The Northern Little Year, also known as the "23rd day of the lunar month", is a traditional festival on the 23rd day of the lunar month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which is regarded as the prelude to the Spring Festival and an important part of traditional Chinese culture. On this day, people perform customs such as sacrificing stoves, sweeping dust, and pasting window flowers to express good wishes for the coming year.
There are several legends and customs related to the origin of the northern Xiaonian. One of the most famous is the legend about the "Lord of the Stove". According to legend, on the 23rd day of the lunar month every year, the Lord of the Stove will go to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor the good and evil behavior of the family for a year. In order to seek the blessing and good words of the Lord of the Stove, people will sacrifice the stove on this day, offering sweets, fruits and other foods, hoping that the Lord of the Stove can "say good things to the heavens and keep peace in the lower world".
There are many customs in the northern New Year, such as dusting, which means sweeping away the bad luck and bad luck of the old year and welcoming the good luck and auspiciousness of the new year; Window grilles are posted to add to the festive atmosphere. In addition, there are food customs such as eating dumplings and steamed rice cakes in the northern New Year, which means reunion and beauty.
In short, the Northern New Year is one of the important festivals in traditional Chinese culture, carrying people's yearning and prayers for a better life. Through a series of customs and activities, people expressed their expectations and blessings for the New Year, and also prepared for the arrival of the Spring Festival.