January 25, 2022 (Tuesday) is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and January 26th (Wednesday) is the 24th day. The twenty-third or twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month is also known as “Xiao Nian”, which is the beginning and foreshadowing of the entire Spring Festival celebrations.
Xiao Nian does not refer to a single day. Due to local customs, the days called “Xiao Nian” are not the same. In northern China, the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month is called Xiaonian, while in the south, the 24th of the twelfth lunar month is called Xiaonian.
In ancient China, there was a saying of “three officers, four people, and five ships” during New Year’s Eve, that is, the official family celebrated the new year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the common people celebrated the new year on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, and the people on the water welcomed the new year on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month. Later, over time, the northern region gradually regarded the 23rd lunar month as the small year, and the southern region designated the 24th lunar month as the small year.
Whether it is the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month or the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, if Laba is the opening gongs and drums of the New Year, then the small year is the prelude to the new year.
1. Sacrificial stove
Sacrificing the stove is a custom that has a great influence among Chinese people and is widely spread. In the old days, almost every kitchen was equipped with the “Stove Lord”. The sacrificial stove on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is closely related to the Chinese New Year. Because, one week later, on the evening of the 30th New Year’s Eve, the Kitchen Lord came to the world with the other gods with the good and bad luck that the family should get.
2. Write Spring Festival couplets
After the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, every household must write Spring Festival couplets. Folks pay attention to the fact that there are gods and they must be posted, every door must be posted, and every object must be posted, so the number of couplets in the Spring Festival is the largest, and the content is the most complete.
3. Eat stove candy
Kitchen sugar is a kind of maltose, which is very viscous. It is called “Kanto sugar” when it is drawn into a long candy stick, and it is called “candy melon” when it is drawn into an oblate shape. Put it outside in winter, because the weather is cold, the candied melon is solidified and there are some tiny bubbles inside.
4. Steamed buns
After the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, every household will steam buns. It is roughly divided into two types: worshiping gods and visiting relatives. The former is solemn, the latter fancy. In particular, a jujube mountain should be made to prepare for the worship of the kitchen master. “A family of steamed buns, the neighbors come to help.” This is often a great opportunity for folk women to show their dexterity and craftsmanship. A steamed bun is a handicraft.
5. Sweep the dust
After the stove festival was held, preparations for the Chinese New Year officially began. Sweeping the dust is the year-end cleaning, which is called “sweeping the house” in the north and “sweeping the dust” in the south. It is a traditional habit of the Chinese people to clean up before the Spring Festival. In the outdoor house, in front of the house, and behind the house, thoroughly clean up to welcome the new year cleanly.
