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 13, Day for Not Wasting Food (Feb. 13, 2024)
On the fourth day of the first lunar month, families traditionally eat the leftovers of the big dinners made during the past several days. It prevents wasting food and shows respect for families' hard work in preparations. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 13.
In the past, people would welcome back the Kitchen God on this day by burning incense, offering sacrifices, including delicious foods and fruits, and setting off firecrackers, hoping that the Kitchen God will continue to oversee and protect the household in the year ahead.
Day 12, Day for Resting at Home (Feb. 12, 2024)
On the third day of the first lunar month, people tend to sleep late to recover from staying up late on New Year's Eve and the first two days of the holiday. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 12.
In ancient times, people would also burn pine, cypress branches and portraits of the Door God on this day, which represented sending the Door God to heaven to celebrate the New Year. The family would then invite the Door God back on a selected auspicious day to guard the whole family and keep out evil.
Day 11, Day for Welcoming Son-in-law (Feb. 11, 2024)
On the second day of the first lunar month, a married daughter usually goes back to her parents' home along with her husband and children. Therefore, this day is also called the Day for Welcoming the Son-in-law. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 11.
In the past, a married daughter seldom returned to her parents' home after her wedding ceremony, so this day was a time for mother and daughter to share close stories. Daughters usually bring gifts such as meat, candy and noodles for their parents. Meat symbolizes a life of good fortune, candy represents sweetness and happiness, and noodles indicate wishes of good health and longevity. A family photo is usually taken on this day to cherish the precious reunion.
