lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th; this day is called Lantern Festival. Kitchen God

In Chinese folk religion and Chinese mythology, the Kitchen God, named Zao Jun or Zao Shen ， is the most important of a plethora of Chinese domestic gods (gods of courtyards, wells, doorways, etc.). It is believed that on the twenty third day of the twelfth lunar month, just before Chinese New Year he returns to Heaven to report the activities of every household over the past year to the Jade Emperor (Yu Huang) who rewards or punishes each household accordingly.

Jade Emperor

The Jade Emperor ，is the Taoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese Taoist pantheons.

New Year couplet

Taboos

1. For years, people believe that they should not get a haircut during the first two days of the

Lunar New Year, as this could cause the death of someone in the family.

2. Another old convention told that bad luck would shadow anyone who shed blood on New

Year’s Day.

3. Another New Year’s no-no is using scissors and kitchen knives. Therefore, in the past,

many tailors stopped work for a few days.

4. The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all

brooms, brushes, dusters, dustpans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four"/SI/, which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided, as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning. On New Year's Day, people are not supposed to wash their hair because it would mean washing away good luck for the New Year.

Greetings

1. Best wishes for the year to come!

2. Good luck in the year ahead!

3. May you come into a good fortune!

4. Live long and prosper.

5. May many fortunes find their way to you!

6. I wish you longevity and health.

Discovering the Spring Festival