Source: chinaculture.org

01-18-2008 09:29

Spring Festival is a festive holiday, but it traditionally also had a number of strict rules. For instance, women were not allowed to go out to pay New Year's calls. On New Year's Day, women were not allowed to visit their parents; children were not allowed to cry or make noise; no one, old or young, was allowed to utter any inauspicious words; and it was forbidden to quarrel with neighbors. Also, it was forbidden to break any tools or furniture, or to seek the services of a doctor on this day. From New Year's Day through the fourth day of the new year, it was forbidden to do needlework, use scissors, or sweep the floor. It was not allowed to eat thin porridge on New Year's Day. These are just some of the various strictures and taboos surrounding this holiday. However, on the fifth day of the new year, all of the rules could be broken. As a result, the fifth day of the new year is popularly called Powu, or "Broken Five."

After "Broken Five," normal household tasks such as cooking can be taken up again. Usually the first thing that people make is jiaozi (stuffed dumplings). Shaped like the gold and silver ingots that served as money in ancient China, making dumplings symbolizes achieving prosperity. Starting on the fifth day of the new year, it is finally allowed to take out the garbage. This is also the day on which the offerings are taken off the altar. It is also the birthday of the Five Gods of Wealth. Merchants make offerings to the God of Fortune and Profit, and take down the paper seals that had barred access to their businesses during the holiday. The mood is festive as shops open for business again, and red banner flutter from signboards everywhere.

 

Editor:Liu Fang