Xiao Nian, literally, has three interpretations. One is that the twelfth lunar month is a month with twenty-nine days, the other is a festival, on the 23rd or 24th of the twelfth lunar month, the old custom is to worship the stove on this day, the third explanation is that the fruit trees bear less fruit and the growth of bamboo is slow. .
As a festival, due to differences in regional customs, Xiaonian has different meanings and customs across the country. For example, in most parts of the north, it is called the Kitchen Festival on the 23rd or 24th of the twelfth lunar month. It is a small year; many areas in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai call the fifth day of the first lunar month a small year; there are also many areas in China that call the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month a small year, and some places call the winter solstice a small year.
Customs of the Little New Year
1. Sweeping dust: Sweeping dust on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, sweeping the house: from the 24th to New Year’s Eve, the folks call this period "Spring Day" , also called "Dust Sweeping Day". "Sweeping the dust" means year-end cleaning. On this day, every household has to clean the environment, clean all kinds of utensils, remove and wash bedding and curtains, sweep the Liulv courtyard, brush away dust and dirt, cobwebs, and dredge open ditches and ditches.
2. Bathing: Both adults and children need to take a bath and have their hair cut. There is a folk saying that "if you have money but don't have money, you can shave your head to celebrate the New Year". People in Luliang area pay special attention to foot washing on the 27th of the twelfth lunar month. That evening, Aunt Ruzi washed her feet with boiling water. For girls who are not sensible, adults should also help girls scrub their feet clean, leaving no trace of dirt behind.
3. Eat Stove Candy: As the saying goes, "Twenty-three, sugar melons are sticky." During the New Year, people will buy sugar melons, Guandong sugar, sesame candy, etc. as offerings, praying to the Stove Lord for a sweeter mouth. God says good things.