Introduction: In traditional Chinese festivals, Xiao Nian is an important node, which marks the approach of the Spring Festival. Although the southern and northern minions both belong to the category of small years, there are significant differences in customs and food. This article will delve into the differences between the north and the south and take you to appreciate this unique Chinese cultural phenomenon.
1. The customs of the southern youth.
The Southern New Year, also known as the "Stove Festival", is an important time for family reunions and ancestral sacrifices. On this day, southern families will carefully prepare delicacies, such as rice balls and rice cakes, which symbolize reunion and prosperity every year. In addition, there is also the custom of pasting Spring Festival couplets and hanging lanterns in the southern New Year, in order to bring a festive atmosphere for the New Year.
2. The customs of the northern youth.
The northern New Year, also known as the "Dust Sweeping Festival", has a strong meaning of cleanliness. On this day, families in the north will carry out a big cleaning, which means to sweep away the bad luck of the old year and welcome the good luck of the new year. In addition, there is also the custom of eating dumplings and pasting window flowers in the northern New Year. Dumplings symbolize wealth and good luck, while window grilles symbolize festivity and good fortune.
3. The dietary characteristics of the southern youth.
The diet of the southern Xiaonian is mainly sweet, such as glutinous rice balls, rice cakes, etc. The rice balls symbolize reunion and happiness, while the rice cakes symbolize the rise of the year. These delicacies are not only delicious, but also contain people's yearning for a better life.
Fourth, the food characteristics of the northern Xiaonian.
The diet of the northern Xiaonian is mainly salty, and dumplings have become the protagonist. Dumplings are shaped like ingots, which symbolize wealth and good luck. In addition, there is also the custom of eating stove candy and twist flowers in the northern New Year, which are not only delicious, but also carry people's blessings and expectations for the New Year.
Fifth, the cultural connotation of the North and South Xiaonian.
The difference between the north and the south reflects the diversity of China's regional culture. The warmth and reunion of the southern Xiaonian reflect the life attitude of the southerners who pay attention to family and affection; The cleanliness and festivity of the northern New Year show the bold and optimistic character characteristics of the northerners. This difference is the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
Why is there a difference of one day between the South and the North in the year?
The difference between the southern and northern small years is actually related to the leap month system of the Chinese lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is a lunisolar calendar, the length of the months each year does not exactly coincide with the cycle of the earth around the sun, so there will be leap months. Historically, in order to adjust for the difference between the lunar calendar and the solar calendar, the lunar calendar would insert an additional month, known as a leap month, from time to time. In this way, the year of the lunar calendar does not exactly correspond to the year of the solar year.
The date of the small year is determined according to a specific rule of the lunar calendar, which is related to the "stove king" in the lunar calendar. Zaojun is a Chinese folk god of the kitchen, and it is traditional to go to heaven on the 23rd or 24th day of the lunar month to report to the Jade Emperor about the good and evil of the human family. On this day, people hold a ceremony to worship the stove-kun, which is the origin of the small year. Due to the intercalary month insertion of the lunar calendar, there is a difference in the dates of the southern and northern minor years. Normally, if a leap month occurs after the wax month, the southern year will be one day earlier than the northern year, and vice versa.
The difference between the north and the south is a treasure of Chinese culture and a window for us to understand traditional Chinese culture. While enjoying the customs of the New Year, we can feel the unique charm and profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture. Let's inherit and promote this precious cultural heritage together and welcome every beautiful New Year.