In traditional Chinese folk culture, every day has its own specific meaning and exquisiteness. Especially during the Spring Festival, from the first day of the first lunar month to the Lantern Festival, every day is full of rich folk activities and profound cultural connotations. Among them, there is a sentence that is widely circulated: "If you don't go out on the second or third day of the first year, you will be empty in the end." This phrase means that on the second and third days of the first lunar month, if you do not follow some traditional customs and practices, it may lead to the failure of good luck and good fortune throughout the year. So, on the second day of the first lunar month, what three things should we "come out of"?
1. Go out of the house and pray for the New Year
On the second day of the first lunar month, the first thing to "go out" is the house. On this day, according to traditional customs, it is the day when the married daughter returns to her parents' house to pay New Year's greetings, so it is also called "Son-in-law Day". Daughters and sons-in-law will bring their children back to their parents' homes with rich gifts to reunite with their loved ones and celebrate the festive season together. Such customs not only embody the virtue of respecting the old and loving the young, but also enhance the affection between family members.
In addition to going back to their parents' homes to pay New Year's greetings, the second day of the first lunar month is also a good time for people to visit each other and pay New Year's greetings. People will go out of their homes to the homes of relatives and friends to pay New Year's greetings and send New Year's blessings and gifts to express the joy and auspiciousness of the New Year. When greeting the New Year, it is common to say auspicious words such as "Happy New Year", "Wishing you prosperity", "Good health", etc., to express blessings and good wishes to the other person.
Second, out of the old things, welcome the new year
In addition to leaving home to pay New Year's greetings, there is also a custom on the second day of the first lunar month to "go out" of old things, that is, to clean up. During the Spring Festival, people will carry out a comprehensive cleaning to sweep away the old things and garbage in the house to welcome the arrival of the new year. Doing so not only gives the home a new look, but also means saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, sweeping away all unlucky things, and welcoming good luck and blessings in the new year.
When cleaning, people should pay attention to the separation of garbage, especially for some dilapidated items that can no longer be used, you can choose to donate or sell them in exchange for some new items to decorate the home. This is not only in line with the concept of environmental protection, but also means "breaking the old and creating the new", bringing new atmosphere and hope for the new year.
3. Make a wish and pray for good luck
The last thing to "come out" is the wish. On the second day of the first lunar month, people can go to temples or Taoist temples to burn incense and pray for blessings, and express their wishes and prayers to the gods. These wishes can be related to career, wealth, health, family, etc., hoping to be blessed and blessed by the gods in the new year to achieve their wishes and goals.
When praying for one's wishes, people should maintain a pious and respectful attitude, and should not pursue material interests excessively, but should pay attention to inner cultivation and accumulation. At the same time, it is also necessary to link personal aspirations with social harmony, national prosperity, and people's happiness, and face life and work with a positive attitude.
The phrase "the second and third days of the first month are not out, and the first one is empty" reminds us to "go out" on the second day of the first lunar month, out of the house, out of the old things, and out of the wishes. Through activities such as New Year's greetings, cleaning, and wishing, we can enhance family and friendship, say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, and pray for good luck. These traditional customs are not only rich in cultural connotation and folk characteristics, but also reflect people's yearning and pursuit of a better life.
In this festive and peaceful festival, let us follow the old traditions, respect the folk culture, and inherit the excellent cultural genes. At the same time, let us pass on these traditional cultures and values to the next generation, so that the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation can be passed on from generation to generation.