Learn Chinese by 8 Customs and 4 Taboos for the 4th Day of Chinese New Year

The 4th day of the Lunar New Year, often overlooked in the excitement of the early New Year celebrations, holds significant traditional importance for ushering in prosperity and good fortune, especially as we welcome the Year of the Horse. Let's explore the key customs and taboos to observe on this day.

8 Auspicious Customs for Prosperity

1. Welcoming Back the Kitchen God (接灶王爷 - Jiē Zàowángyé - Welcoming the Kitchen God)

The Kitchen God (灶王爷 - Zàowángyé - Kitchen God), who ascended to heaven on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month to report on the family's behavior, returns to his earthly post on the 4th day of the New Year. 

Traditionally, offerings of "tángguā" (糖瓜 - tángguā - sugar melon) are placed on the stove to ensure the Kitchen God speaks sweetly on the family's behalf throughout the year. 

"Niángāo" (年糕 - niángāo - New Year cake) is also offered, symbolizing "sticking the stove door" (粘住灶门 - zhānzhù zàomén - sticking the stove door) to prevent inauspicious energies from entering. A simple modern observance might include placing a few pieces of fruit candy, a bowl of rice cake, and lighting three incense sticks, silently wishing for peace and protection.

2. Welcoming the Five Paths of Wealth Gods (迎五路财神 - Yíng Wǔlù Cáishén - Welcoming the Five Paths of Wealth Gods)

Contrary to the common misconception that the God of Wealth is welcomed on the 5th day, the evening of the 4th day is the traditional time for "jiēlùtóu" (接路头 - jiēlùtóu - receiving the road head). 

The "Five Paths" (五路 - Wǔlù - Five Paths) refer to: East Path for attracting wealth (东路招财 - Dōnglù zhāocái - East Path Attracts Wealth), West Path for bringing treasures (西路进宝 - Xīlù jìnbǎo - West Path Brings Treasures), South Path for good fortune in business (南路利市 - Nánlù lìshì - South Path for Good Business Fortune), North Path for accumulating valuables (北路纳珍 - Běilù nàzhēn - North Path Accumulates Valuables), and Central Path for the Mysterious Altar (中路玄坛 - Zhōnglù xuántán - Central Path Mysterious Altar). 

To welcome them, light all the lamps in your home, open your doors and windows, and place pastries and wine as an offering, symbolically extending an invitation to the Wealth Gods.

3. Dispelling the God of Poverty (扔穷神 - Rēng Qióngshén - Throwing Away the God of Poverty)

This custom acts as a New Year "spring cleaning ritual." On the morning of the 4th day, thoroughly clean out all the trash and unwanted items accumulated during the New Year celebrations, a practice traditionally called "sòng qióngtǔ" (送穷土 - sòng qióngtǔ - sending off the poor earth). 

Open doors and windows while cleaning, and ideally set off electronic firecrackers to symbolize driving away "qióngqì" (穷气 - qióngqì - poverty energy) and "huìqì" (晦气 - huìqì - bad luck energy). 

A key point: never look back while disposing of the trash, as it might make the God of Poverty think you are reluctant to let it go, causing it to linger.

4. Eating "Zháluō" (吃折罗 - Chī Zháluō - Eating Leftover Stew)

"Zháluō" (折罗 - zháluō - leftover stew) is a unique New Year culinary tradition, referring to a hearty stew made by combining leftover dishes from the New Year's Eve feast, such as fish, meat, meatballs, and vegetables. 

Far from being just "eating leftovers," this custom symbolizes "zháluō jùcái" (折罗聚财 - zháluō jùcái - leftover stew gathers wealth), embodying the wishes for "niánnián yǒuyú" (年年有余 - niánnián yǒuyú - surplus year after year) and "jùshā chéngtǎ" (聚沙成塔 - jùshā chéngtǎ - gathering sand to form a pagoda, i.e., accumulating small gains into great wealth).

5. Welcoming the Five Traveling Gods (接五路行神 - Jiē Wǔlù Xíngshén - Welcoming the Five Traveling Gods)

Business owners might offer sacrifices of three kinds of meat, while ordinary families can simply place pastries. 

This custom wishes for safe travels and smooth business dealings in the new year (出行平安 - chūxíng píng'ān - safe travels, 生意路路通 - shēngyì lùlù tōng - smooth business in all directions).

6. Posting "Chūrù Píng'ān" (门贴“出入平安” - Mén tiē "Chūrù Píng'ān" - Posting "Safe Entries and Exits" on the Door)

The "Chūrù Píng'ān" (出入平安 - chūrù píng'ān - Safe Entries and Exits) door sticker should be posted upright on the 4th day, distinct from the inverted "Fú" (福 - fú - fortune) character. It symbolizes smooth departures and safe returns in the Year of the Horse.

7. Drinking the "God-Receiving Wine" (喝接神酒 - Hē Jiēshén Jiǔ - Drinking the God-Receiving Wine)

The whole family gathers to share a cup of wine, which should be filled to the brim without spilling. This symbolizes family harmony (家庭和睦 - jiātíng hémù - family harmony), as the God of Wealth is believed to favor harmonious households.

8. Setting Off "God-Sending Firecrackers" (放送神鞭 - Fàng Sòngshén Biān - Setting Off God-Sending Firecrackers)

Firecrackers should be set off from the inside out to drive away any remaining晦气 (huìqì - bad luck energy), clearing the way for welcoming the God of Wealth on the 5th day.

4 Taboos to Avoid (to Prevent "Wealth Leakage")

1. Avoid Breaking Things (忌摔坏东西 - Jì shuāihuài dōngxi - Avoid Breaking Things)

With the Kitchen God having returned and the Wealth Gods approaching, breaking items symbolizes "pòcái dǎngfú" (破财挡福 - pòcái dǎngfú - breaking wealth and blocking fortune). 

If you accidentally break something, remain calm and immediately say "suìsuì píng'ān" (碎碎平安 - suìsuì píng'ān -碎 (suì) sounds like 岁 (suì) meaning year, so "year after year peace"), transforming the inauspicious into an auspicious wish. 

Never say words like "huàile" (坏了 - huàile - broken) or "wánle" (完了 - wánle - it's over).

2. Avoid Scolding or Beating Children (忌打骂孩子 - Jì dǎmà háizi - Avoid Scolding or Beating Children)

Immortals are believed to be巡查 (xúnchá - patrolling) among households on this day, and family harmony is crucial for "nàcái" (纳财 - nàcái - accumulating wealth). 

No matter how调皮 children are, whether they've torn red envelopes or made a mess, use patience and guidance. 

Loud reprimands are believed to indicate an "unpeaceful household" (家宅不宁 - jiāzhái bùníng - unpeaceful household), causing the God of Wealth to take a detour.

3. Avoid an Empty Stove (忌空灶 - Jì kōngzào - Avoid an Empty Stove)

Since this is the day the Kitchen God returns, the stove should not be cold and empty. Keep the kitchen fire burning throughout the day, even if it's just boiling water or cooking a simple bowl of noodles. 

This "yānhuǒqì" (烟火气 - yānhuǒqì - the atmosphere of a living, cooking home) is considered the foundation of a thriving household (家宅兴旺的根基 - jiāzhái xīngwàng de gēnjī - the foundation of a thriving household), with continuous烟火 (yānhuǒ - smoke and fire) ensuring a steady flow of financial luck.

4. Avoid Long Journeys (忌远出远门 - Jì yuǎnchū yuǎnmén - Avoid Long Journeys)

The 4th day is a time of "hòushén" (候神 - hòushén - waiting for the gods), similar to waiting for尊贵的客人 (zūnguì de kèrén - honored guests) at home. 

The head of the household should be present. This is especially important for business owners, who should stay home to avoid the God of Wealth "pūkōng" (扑空 - pūkōng - finding the house empty), which could diminish their financial prospects in the Year of the Horse.

In essence, these customs and taboos are not about superstition but rather reflect our ancestors' beautiful aspirations for a good life. Attracting fortune in the Year of the Horse isn't about "waiting for the gods to bestow blessings," but about infusing the intention of "gathering wealth" into daily life: working diligently, treating others with kindness, and cherishing the warmth and bustle of home.

On the 4th day of the Lunar New Year, clean your house, make offerings to the Kitchen God, share a glass of "God-Receiving Wine" with your family, and observe these traditions. In doing so, you're not just preserving heritage, but also securing a favorable omen for the Year of the Horse.

May we all, amidst the氤氲烟火 (yīnyūn yānhuǒ - the misty cooking fumes), receive the Kitchen God's protection, gain the Wealth God's favor, and enjoy a year filled with prosperity and a红红火火 (hónghóng huǒhuǒ - thriving and prosperous) life!