The fourth day of the Lunar New Year is the traditional Greeting Day of the Stove God, and people usually worship the Stove God on this day to pray for family safety and career success. However, in addition to worshipping the god of the hearth, there are also some places where special customs and activities are carried out, the most interesting of which is the "king of the stove". In traditional Chinese culture, the god of the stove is the protector of the family, responsible for guarding the peace and wealth of the family. Therefore, every year before the Spring Festival, every household will worship the god of the stove, praying for family safety, smooth career and financial prosperity in the new year. On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, it is the "main day" to worship the god of the stove, and many places will hold grand worship ceremonies on this day.
In addition to worshipping the god of the stove, there are also some places where there is a custom of "receiving the king of the stove". The so-called "King of the Stove" refers to the portrait of the God of the Stove after worshiping the God of the Stove, in order to obtain the blessing and blessing of the God of the Stove. It is said that when the image of the god of the stove is welcomed home, it will bring good luck and happiness to the whole family.
In the process of receiving the stove king, there are some precautions and rules. First of all, the preparations for welcoming the god of the stove should be done in advance, including the preparation of offerings, incense and candles, and other items. Secondly, when greeting the god of the stove, we should maintain a quiet and pious attitude, and should not make loud noises or noises. Finally, after greeting the god of the hearth, the offerings are taken down and the image of the god of the stove is hung in a prominent place so that the whole family can worship at any time.
In addition to the above precautions and rules, there are also some interesting stories and legends related to the customs of the king of the stove. For example, in some places, people believe that if there is an unexpected situation in the process of greeting the god of the hearth, such as accidentally falling down or encountering something unlucky, it is necessary to quickly throw away the offerings to avoid bad effects. In some places, people believe that if a guest comes to greet the god of the hearth, they should stay with them to eat together as a sign of respect and welcome.
In short, "Stove King" is a very interesting custom in traditional Chinese culture, which not only reflects people's prayers for family safety and career success, but also shows the profundity and rich diversity of Chinese culture. Whether in the city or in the countryside, this custom has been passed down to the present day and has become a unique cultural phenomenon.
In addition, the custom of "connecting the stove king" also has some practical significance. First of all, it can enhance people's sense of family and affection, and make people pay more attention to family harmony and unity. Secondly, it can inherit and promote traditional Chinese culture, so that more people can understand and recognize the rich connotation and value of traditional Chinese culture. Finally, it promotes harmony and stability in the community, enhancing cohesion and a sense of belonging among community members.
In modern society, although the custom of "connecting the stove king" may have gradually faded or disappeared in some places, it is still a very important part of traditional Chinese culture. We should actively inherit and promote this custom and culture, so that more people can understand and participate in it, and jointly contribute to the prosperity and development of traditional Chinese culture.