The New Year's Eve is the last night of the lunar year, which is also known as "the thirtieth day of the twelfth month." It is a time to sweep away the misfortune of the past year and welcome the good luck of the new year. So, is the New Year's Eve the same as the thirtieth day of the twelfth month? What are the customs and cultural practices of the New Year's Eve? Huayi Network brings you the latest information. As the end of the year approaches, the street gets more and more festive every day. Learn more about the 2019 Spring Festival by clicking 2019 Spring Festival.

Is the New Year's Eve the thirtieth day of the twelfth month?

The New Year's Eve is the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, also called the thirtieth day of the lunar year;
The New Year's Eve, also known as the big night of the year, was once called "the year's gate" in ancient times. It is the last night of the lunar year and connects with the first day of the first lunar month. The New Year's Eve is the last day of the lunar year and is the last festival among the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in China. Because it usually falls on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month in the lunar calendar, it is commonly called "the thirtieth day of the year," and the night of that day is called "the New Year's Eve."
This festival has evolved from the "expelling evil spirits" tradition in the Warring States period. "Expelling evil spirits" referred to the ancient practice of beating drums to drive away "evil ghosts" on the day before the new year, as recorded in the "Lüshi Chunqiu·Jidong Ji." "Expelling evil spirits" is the origin of the "New Year's Eve" festival. The earliest mention of the New Year's Eve should be found in historical records such as "Fengtu Ji" written by Zhou Chu of the Western Jin Dynasty.

What are the customs and traditions on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month?

Offering sacrifices to ancestors on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
Like the Qingming Festival, the Zhongyuan Festival, and the Chongyang Festival, the New Year's Eve is one of the traditional festivals for ancestor worship in China. The form of ancestor worship varies slightly from place to place. In some areas, people simply burn paper at the crossroads, while in most areas, descendants bring yuanbao, candles, and joss paper to the cemetery to invite their ancestors back home for the New Year.
In addition, on the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, the Kitchen God goes to heaven to report to Emperor Jade, and returns to the human world on the New Year's Eve. Therefore, on the New Year's Eve, it is necessary to welcome the Kitchen God. A new kitchen lamp should be installed in the kitchen, and incense should be burned in front of the kitchen altar. Then, the eldest member of the family presides over the ceremony of welcoming the deities at the table of heaven and earth.
Posting Spring Festival couplets on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
Before the arrival of the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, for every household, other door decorations can be ignored, but it is essential to post a pair of red, joyful Spring Festival couplets. Whether in cities or rural areas, every household will carefully select a pair of large red Spring Festival couplets to paste on the door to enhance the festive atmosphere and signify good omens for the coming year.
Wrapping dumplings on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
Wrapping dumplings on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month is a traditional custom in China. On this day, every household must eat dumplings, so they will get up early to wrap them. Among many dumplings, only a few are filled with peanuts or other nuts. Whoever eats these dumplings is believed to have good luck and auspiciousness in the coming year.
Lighting lanterns on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
On the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, red lanterns are hung in front of the house. These lanterns remain lit all night during the Spring Festival. From the thirtieth day of the twelfth month to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the lights must not be turned off. This symbolizes longevity and an unbroken lineage.
Having the New Year's Eve dinner on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
The thirtieth day of the twelfth month is the most important day of the year, and it is also the day of family reunion. On the night of the New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together, has the New Year's Eve dinner, and waits for the moment of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one. Every household prepares a very rich New Year's Eve dinner. Not only does it represent the harmony and unity of the entire family, but it is also necessary to offer sacrifices to the ancestors before the meal to pray for the protection of the ancestors' spirits.
Watching the Spring Festival Gala on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
There is no better way to gather the family than to watch the annual Spring Festival Gala. The Spring Festival Gala has gradually become an indispensable part of the New Year's Eve. The entire family gathers in front of the TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere that is unmatched by any other festival.
Setting off firecrackers on the thirtieth day of the twelfth month
At the moment when the midnight hour strikes, the New Year's bell rings, and the sound of firecrackers echoes through the sky across the Chinese land. At this "three origins" moment, the beginning of the year, the beginning of the month, and the beginning of the hour, some places also build a "prosperity fire" in the courtyard to symbolize prosperity and flourishing. Around the burning fire, children set off firecrackers, jumping around joyfully. At this time, the inside is brightly lit, the courtyard is full of bright sparks, and the outside is filled with loud sounds, reaching the climax of the festive atmosphere. Poets and scholars throughout history always use the most beautiful verses to praise the arrival of the New Year. Wang Anshi's poem "Yuanri": "In the sound of firecrackers, the old year is gone. The spring breeze brings warmth into the wine. The sun shines bright on thousands of households, and everyone replaces the old peach wood with new ones." depicts the magnificent and joyful scene of the Chinese people celebrating the Spring Festival.

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