Xiaonian celebrated across China

: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, January 29, 2019

Editor's note: Xiaonian (meaning Little New Year) is a traditional Chinese festival occurring the week before the Spring Festival. This year it falls on Jan. 28 and marks the start of the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

On this day, according to tradition, households offer a sacrifice to the Kitchen God, named Zao Jun or Zao Shen, to pray for good luck and fortune. People may also burn paper with an image of the Kitchen God to send him up to heaven for his yearly report on each family member's behavior. The Kitchen God is then welcomed back by pasting a new paper image of him beside the stove.

People nowadays celebrate Xiaonian in various ways. China.org.cn presents a collection of photos to observe this special day.