Little New Year, or Xiao Nian Festival, marks the start of Spring Festival celebrations.

The festival is celebrated across China, with the specific dates varying by region. In North China, the festival falls on the 23rd day of the 12th month in the traditional Chinese calendar, while in South China, it is observed on the 24th, which falls on Jan 23 this year.

Origins of Little New Year

The origins of Little New Year trace back to the ancient custom of worshipping the Kitchen God, leading to the alternate name "Kitchen God Festival".

Legend has it that the Kitchen God oversees the kitchen and food of every household. Each year, on the 23rd or 24th day of the 12th month of traditional Chinese calendar, he ascends to heaven to report on each household's conduct over the past year to the Jade Emperor. To ensure a favorable report, families offer sacrifices and sweet treats to the Kitchen God, hoping for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Customs of Little New Year

1. Worshipping the Kitchen God

Worship of the Kitchen God is the Little New Year festival’s central custom. Families prepare an altar and offer sweets like candies and fruits, which traditionally symbolize "sweet words".

2. House cleaning

Known as "sweeping the dust", this custom involves a thorough house cleaning, symbolizing the removal of old, bad luck and the welcoming of new beginnings.

3. Eating candy

Candies such as malt sugar candy, sesame candy, and peanut candy are offered to the Kitchen God and enjoyed as festive treats. They symbolize a sweet life and aim to "sweeten" the Kitchen God's report.

4. Paper-cutting decorations

Families make colorful paper cuttings of auspicious characters and animals to decorate their windows, adding to the festive atmosphere and expressing wishes for the New Year.

Vocabulary

小年

xiǎo nián

Xiao Nian Festival; Little New Year; Kitchen God Festival

传统节日

chuán tǒng jié rì

traditional festival

祭祀

jì sì

worship

麦芽糖

mài yá táng

malt sugar candy

大扫除

dà sǎo chú

house cleaning

除旧迎新

chú jiù yíng xīn

Bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

小年的起源可以追溯到古代的祭灶习俗。

xiǎo nián de qǐ yuán kě yǐ zhuī sù dào gǔ dài de jì zào xí sú

The origins of Little New Year trace back to the ancient custom of worshipping the Kitchen God.

灶神负责管理各家的灶火和食物。

zào shén fù zé guǎn lǐ gè jiā de zào huǒ hé shí wù

The Kitchen God oversees the kitchen and food of every household.