Welcome the God of Wealth
On the fifth day, known as "Po Woo", people stay home to welcome the God of
Wealth. The God of Wealth, called Marshal Zhao, is believed to bring people a
big fortune. Worshipped by the people from all walks of life in China, the God
of Wealth has a great influence and is the god for fortune-seeking people to
venerate and to make sacrifices to. Four demi-gods named Zhaobao, Nazhen,
Zhaocai and Lishi, were assigned to him, their responsibilities all related to
the granting of fortune. On this day every household hurries to welcome him by
exploding firecrackers or burning joss sticks. No one visits families and
friends on the fifth day because it is believed that it will bring both parties
bad luck.
People also greet the God of Wealth late on the eve of the Spring Festival.
On the occasion, incense is burned and sacrifices are offered. The image of the
God is put up in all households, hoping to have a better harvest and a better
income in the new year.
Sending off the Hungry Ghost
On the sixth day of the New Year or the Hungry Ghost Day the rubbish in the
house is being disposed off and clothes have to be washed. It is the day to send
off the Hungry Ghost. Together, old and young, they kick the hungry ghost out of
the house by setting off more firecrackers so that wealth can come in easily
into the house without any obstruction.
The following week is a time for eating, drinking, socializing and
merrymaking.
Lantern Festival&
yuanxiao
The Lantern Festival sets in on the 15th day of
the new year to bring the Spring Festival celebration to a close. In the past
Chinese people usually used the word "yuan" to mean "first" (first month, first
year, etc) and called night "xiao". The 15th day is the first night of the full
moon. Hence the day is also called Yuanxiao Festival.
It is celebrated with lantern shows and folk dances everywhere. When darkness
falls, all streets and lanes -- big or small -- are decorated with different
lanterns; people admire them, guess riddles
written on lanterns and eat yuanxiao or tangyuan (sweet dumplings made of
glutinous rice flour and stuffed with either sweet or spicy fillings) -- all of
which have been handed down for generations. Fireworks light up the night sky
and the popping firecrackers can be heard everywhere.
The festival season comes to an end with the arrival of the Lantern Festival,
after which Chinese people return to work after their New Year's celebration.
