On this day, families traditionally worship the Kitchen God. Folklore holds that each year on Little New Year, the Kitchen God ascends to heaven to report a household's deeds—both good and bad—to the Jade Emperor, who then dispenses rewards or punishments. Thus, when sending off the Kitchen God, people place offerings of candies, clear water, beans, and fodder on the table before his image.
Sweeping Away Dust
From Little New Year until New Year's Eve, this period is known as the "Spring Welcoming Days" or "Dust Sweeping Days." Every household conducts a thorough year-end cleaning to sweep away the old and welcome the new, banishing misfortune.
Bathing and Haircuts
During Little New Year, both adults and children bathe and get haircuts.Folk wisdom even holds that "whether rich or poor, get a haircut for the New Year."
Weddings
After Little New Year, folk belief holds that all gods ascend to heaven, lifting all taboos. Marrying off daughters or taking brides requires no auspicious date selection, termed "rushing weddings." Until year's end, wedding ceremonies become particularly numerous.
Eating Zao Sugar
As the saying goes, "On the twenty-third, sticky sugar melts." During Little New Year, people buy sugar melons, hard candies, sesame candies, and other sweets to offer to the Kitchen God, hoping to sweeten his words and ensure he speaks well of them in heaven.
Cutting Window Decorations
Cutting window decorations is one of China's ancient traditional folk arts. The custom of cutting window decorations to welcome spring began to flourish after the Song and Yuan dynasties, symbolizing the farewell to the old and the welcome of the new, as well as the reception of blessings and auspiciousness.
What Does "Northern Little New Year and Southern Little New Year" Mean?
The timing of the Little New Year differs between northern and southern regions.
"Northern Little New Year and Southern Little New Year" refers to distinct observances in the north and south. The northern Little New Year typically falls on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while most southern regions celebrate it on the 24th day.
Ancient tradition held the "official third, commoner fourth, boat fifth" distinction: officials observed it on the 23rd, commoners on the 24th, and riverine communities on the 25th.However, as the north was closer to the imperial capital, folk customs gradually adopted official practices, unconsciously shifting the Kitchen God ritual to the 23rd day. The south, however, preserved the original Han tradition, maintaining the 24th day. To this day, the timing of the Little New Year remains distinct between northern and southern regions.