In traditional Chinese folklore, the first day of the lunar month is regarded as the "bite festival". On this day, there are many folk Xi, the most notable of which is "eat 3 things, do 2 things", which means to pray for disaster relief and pray for peace and health for the family. This Xi is spread throughout China, reflecting people's desire for a better life and love for their families.
On the first day of the lunar month, many families follow the tradition of "eating 3 things". First of all, popcorn is essential. It is believed that eating popcorn can "bite off" calamity, which means to ward off evil spirits and avoid calamity. In addition, some places also have the Xi of eating rice cakes and dumplings. Rice cakes symbolize rising year by year, while dumplings symbolize reunion and wealth. By tasting these foods, one hopes to bring good luck and a good harvest in the new year.
In addition to "eating 3 things", there is also a tradition of "doing 2 things" on the first day of the lunar month. First of all, people will do a big cleaning on this day to clean up the dust and dirt in the home, which means to sweep away all bad luck. In addition, in some places, there is a Xi of wearing red strings or red bracelets to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
In modern society, although many young people may have forgotten traditional Xi customs, there are still many families who adhere to these traditions and hope to bring good luck and health to their families through these Xi customs. On this day, people also exchange gifts to express their concern and blessings to their family and friends.
Regarding this traditional Xi custom, folklorists say that although modern society is constantly evolving, these traditional Xi customs still have their own unique meaning and value. They are not only people's expectations for future life, but also the cherishing of family and affection. By participating in these activities, people are able to strengthen family cohesion and welcome the new year together.
In addition, experts also pointed out that the spread of these traditional Xi also reflects the profound heritage of Chinese culture. In the long course of history, people have integrated these Xi into their daily lives through continuous practice and inheritance, making them an important part of the Chinese national culture. These Xi are not only a formality, but also a kind of spiritual sustenance and yearning for a better life.
It is worth mentioning that with the development of the times, the celebration of the "bite festival" on the first day of the lunar month is also constantly innovating. Nowadays, in addition to the traditional "eat 3 things, do 2 things", many people also choose to participate in community celebrations, such as temple fairs, lantern festivals, etc. These activities not only make people feel a strong festival atmosphere, but also provide a platform for them to understand and inherit traditional culture.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, whether it is adhering to tradition or innovating ways to celebrate, people's love for their families and their expectations for a better life remain unchanged. By participating in these activities, people can not only experience the charm of traditional culture, but also bring a warm blessing and spiritual sustenance to their families. I hope that in the new year, every family can be happy, healthy and prosperous!