As the Chinese New Year's first month, known as "Zhengyue," is approaching, it symbolizes a fresh start and new hopes for the year. People can refer to the lunar calendar to choose auspicious days. Come to the 2024 Zhengyue special section on Huayi Network to see which days are suitable!

What are the customs of Zhengyue?

1、Blessing on the First Day of Zhengyue
The first day of Zhengyue is the first day of the Lunar New Year, marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. On this day, people express their hopes for a better year through activities like paying New Year visits, staying up late, pasting pictures of roosters, and setting off firecrackers.
2、Returning to Parents' Home on the Second Day of Zhengyue
On the second day of Zhengyue, married daughters return to their parents' home with their husbands and children to pay respects to their parents and elders. After dinner at their parents' house, they return home and do not stay overnight. In some places, families also take a family photo on this day when everyone is gathered.
3、Not Going Out on the Third Day of Zhengyue
The third day of Zhengyue is known as the "Day of Red Dogs." It is usually not a day for visiting or greeting others, as it is said that conflicts may occur easily on this day.
4、Welcoming the Kitchen God on the Fourth Day of Zhengyue
On the fourth day of Zhengyue, the Kitchen God is welcomed, and all the gods are worshipped. According to legend, the Kitchen God checks the household registration on this day, so it is not advisable to travel far. This day is also considered an auspicious time for the gods to descend to earth.
5、Driving Away the Five Pities on the Fifth Day of Zhengyue
The fifth day of Zhengyue is commonly known as "Breaking the Fifth," and driving away the five pities refers to the five types of poverty: intellectual poverty, academic poverty, literary poverty, fate poverty, and social poverty. From morning, people set off firecrackers and clean their homes. Firecrackers are set off from inside out, while moving towards the door. It is believed that this drives away all bad things.
6、Sending Off the Poor Ghost on the Sixth Day of Zhengyue
The sixth day of Zhengyue is also called "Horse Day." On this day, people send off the poor ghost by throwing away the waste accumulated during the holiday, meaning to send away the bad luck and welcome the new year.
7、Human Day on the Seventh Day of Zhengyue
The seventh day of Zhengyue is known as "Human Day," the birthday of human beings. According to the "Zhan Shu" (Book of Divination), the order in which the heavens created the world starting from the first day is: "One chicken, two dogs, three pigs, four sheep, five oxen, six horses, seven humans, eight grains."
8、Grain Day on the Eighth Day of Zhengyue
The eighth day of Zhengyue is the birthday of grain, also known as the "Star Blessing Festival." It is believed that on this day, all the star deities descend to earth, and the stars appear in the sky. If the weather is clear, it indicates a bountiful harvest; if it is cloudy, it suggests a poor year.
9、Offering Prayers to Heaven on the Ninth Day of Zhengyue
The ninth day of Zhengyue is the birthday of the Jade Emperor. A grand ceremony is held to pray for favorable weather, peace, and health in the coming year.
10、Stone Day on the Tenth Day of Zhengyue
The tenth day of Zhengyue is known as "Stone Day," the birthday of stones. On this day, stone tools such as grinding wheels and mills should not be used, and even stones need to be worshipped.
11、Son-in-law Day on the Eleventh Day of Zhengyue
The eleventh day of Zhengyue is known as "Son-in-law Day," the day when fathers-in-law entertain their sons-in-law. The food left over from the celebration of the "Heavenly Father's Birthday" on the ninth day is not only eaten on the tenth day but also used to entertain the son-in-law and daughter, known as "Eleven invites the son-in-law" in folk songs.
12、Preparation for Lantern Festival on the Twelfth Day of Zhengyue
After the eleventh day of Zhengyue, people begin preparing for the Lantern Festival. Starting from the twelfth day, they select lanterns and build lantern pavilions. "Eleven is noisy, twelve builds the lamp tower, thirteen turns on the lights, fourteen shines brightly, fifteen is half the moon, sixteen finishes the lamps."
13、Lantern Festival on the Fifteenth Day of Zhengyue
The fifteenth day of Zhengyue is the Lantern Festival, the first full moon night of the year. Today's customs in our hometown include gathering together to eat rice balls (tangyuan) on this day, symbolizing reunion and happiness. After the Lantern Festival, people return to their respective jobs and resume normal life.