The Xiaonian Festival originated from the ancient Chinese custom of worshiping stoves.

It is said that the Stove Lord was originally a commoner named Zhang Sheng. After marrying his wife, he spent all his time living in debauchery, ruined his family fortune and was reduced to begging on the streets. One day, he went to his ex-wife Guo Dingxiang’s house to beg. He was so ashamed that he dove under the stove and burned himself to death.

After the Jade Emperor found out, he thought that Zhang Sheng could change his mind and was not bad enough. Since he died at the bottom of the pot, he named him the Kitchen King and reported to heaven on the 23rd and 24th of the twelfth lunar month every year. Return to the stove at thirty. In order for the Stove King to "speak good things from heaven and bring good luck to the lower realms", people used sugar as sacrifices to make the Stove King "sweet". Therefore, the people have a "small year" sacrifice to the Stove on the 23rd and 24th of the twelfth lunar month to pray for Peace and wealth in the coming year.

The Little New Year time in the South and the North in 2021

The Little New Year time in the North is February 4, 2021, which is Little New Year’s Eve, which is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

The Little New Year in the South is on February 5, 2021, which is Little New Year’s Eve, which is the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Introduction to the customs of Xiaonian

1. Worshiping the Kitchen God

The Kitchen God is also called the Kitchen God. The idol is often posted next to the stove. It needs to be replaced on Xiaonian. Statues are dedicated to the Kitchen God, offering sugar and incense to pray for peace.

2. Sweeping and dust removal

Sweeping dust means cleaning, sweeping the yard, removing dust, sweeping the floor and cleaning windows, cleaning everywhere in the house, cleaning every corner, and removing dust. Let’s welcome the new year cleanly from the dust and troubles of the past year.

3. Buy New Year’s goods

The Little New Year is over, which means that the New Year’s Eve is not far away. You can start preparing for the New Year’s goods. At this time, there is already a strong atmosphere in the market. It’s the new year, and everyone is beaming with joy. You can start preparing Spring Festival couplets, blessing characters, and all kinds of new year products.

4. Eat Kitchen Candy

As the saying goes, "Twenty-three, Kitchen Candy is sticky." On this day, children can eat Kitchen Candy, and adults use Kitchen Candy to worship the Kitchen God and pray for God to say good things. , to ensure peace and prosperity in the coming year.

5. Eating dumplings

Twenty-three, small reunion. Since it is a reunion, many places also have the custom of eating dumplings during the New Year, which means reunion.

6. Head shaving and bathing

The main purpose of shaving and bathing in the New Year is to cleanse the body and remove dust from oneself, which means to remove the dissatisfaction of the old year and welcome the new year with a brand new self. Good luck in the coming year.

It can be known that Xiaonian does not specifically refer to one day. Due to customs in various places, the days called "Xiaonian" are also different.