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Third Day of Lunar New Year aka Xiao Nian Chao (小年朝) or Chi Gou Ri (赤狗日).
Xiao Nian Chao meaning having a rest after 2 days visiting and entertaining.
In the Ancient Era, due to the folks believed that on th 3rd Day of Lunar New Year, the Negative Star Lord (煞神/星) Tian Gou (天狗), Biao Nu (熛怒) & others will be out in the Mortal World to do inspection. In-order not to have any conflicts with them, the folks will stay at home and have a good rest before the visiting & entertaining start again on the 4th Day.
Due to the Negative Star Lords that are involved in the inspection, folks address this Day as Chi Gou Ri, meaning a Day of Star Lord Tian Gou & Biao Nu.
Besides that, in the Ancient Era, folks also believed that on the night of the 3rd Day, is the Wedding Day of the Rats, Mice & Mouse (老鼠娶親日), in-order not to disturb the Rats getting married, the folks will tend to rest early on the 3rd night. Some of them will try not to light any candles or oil lamps too.
For the Min Nan People (Hokkien 閩南人), due to on the 3rd Day, no visiting is allowed, the Min Nan People will visit Tombs to pay respect to the Ancestors or Fore-fathers (出郊展墓). During the visiting, grand dishes and cookies will be prepared for the offering.
After the offering, the family will enjoy themselves with the food & wine, quite similar to the Custom of Qing Ming Festival (清明節).
In todays Society, the Min Nan Clan Association (閩南公會/公所) will try to find a Day that suits every member and then gathered around to visit tombs to do their offerings. Some will only do it during the Qing Ming Festival.
This practice is known as Chun Ji aka Spring Honouring Ceremony (春祭).
It was said that the third day is also the day of the pig created?
ReplyDeleteMy father was a butcher, and at that day , all the butcher will not sell/kill pig.
Yup, the 3rd day is believed to be the creation day of Pig. And yes, alot of folks will "give" a day off to all Pigs on this day :P
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