The third day of the first lunar month, known as the day of "sending poor ghosts", is an important day in traditional Chinese culture. The origins of this custom can be traced back to ancient China as a drive and prayer for poverty and misfortune. In ancient societies, poverty and hardship were common dilemmas, so people hoped to get rid of poverty and pursue happiness through some special rituals and activities. And "sending off poor ghosts" is such a ritual, by sending away poor ghosts, praying for good fortune and a happy life in the new year.
As can be seen from folklore, the "poor ghost" represents poverty and hardship. It is believed that poor ghosts come to the world on Chinese New Year's Eve, and people feast and have fun for a long time, causing people to waste their work and deplete their wealth, resulting in a bad new year. Therefore, on the third day of the Lunar New Year, people send away the poor ghosts through a series of rituals to ensure a smooth and happy new year. This custom reflects people's yearning for a prosperous and happy life, and is a struggle against misfortune and poverty.
On the third day of the first lunar month, people will carry out some specific activities, which have beautiful meanings, and place people's expectations and blessings for the new year. And on this day, people do three important things: to welcome good luck, to beckon the god of fortune, and to send off poor ghosts.
1. Good luck
On this day, people perform activities that symbolize good luck. For example, the Spring Festival couplets are composed of couplets, door stickers and window flowers, each of which has an auspicious message written on it, such as "Dragon Horse Spirit", "Full of Blessings" and so on. The purpose of sticking Spring Festival couplets is to create a festive atmosphere and pray for good luck and good luck in the new year. At the same time, people will also set off firecrackers, the sound of firecrackers can dispel bad luck and let good luck come smoothly.
In addition to sticking Spring Festival couplets and setting off firecrackers, some places also have special customs, such as in Yunnan, people will burn fields with fire to pray for a good harvest and good luck; In Guangdong, people will light incense lanterns to illuminate the future. These activities are meant to welcome the new year with good luck and happiness.
2. Fortune God
In addition to good luck, people also welcome the God of Wealth on the third day of the first lunar month. The God of Wealth is seen as a symbol of wealth and fortune, and it is believed that worshipping the God of Wealth can be blessed with good fortune. Therefore, on the third day of the first lunar month, every household will light incense in front of their homes to pray for the blessing of the God of Wealth.
In addition, merchants also worship the God of Wealth on this day. They would place an incense burner and a statue of the god of wealth in front of the shop, and then light incense to pray for good fortune and business. Merchants believed that by worshipping the God of Wealth, they would be able to attract more wealth and prosper their careers.
These traditional customs express people's desire for wealth and the pursuit of a better life. By welcoming good luck and beckoning the god of fortune, people hope to have a lot of money and success in the new year.
3. Send poor ghosts
Sending poor ghosts is the core activity on the third day of the first lunar month. It is believed that poor ghosts come to the world on Chinese New Year's Eve, disturbing people's lives and affecting the fortunes of the new year. Therefore, people will send the poor ghosts away in a special way.
First of all, people will sweep away the garbage and worn-out items in their homes to clean up and purify the environment. This custom symbolizes the removal of poverty and bad luck, purifying the living environment, and making the new year full of hope and joy.
Secondly, people will eat a hearty meal. This meal is called "Family Reunion Dinner" and symbolizes family unity and happiness. The meal usually includes a variety of delicacies, such as hearty dishes such as fish, meat, vegetables, and a variety of desserts and fruits. It is believed that eating this hearty meal will welcome the new year with abundance and happiness.
In addition to sweeping up garbage and hosting family reunion dinners, some places have other customs. For example, in Guangdong, people will eat noodles on the morning of the third day of the new year, which means that there is a good start and auspicious wishes in the year; In Fujian, people gather wild vegetables and fruits and cook soup with their families, believing that this will bring good luck.
On the third day of the first lunar month, there are some things that people need to avoid and these things are seen as signs of bad luck. Specifically, the "three things to be avoided" include the following aspects, which are all related to poverty and misfortune, and people hope to pray for good fortune in the new year by avoiding these things.
1. Don't go out
On the third day of the first lunar month, people try to stay at home and avoid going out. Because people think that going out will lead to poor ghosts, which will bring bad luck. So this day is also known as "no going out" or "closing day".
2. Avoid debt collection
It is also not suitable to collect debts on the third day of the first lunar month. It is believed that collecting debts on this day will anger the god of wealth and affect the fortune of the year. Therefore, on this day, people try to avoid debt-related matters in the hope of praying for good fortune in the new year.
3. Avoid eating porridge
In some parts of China, porridge is avoided on the third day of the first lunar month. Because the character "thin" has the meaning of "thin" in Chinese, and "thin" and "poor" are pronounced similarly in dialects. Therefore, eating porridge will be seen as a sign of bad luck and will be seen as inviting poverty. Therefore, on this day, people will choose to eat rice or dry food to avoid bad omen.
These taboos and things to avoid are to avoid causing misfortune and poverty, and to bless a smooth and prosperous new year.
Although modern society is changing rapidly, and many traditional customs and concepts are gradually forgotten or ignored among the younger generation, the older generation still clings to these old traditions. They see these customs as not only a sign of respect for their ancestors, but also a good wish for a future life.
Therefore, respecting and passing on these old traditions is of great importance in order to maintain the diversity and richness of culture. In today's society, many traditional cultural practices are in danger of being forgotten and marginalized. However, these traditional cultural customs are not only treasures of Chinese culture, but also an important way for people to know and understand history and think about the meaning of life.
Therefore, we should respect traditions and pass on customs. Whether it is to welcome good luck, beckon the god of wealth, or to send poor ghosts, it has rich meanings and far-reaching meanings. Maintaining respect for and inheritance of customs not only helps to maintain cultural diversity and continuity of traditions, but also enables us to better understand and practice the excellent cultural traditions of the Chinese nation.
While embracing modernization, we should also preserve and carry forward these traditional customs, let them glow with new vitality in the new era, and continue to bring happiness and good wishes to people. It is only by adhering to traditions and passing on customs, and maintaining cultural traditions in a rapidly changing society, that we can better understand and find our own cultural identity and sense of belonging.