Today is Little new year
Little new year "is one of the traditional festivals in China, also known as the Kitchen God Festival. The Chinese New Year has arrived, which means that the Chinese New Year is not far away
The Origin of Xiaonian
Little new year, a traditional Chinese festival, originated from the ancient worship of fire and belongs to the sacrificial festival.
During the pre Qin period, the sacrificial stove was listed as one of the "Five Sacrifices".
During the Qin and Han dynasties, the worship of the Kitchen God began.
After the Wei and Jin dynasties, Zao Shen had a name;
In the Song Dynasty, the worship of stoves was relatively grand;
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, with the gradual disappearance of old-fashioned scholar stoves, the ritual of worshipping stoves gradually declined. But the tradition of celebrating the New Year has been preserved and has become a unique custom of the Chinese nation
The Customs of Xiaonian
There are some differences in customs and habits between the southern and northern regions during the Chinese New Year in December, as follows:
1. Time
North: December 23rd.
South: December 24th.
2. Sacrifice to the Kitchen God
Northern China: The offerings are mostly sweet foods such as sugar melons and Kanto candies.
South: rice dumpling, maltose, fruits, cakes, etc
3. Dust sweeper
Northern region: The whole family is mobilized to thoroughly clean the house, including furniture, clothing, etc.
In the south, indoor cleaning is also carried out, as well as cleaning the courtyard and wiping farm tools.
4. Eat delicious food
Northern China: Eating dumplings means "alternation of old and new". In addition, sweet potatoes are also a specialty food of the Northern Chinese New Year.
South: Eating rice cake symbolizes that people's work and life are improving year by year. Some areas will also eat rice dumpling, rice cakes and so on.
5. Stick window decorations/write couplets
Northern China: On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, window decorations are beautifully cut, creating a festive and auspicious atmosphere. People will use colored paper to cut out various exquisite patterns, such as flowers, animals, characters, etc., and stick them on windows to add a festive atmosphere to the festival.
South: Writing Spring Festival Couplets
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, if the couplets are well written, good fortune will fill our homes. In some places in the south, spring couplets are posted at the beginning of the Chinese New Year to express good wishes for the new year.
