New Year’s Day / “Spring Festival” (1st day of the first lunar month). The start of the 15 days of celebration. The Chinese name for Chinese New Year, called Chun’jie, literally translates into “Spring Festival”. Due to it being the official start of the spring season in the Chinese calendar. The start of new beginnings, new blessings, and new zodiac sign. The first thing a household must do in the morning is to have firecrackers lit at the front door. To scare away any bad spirits and old stale energies away so new blessings may start flowing in. It is also the day to honor the Sui Shen (岁神), the God of the Year. More commonly known as Tai’sui (太岁), the Year God isn’t a single deity, but a group of Gods and Goddesses. There are sixty of them and they each correspond to a zodiac sign in the 60-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Bet y’all didn’t know that either! There’s much more to the Chinese zodiac, they each got a God or Goddess associated with them as well! it’s more than some cute picture on paper mat in your Chinese restaurant. Not to be confused with the Japanese Toshigami (岁神), which is a similar deity but as I understand is a singular spirit unrelated to the sixty year Gods in Chinese folk religion. For example, 2021 is the year of the Metal Ox. The Tai’sui corresponding to the Metal Ox is Yang’xin Dajiangjun (杨信大将军), or “General Yang’xin. So on this day, he would be worshipped. One would either visit a local shrine or temple where would be an altar erected to him, or erect an altar to him at home. It is advised everyone, no matter what year one is born, to pay their respects and give a lil’ something. Because the Sui Shen is in charge of their year’s fortunes, good and bad. Therefor it’s important to get on their good side and do a lil’ bootlicking, so to speak.
a small statue of General Yang’xin, the Sui Shen of 2021, the year of the Metal Ox.
Traditionally, the first meal of the new year is to be devoid of meat.A stark contrast to the gluttony of the night before. The breakfast or brunch of new year’s day would be close to a vegan meal. Because even eggs and dairy would be off-limits for the day. New year’s day is also sometimes called “fasting day” for this reason. It is taboo is wear any thing stained, dirty, ripped, or just old on this day. Usually folks would have an entire new outfit bought for this day. And as always, the ancestors would be fed the first thing in the morning and incense offered. It is also taboo to use the broom or mop on this way, for it’s said that you would be sweeping away all the new blessings of the new year.
Second day of New Year / “Day of breaking fast” (开斋日) As new year’s day is the day of fasting and abstaining from meat and animal products, this day is where one breaks the fast. The excessive drinking and foods returns! This meal on the 2nd day of New Year is called Kai’nian Fan ( 开年饭), or “year-opening meal”. Unlike the meal of New Year’s Eve, this meal is open to everyone and not limited to just family members or clan members. Friends, colleagues, roommates, whoever wants to join are all welcome to. The foods aren’t too different from the types served on New Year’s Eve, except that it must include carp, lettuce, and wontons (more about this below). This was also the day where couples would travel to the wife’s parents’ household to visit. They would stay and have this Kai’nian Fan meal with the wife’s side of the family and depart before sunset. A new tradition developed in the early twentieth century: family portraits. Since then this day is traditionally the day where family members all gather to have their family portraits taken.
The God of Wealth: The 2nd day of New Year is also one of the two days in the next 15 days dedicated to Cai Shen (财神), the God of Wealth aka Money God. Now I know y’all love that! Altars would be set up in shops, businesses, and courtyards of private houses. Small paper images of Cai Shen would be bought from the local shrines and placed upon the altar with candles and offerings. Ritual protocol demands that businesses and store owners offer what is known as the “Five Sacrifices” ( 五大供) along with other offerings. Depending on the region these 5 sacrifices could differ, but they are usually: a whole pig, a whole sheep, a whole chicken, a whole duck or goose, and a whole carp. They are then to be cooked appropriately and offered by the altar. The male head of the family, or the owner of the business would lead the ritual and then everyone present are to make an offering of incense and liquor. The paper image of Cai Shen would then be burned and the animal sacrifices be shared in the meal following. In this meal, wonton must be served. My nanna says it’s because wontons resemble the shape of gold nuggets back in the old days in the old country.
a statue of Cai Shen, the God of Wealth, Prosperity, and Abundance, appropriately gilded in gold
freshly made wontons, ready to be cooked.
It’s taboo to wash your clothes on this day for you will wash away the blessings and abundance Cai Shen bestowed on you. It’s always taboo is take naps on this day, as the God of Wealth detests any display of laziness. You want abundance? You better werk betch! Prayer without work is empty.
Another deity honored on this day is Shui Shen (水神), the God of Water. Also known by his title Shui’de Xingjun (水德星君). This is why on this day one avoid the unnecessary use of water, lest you offend him. Unlike other world religious systems, the God of Water in Chinese folk religion and Taoism isn’t a very gentle fellow. Quick to anger and generally seen as unpredictable and dangerous if provoked. This is someone who decided to crash the pillars holding up the sky once upon a time because he wasn’t happy he lost a battle and threw a tantrum. So no long showers, baths are out of the question, no laundry, and no sullying his sweet waters with mopping on this day. Observe these taboos and he will be appeased, and appreciate drinkable water that nourishes life. For even though water can be dangerous, it is also gentile and vital to life.
a statue of Shui’de Xingjun, the God of Water.
WHEW! i told y’all this was gonna be long. And we only on the 2nd day of the 15 days of New Year. Stay tuned for more.
UPDATED FOR 2022:
February 1, 2022 is the first day of Lunar New Year. It’s the year of the tiger. The Sui Shen, or Tai’sui of the year is He’E Dajiangjun ( 贺谔大将军 ). Or General He’E.
