Source: CCTV.com
01-20-2009 09:14
Special Report: 2009 Spring FestivalSunday was the 23rd day of the last month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The day is known as "Xiaonian" in Chinese, a traditional lunar festival paying homage to the legendary "Kitchen God". It is also a part of the run-up to the Spring Festival holiday. Li Xiang takes a look at the celebrations on the Xiaonian festival.
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| Sunday was the 23rd day of the last month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The day is known as "Xiaonian" in Chinese. |
For every Chinese, Xiaonian means the beginning of the preparations for the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year.
Traditionally, Xiaonian is the day for Chinese to pay homage to the legendary "Kitchen God" or "Zao Jun" in Chinese, who protects the hearth of every family.
People often offer sticky candies as a sacrifice to him. This is why such candies are so popular in supermarkets every year around this time.
In addition, getting rhyming, auspicious couplets is also a must for every Chinese family on the day of Xiaonian.
In Beijing's Dongyue Temple on Sunday, calligraphers were on hand to offer local residents the traditional spring festival decoration for free.
The poems on the couplets are usually blessings and auspicious words, such as "Springtime", "good fortune", "good health", "wealth" and "longevity."
