Today is the Small New Year (Origin and Customs of Traditional Chinese Festivals)

Today is the New Year, which is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. It is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals. The New Year is the twenty-third day of the Lunar month on the lunar calendar, which is also called "New Year's Eve". It is one of the most important of the traditional Chinese festivals. It originated in ancient agricultural societies and was set up to honor the God of Zao. Ancient people believed that the god of the stove was the guardian of the family and could bless the family with peace, happiness and success. Therefore, on the day of the New Year, people would worship the God of the Zao in their homes to pray for family peace, happiness and smooth sailing.

Customs of the New Year

The customs of the New Year are very rich, mainly including the following aspects.

Sacrificing Zaoshen

Sacrificing Zaoshen is one of the most important customs of the Lunar New Year. People will set up an altar in their homes, place offerings, and then light incense and candles to pray to the God of the Zaos for peace, happiness and success of the family. The time for sacrificing to the Zaoshen is usually between seven and nine o'clock in the evening.

Sweeping Dust

The New Year is also a day for sweeping dust. People will clean their homes and clear out the garbage before the New Year as a sign of welcoming the New Year. On the day of the New Year, people will sweep the dust again to get rid of the bad luck of the old year and welcome the good luck of the New Year.

Cooking dumplings

The New Year is also a day for cooking dumplings. Soup dumplings are a traditional Chinese New Year food, symbolizing reunion and good fortune. People will cook soup dumplings on the day of Lunar New Year and then share them with their families. In the south, people also put fillings such as sesame seeds and red dates into the soup dumplings to add flavor.

Posting Spring Festival Couplets

Liu Nian is also the day to post spring festival couplets. Spring Festival couplets are a traditional Chinese New Year culture, which are written on red paper with auspicious words and pasted on doors or walls to welcome the New Year. People will put up spring scrolls on the day of Xiao Nian to welcome the arrival of the New Year.

Steps for the operation of Xiao Nian

Sacrificing Zaoshen

1. Prepare sacrificial offerings, including joss sticks and candles, paper money, fruits and wine.

2. Set up an altar in your home, either in a place such as the kitchen or the living room.

3. Place offerings and light joss sticks and candles.

4. Pray to the god of the stove for peace, happiness and success of the family.

Sweeping the dust

1. Clean up the garbage in the house, including the kitchen, bathroom and living room.

2. Wipe down furniture, floors, etc. to keep them tidy.

3. Wipe down windows, doors, etc. and keep them clear.

Cooking dumplings

1. Prepare the ingredients for the dumplings, including glutinous rice flour, water and filling.

2. Mix the glutinous rice flour and water and knead the dough.

3. Divide the dough into small pieces and roll them into circles.

4. Put the filling in the center of the round dough and roll it into a ball.

5. Cook the dumplings in boiling water until they float.

Posting Spring Festival Couplets

1. Prepare paper and pens for spring festival couplets.

2. Write down auspicious words, such as "good fortune, luck, longevity, and happiness" and "peace and good fortune".

3. Put the Chinese New Year couplets on the door or wall, paying attention to the position and the beauty of the font.

Summary

Today is the Lunar New Year, and the customs of sacrificing to the God of Zaos, sweeping the dust, cooking dumplings, and posting Spring Festival couplets are an important part of the traditional Chinese New Year culture. Through these customs, people can pray for peace, happiness and success of their families and welcome the arrival of the New Year. While preserving traditional customs, it is also important to focus on environmental protection and health to make the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year stronger.