The twenty-fourth day of the lunar month is called "Dust Sweeping Day", which is colloquially called "Dusting" or "Removing Residues". This ancient custom can be traced back to the time of the Spring and Autumn Period of the Lü Family, and even earlier than the Yaoshun period.
The origin of dust sweeping is related to the homonym of "dust" and "Chen", which symbolizes "removing the old and the new", and contains people's good wishes to pursue the old and the new. This special day becomes an important time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new.
Why do you want to sweep the dust on the twentieth day of the lunar month? According to legend, when the god of the stove reported to the heavens, there was always a "sworn enemy" who was jealous of his free and happy life. Whenever the twenty-third day of the lunar month comes, this opponent likes to create right and wrong and disrupt affairs.
Because the god of the stove had a sticky mouth because he had eaten the sugar offered by the people, and all he said was "sweet words", the Jade Emperor became suspicious of this.
Therefore, the Jade Emperor sent envoys down to investigate the truth and left marks on the crimes of "fake" people, covering them with cobwebs. The purpose of this action was to bring down the punishment afterwards.
When the god Vesta learned of this, he was not worried, and he left a clear notice before the 23rd lunar month ascended to heaven, asking every household to clean up from the 24th lunar month until Chinese New Year's Eve.
This made it impossible for the Jade Emperor to detect any traces, and thus to be convinced of the words of the Stove God. The "bad guy" who once instigated right and wrong in front of the Jade Emperor also reaped the consequences, was demoted to the mortal world and turned into a stone, indulging in the dung pit of the world for reflection.
However, legends are often hard to realize. In fact, as early as the Yaoshun era, the custom of sweeping dust during the Spring Festival already existed. At that time, this was to carry out a sacrificial ritual to "ward off the epidemic and pray for good health". Although the purpose is slightly different, they all convey the vision of people pursuing "removing the old and welcoming the new" and looking forward to a better life.
With the advent of the 24th lunar month, people follow the ancient tradition of "1 look, 2 selection, and 3 attention", hoping to welcome the new year by sweeping away old things, and be auspicious.
Start by reviewing your family's fortunes throughout the year and then start cleaning up. If the family is prosperous this year, you can start sweeping the house from the door to the house, which means to keep good luck; If the luck is not good throughout the year, you can start from the house and sweep out, which means that all the bad luck accumulated in the year will be swept out of the house.
Secondly, when choosing a cleaning tool, it is best to choose a broom made of green bamboo leaves. Legend has it that green bamboo leaves have the effect of removing dampness and bad luck.
Finally, when cleaning, you need to pay attention to the details, every corner should be carefully cleaned, even if some places are difficult to clean, you should also symbolically sweep it; When moving items, be sure to handle them with care; During the clean-up process, it is best to be quiet and avoid arguing with others; The whole family should be actively involved in the clean-up.
The twenty-fourth day of the lunar month has arrived, and the custom of dusting and sweeping the house has followed. This traditional initiative symbolizes the removal of bad luck and good luck for the new year. People take this opportunity to rise in their academic careers. It's not just a simple cleaning, it's about opening up a fresh space for yourself mentally to meet the challenges of the future.
Sweep away the old and welcome the new year. As it comes to say goodbye to the old year, people clean up their homes thoroughly to welcome the new year. This process is not only a physical arrangement, but also a summary of the past and expectations for the future. This sense of ritual also adds a layer of good anticipation to life.
The deeper meaning of this tradition may go beyond physical cleansing, but also a love of life and a positive attitude towards the future. Perhaps in the process of dusting and sweeping the house, we are not only cleaning up the clutter, but also opening a door to a new chapter in our hearts.