In the old lunar calendar, the fourth day of the first month corresponds to the sheep. ‘Sheep’ (羊) and ‘Yang’ (阳) share the same pronunciation in Chinese, which is why people often say ‘三羊（阳）开泰’ — an expression derived from this homophone that signifies auspiciousness and good fortune. It’s also said that the Kitchen God returns to the human world on this day after reporting to the Jade Emperor on the 23rd day of the twelfth month. To welcome him back, people do all kinds of preparations, hoping the Kitchen God will bring blessings and good fortune to their homes.
Sweeping Away the Old:
A Fresh Start for the New Year
On this day, people carry out indoor cleaning activities such as dusting and sweeping, a tradition also known as "sweeping the dust". The whole family pitches in, and everyone has a clear division of labor. The elders are responsible for wiping the high - placed furniture, while the younger generations take on the tasks of cleaning the floors and tidying up the sundries. The tools prepared are also quite particular. In addition to common items like brooms and cloths, feather dusters are often used to sweep away dust from walls and ceilings. The word "dust" (chen, 尘) is pronounced the same as "old" (chen, 陈) in Chinese. This homophone adds a symbolic meaning to the act of dusting: “removing the old to welcome the new,” signifying the desire to bid farewell to past troubles and misfortunes and embrace the new year with a fresh start. In addition, the whole family participating in sweeping the dust strengthens bonds and creates a warm and harmonious atmosphere at home, making the festive spirit even more palpable.
The customs of sweeping the dust vary slightly across different regions. In some places, it is believed that completing the task before sunrise helps sweep away bad luck more effectively. In others, a simple ritual is performed before the cleaning begins, such as lighting a stick of incense to pray for peace and prosperity in the household.
