The difference between the north and the south is small
The birth of Xiao Nian is closely related to the belief of the Lord of the Stove. In ancient China's agrarian society, the god of the stove was revered as the god who was in charge of the stove and cooked the home-cooked food, and his status was equivalent to that of the head of the family, which had a profound impact on people's daily life. On the twenty-third or twenty-fourth day of the lunar calendar every year (there is a slight difference between the north and the south), the Lord of the Stove has to go to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor the good and evil performance of the people in the world in the past year, therefore, this day has become an important day to worship the God of the Stove, which is called "sacrificial stove" or "sending the stove", and then gradually evolved into the folk festival of Xiao Nian.
On this day of the New Year, every household will carefully prepare sacrificial offerings, such as sugar melons, cakes, wine, etc., among which the sugar melon symbolizes sealing the mouth of the king of the stove because of its stickiness, so that he can only say good things in heaven and not mention bad things. During the worship, the stove will also be burned, implying that the king of the stove rides a horse**. The food customs during the young year are also quite distinctive, such as eating dumplings in some parts of the north, which means that they are more old; In some places in the south, rice balls or rice cakes are eaten, symbolizing a happy reunion and rising step by step.
Xiao Nian is not only a simple festival, but also an important carrier of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation. In the folk, there are still many folk taboos related to Xiao Nian. Just like the old man in the village said, no matter whether you have money or not, when you send the "stove prince", remember "3 for 2 and 1 for 1".
"3 for".
1: Serving wine. Wine is an indispensable element of ritual rituals in traditional Chinese culture. During the small year festival, people will prepare mellow wine as an offering to the king of the stove. The wine represents warm hospitality and respect, implying that the king of the stove can feel the warmth and sincerity of the world. At the same time, wine also symbolizes prayer for the abundance, harmony and prosperity of family life. The ancients believed that the aroma of wine could edify the gods, make them happy, and bless the peace of the house and the abundance of grains.
2: Sugar (especially sugar melon). Melon is a traditional dessert made with maltose that has a high viscosity and a crispy and sweet taste. During the small year festival, sugar melons are an indispensable offering. The meaning of the sugar melon is very profound, one is to hope to "mush" the mouth of the king of the stove through sweet food, so that he can say more good things and less bad things when reporting the situation in the world to the heavenly palace; The second is to take its sweet meaning, hoping that the new year life will be sweet and happy, and all the best. In addition, sugar also symbolizes family harmony and interpersonal harmony.
3: Beans. In some areas, beans from cereals such as red beans and mung beans are also offered to the Nienian festival. In Chinese culture, beans are often associated with fertility and vitality. The meaning of offering beans may have two aspects: one is to show the importance of farming culture, praying for a good harvest and a full barn of grains in the coming year; The second is to borrow the endless vitality of beans to bless the family with prosperity and good health. In some local folklore, it is also said that red beans are used to cook porridge or make other foods, symbolizing the sweetness of love and family harmony.
"2 taboos".
1: Avoid women's sacrifice stoves. In ancient Chinese society, due to the division of gender roles and the influence of feudal etiquette, sacrificial activities were often considered the responsibility of male family members. Especially on the important day of worshipping the Lord of the Stove, it is believed that men are the main representatives of the family, and it is more appropriate to take on the important task of praying to the gods and reporting family affairs. Therefore, in some areas, there is a saying that "women should not sacrifice to the stove".
2: Avoid unlucky words and deeds. As an important solar term before the Spring Festival, the folk generally believe that on this day, the prince of the stove will go to heaven to report the good and evil in the world, which will affect the family fortune in the coming year. Therefore, it is taboo to say unlucky words or act unlucky on this day, in case these negative messages are brought to heaven by the Lord of the Stove, thus bringing misfortune to the family.
"1 does not stay".
Do not leave the old image of the "stove prince". In some local customs, there is such a step when sending the king of the stove to the heavens to report his work, that is, the old statue of the god of the stove is smeared with honey and wine and burned, which means that the king of the stove will be able to "speak sweetly" when reporting the family situation to the Jade Emperor, and say more good things to bring good luck to the family. Burning the old statue also symbolizes that the Lord of the Stove has left the world and completed his one-year guardian mission.
On the night of Chinese New Year's Eve, according to traditional customs, people will re-attach a new statue of the god Stove Wangye, and hold a ceremony to welcome the stove through offerings such as incense, melons and fruits, and welcome the stove prince back to his home, and continue to bless the family with peace and good fortune and abundant grains in the new year.
Okay, that's it for today, I'm Fengyan Shilu. In a complex and ever-changing world, we must stick to our beliefs and dreams, move forward bravely, not afraid of difficulties and setbacks, strive to pursue ideals and goals, and write wonderful life stories for ourselves. After the baptism of wind and rain, you can enjoy the beauty of the rainbow. Stranger, come on!