Traditionally the Chinese Spring-festival starts on the 23rd day of 12th lunar month (腊月二十三) with the 小年 Xiao Nian.
腊月二十三——送灶上天
The twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month-send the stove to heaven
Commonly known as “小年Xiao Nian”, it is said that this day is the day when “灶王爷上天 The Kitchen God goes to heaven”.
腊月二十四——扫舍去尘
The twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month – sweep away the dust
Dust and sweep the house, this day is a customary cleaning day.
腊月二十五——推磨做豆腐
The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month – grinding tofu
Grind to make tofu. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor would visit the lower realms and eat tofu dregs to express his poverty.
腊月二十六——杀猪割年肉
The twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month—killing pigs and cutting meat for the new year
Pigs are slaughtered to cut their meat, and people can only eat meat during the annual festival.
腊月二十七——宰鸡赶集
The twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month – slaughter chickens and go to market
Slaughtering chickens, going to big fairs, and everything needed for the Spring Festival is in the process of being purchased.
腊月二十八——题写条幅
The twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month – writing banners
Make cake steamed buns. The ancients used peach wood as a wood to ward off evil spirits, which was later replaced by red paper.
腊月二十九——上供请祖
The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month — offering sacrifices to the ancestors
Go to the grave and make offering for the ancestors. The worship of ancestors has a long history.
大年三十——除夕守岁
New Year’s Eve – Keeping the New Year’s Eve
Two years old in one night, two days in five hours. The cold resigns from the winter snow, and the warmth brings in the spring breeze.
大年初一——金鸡报晓
Lunar New Year’s Day – Golden Rooster Announces Dawn
The golden rooster announced the dawn. The younger generation pays New Year greetings to the elders, and the elders give lucky money to suppress evil spirits.
大年初二——金吠报春
The second day of the Lunar New Year – the golden bark heralds the spring
Golden bark heralds spring. Relatives and relatives go to pay New Year’s greetings, the east family stays for dinner, and the west family arranges a banquet.
大年初三，肥猪拱门
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Fat Pig Arch
Pig Arch. When the son-in-law visits his father-in-law, and the daughter-in-law returns to her home, the presents bring an even number.
大年初四——三阳开泰
The fourth day of the Lunar New Year – Sanyang Kaitai
Sanyang Kaitai 三羊开泰 On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Sanyang Kaitai. The Stove Lord wants to check his household registration, welcome back the Kitchen God恭迎灶神.
大年初五——艮牛耕春
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year – Genniu Gengchun
The five roads are connected to the God of Wealth, east, west, north, south, and middle, and the five roads of wealth lead to each other.
大年初六——马到成功
The Sixth Day of the Lunar New Year – Immediate Success
Immediate success. Lijiu worship in the street. Thousands of households and thousands of doors, look at it.
大年初七——人寿年丰
The seventh day of the Lunar New Year – longevity and prosperity
Life is prosperous. Spread pancakes and eat Qibao soup to settle down and recuperate.
大年初八——放生祈福
The eighth day of the Lunar New Year – releasing lives and praying for blessings
Release life and pray for blessings. On the day when the stars go down to the lower realms, small lamps are made and sacrificed, every inch of time
大年初九——玉皇天诞
The ninth day of the Lunar New Year – the birthday of the Jade Emperor
Jade Emperor’s birthday. It is the highest god who dominates the universe, and people will hold sacrifices to celebrate it.
大年初十——祭石感恩
On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year—Sacrificing stones to give thanks
Sacrifice stones to give thanks. There is sky and earth, and the rice, wheat, and hundred grains.
正月十一——奉紫姑
Eleventh day of the first lunar month – Feng Zigu
Worship Zigu. Women who are deeply oppressed regard her as the patron saint of weak women.
正月十二——搭建灯棚
The twelfth day of the first lunar month – building a lamp shed
Build a lighthouse. The Lantern Festival is approaching, and preparations for the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival have begun.
正月十三——灶下点灯
The thirteenth day of the first lunar month – lighting the lamps under the stove
Light the stove. The Lantern Festival will be released and from the 13th, bamboo lanterns will be woven in alleys, bridges and roads.
正月十四——娘娘诞辰
The fourteenth day of the first lunar month – the birthday of the empress
Linshui Empress’s birthday, the god who saves women.
正月十五——夜照田蚕
The Fifteenth Day of the First Lunar Lunar New Year—Ye Zhao Tian Silkworm
The night shines on the silkworm. Looking at the color to judge the harvest of the year, and later evolved into watching the lanterns during the Lantern Festival
Written by XuanMenJun玄門君