festival more warm and peaceful.