Is there a custom of greeting New Year in Hedong (Shanxi)?

In Hedong (Shanxi), the custom of greeting the New Year during the Spring Festival includes: sweeping graves, worshipping ancestors and elders, and visiting relatives and friends in the neighborhood.

1, year of grave sweeping:

The custom of sweeping graves to celebrate the New Year is called "grave-sweeping year". In the first year of marriage, the new son-in-law went to pay New Year greetings, and there were many rules and regulations. Litchi and longan are essential gifts. This combination is called Baotou, and Baotou is the most important gift.

2. Worship ancestors and elders:

There are two main contents in family New Year greetings: one is to pay a New Year greeting to the gods of heaven and earth and their deceased ancestors. After getting up on the first day of the first month, you should first set up a portrait of your deceased ancestors in a prominent position in the altar in the hall, set up offerings, burn incense and light candles, and kowtow to your ancestors and all the immortals. The other is that the younger generation pays New Year greetings to the elders who are still alive. Usually, we should bow down to the deceased ancestors first, and then bow down to the living elders, including kowtowing to the elders, and congratulate them on a happy New Year and eternal health.

3. Visit relatives of neighbors:

Worship elders and ancestors, neighbors should visit each other, reminisce about the past and look forward to the coming good days. This kind of door-to-door New Year greeting between neighbors is generally not entertained by the host family. In the past, relatives and friends had to hold a banquet to celebrate the New Year, and the wine and meat were extremely rich.

Pay attention to etiquette:

1, bow gesture.

Since ancient times, the traditional New Year greeting gestures of gifted education have been different between men and women. The standard man's bow posture is that his right hand is clenched and his left hand is wrapped. Because the right hand is the attacker, it should be wrapped to show goodwill. Women, on the other hand, don't shake hands, just shake hands. This is in line with the tradition of "male left and female right" in China since ancient times. If the gesture is wrong, the meaning will be very different.

2. Choose a time.

Make an appointment before the New Year. Don't make an empty trip just because the host also goes out to pay a New Year call. At the same time, give the host a time to prepare in advance. It is best to let the host choose the appointment time, not unilaterally set the time. The appointed time is more convenient for both parties. Generally speaking, you should choose to pay New Year greetings to your elders in the morning, but not too early. Because you usually work hard, you usually get up late during the Spring Festival. If you visit your home too early, you will often catch your host off guard.

3. gift choice.

Give gifts appropriately. When giving New Year greetings to elders, teachers and teachers, you should bring some gifts appropriately. Gifts should not be too expensive and luxurious, but also "approachable". Holding a bunch of flowers and sending a beautiful greeting card has become a romantic and warm way for modern urban people to pay New Year greetings. New year's gifts should also pay attention to hygiene.

4. Dress code.

Pay attention to dress appropriately when visiting relatives and friends for the New Year. Holiday clothes are mainly urban leisure fashion. Don't wear too much exercise or formal evening dress. Generally speaking, warm colors are the main colors, and red is the best, which not only exaggerates the festive atmosphere, but also has the traditional meaning of seeking good fortune and avoiding evil.