Editor's note:
The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, has been officially listed as a U.N. floating holiday as of 2024. This year, it falls on Feb. 10. To enjoy a
traditional and fascinating Spring Festival, the most important festival for Chinese people, here are 16 days with unique traditions you won't want to miss this holiday season.
Day 4, Tofu-dish-making Day (Feb. 4, 2024)
Many families like to make tofu or tofu dishes on the 25th day of the 12th lunar month, six days before Spring Festival. The origin for this tradition comes from the "fu" in the word "tofu" having the same pronunciation as the Chinese character "福," which means blessings and happiness.
Chinese people have a strong affection for auspiciousness during Spring Festival, so the pursuit of good luck is a constant theme throughout both the 12th and first lunar months of the year. In 2024, the Tofu-dish-making Day falls on Feb. 4.
Day 3, House-cleaning Day (Feb. 3, 2024)
Families traditionally clean their homes on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, seven days before Spring Festival, in preparation for the Lunar New Year. In 2024, the House-cleaning Day falls on Feb. 3.
In the past, families would sweep the courtyard, clean household appliances, wash bedclothes and dredge the farm ditches on this day. The tradition of thoroughly cleaning one's house carries the meaning of dispelling diseases and praying for good health in the coming year.
Day 2, Little New Year (Feb. 2 or 3, 2024)
Little New Year, regarded as the prologue to Spring Festival, is celebrated on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month in North China and on the 24th day of the same month in South China, eight or seven days before Spring Festival. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, respectively.
This day is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God and families usually make offerings to the deity on the day. It is said that the Kitchen God returns to heaven on this day to submit his annual report to the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity of Taoism). Therefore, families offer sticky sweets to him in order to sweeten his tongue so that he only reports good things. Family members, especially children, also enjoy more sweets on this day.
