Why do some people celebrate the 23rd and others celebrate the 24th?

Generally speaking, it is 23 in the northern off-year and 24 in the southern off-year, so it is 24.

Traditionally, the day of offering sacrifices to stoves is the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. In most parts of the south, the ancient tradition of celebrating the 24th of the twelfth lunar month is still maintained. Since the middle and late Qing Dynasty, the emperor's family held a ceremony to worship heaven on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. In order to "save money", they also pay homage to the kitchen god, so most northern regions celebrate the off-year holiday on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month.

Ceremonies for offering sacrifices to stoves are mostly held at night. When offering sacrifices to the stove, the people who offer sacrifices to the stove kneel in front of the statue of the stove and hug the rooster. Some people even let children hold chickens and kneel behind adults. It is said that the chicken is the horse on which jujube ascended to heaven, so the chicken is called a horse instead of a chicken. Such as red rooster, commonly known as "red horse" and white cock, commonly known as "white horse". After ordering the incense table, the cigarettes in the room were filled with mysterious colors.

The host poured wine and kowtowed, muttering something. After reading it, the burning lamp shouted "collar"! Then pour the wine for the chicken head. If a chicken's head flutters, it means that Grandpa Jujube has been ungrateful. If the head of the chicken doesn't move, it needs to be watered again.