Why is the Little New Year in the north on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while in the south it is on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month?

Image source: Visual China

“Xiao Nian, Xiao Nian, after today it will be the New Year.” Just reading the two words “Xiao Nian” makes people feel happy and warm.

Today is the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, which is the traditional "Little New Year" in the north, while most parts of the south will celebrate the Little New Year tomorrow.

Due to different customs and traditions, the concept and date of "Little New Year" vary across the country. However, the strong festive atmosphere is the same despite the differences. Amid the bustling atmosphere of fireworks, there rises the deepest affection.

Image source: Visual China

The ancient Chinese people celebrated the Little New Year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the common people on the 4th, and the boatmen on the 5th. That is, officials celebrated the Little New Year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the common people on the 24th, and the boatmen and fishermen on the 25th. The reason for this division is that before the Song Dynasty, the north was mostly a political center and was deeply influenced by official culture, so people chose to celebrate the Little New Year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, while the south was far away from the political center and celebrated the Little New Year on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. The old boatmen's custom is preserved in places along the Poyang Lake, and the Little New Year is celebrated on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month.

The Little New Year is an important beginning of the Big New Year and the prelude to the Spring Festival. No matter which day the Little New Year is celebrated, people's good wishes for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new are the same, and their good expectations for welcoming good fortune and blessings are the same.

01

The Little Year is very grand

Xiaonian is the day to worship the Kitchen God. According to folklore, the Kitchen God was originally a star in the sky. Because he made a mistake, he was demoted to the human world by the Jade Emperor to manage the kitchen fires of each family. At the same time, he has the duties of blessing and supervision, and is ordered to monitor the good and evil in the world.

In order to let the Kitchen God "say good things to the heaven and keep the world safe", every household respectfully worships the Kitchen God on the day of Little New Year, places offerings and presents him with candy, so that the Kitchen God can return to heaven smoothly, say more "sweet words" when reporting work, and pray for peace and good fortune in the coming year.

Image source: Internet

02

Xiaonian is delicious

As the times change, the ritual of worshiping the kitchen god is no longer common. However, that sweet taste has been passed down for a long time.

Sugar melon is sweet and delicious, and Guandong sugar is hard and crisp. For today's children, all kinds of candies are no longer new. However, only the one during the Chinese New Year is the most authentic and delicious!

Traditional dishes are of course also indispensable: dumplings in the north are fresh, fragrant and delicious, and rice cakes in the south are soft, sticky, chewy, mellow and delicate.

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03

Busy Year

In addition to offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God, there are many other things to do on the day of the Little New Year.

Sweeping the dust is an essential task.

Give every corner of the house that hasn't been cleaned all year a thorough cleaning, throw away the dust, and clear away the unhappiness of the past year.

“Whether you have money or not, you’ll get a haircut for the New Year.” Adults and children alike must take a bath and get a haircut on this day, in order to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new with a clean and refreshing look.

When the “Little New Year” comes, reunion is not far away. As the saying goes, “Whether you have money or not, go home for the New Year.” Putting aside all the fatigue and dust, being with your loved ones, and enjoying happiness and beauty is probably the best way to reunite!

Source: Xinhuanet

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