Celebrated on the 23rd of the last lunar month, also called the ‘preliminary year,’ is a day for the Kitchen God to receive offerings from the Chinese. This god presides over the fortunes of families and on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, he will report to the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi) about their behaviour during the year to assess whether they deserve a punishment or a reward. So people put gifts in front of the Kitchen God’s statue, including sweets as well as water and soybeans for his horse.
Guandong candy is melted and put on the god’s mouth, meaning his lips will be sealed when it comes time to report to Yuhuang Dadi. Only men perform this rite; sacrifices are only offered by men, just as it is women who worship the moon.
From the 8th onwards, people clean their houses in preparation for the festival, and this usually continues until the festival day itself. This cleaning is intended to rid the house of bad luck and look as new.
In Beijing, the following day is dedicated to house-cleaning; women cover themselves, the beds and furniture before brushing the walls down and cleaning floors and tables.
It is definitely a time for a thorough clean.
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