Days Before The Chinese New Year : 23rd of the last month

Here we would like to tell you some of the preparations that the Chinese do before ushering the new year. A week before the big day which is on the 23rd of the last month in the Chinese lunar calender, the Chinese will do offering to the Kitchen God or Zao Jun (灶君)in chinese.

The Kitchen God

He is a god sent down from Heaven to watch over the whole family. His duty was to report back to the Heaven annually on the 23rd of the last month in the Chinese lunar calender so the Heaven would know the condition of the family including on their family affairs and what have been done throughout the year. In order to ensure that the Kitchen God doesn't report any bad things about the family, they will offer sweet food to him.

One of the main offerings which is the "Nian Gau"（年糕） or sweet sticky cake, is a typical Chinese candy.

Nian Gao

The main reason for this was to ensure that the Kitchen God will only say sweet things about the family to the Heaven with the hope that the Heaven will continue to protect and bless the family. This tradition are still practice by many until today.

It seems that bribery has already been practiced since the olden days

So guys, you know what to do right on the 23rd of the last month. Haha offer more "Nian Gau" to the Kitchen God.

May the Heaven bless us all.