Kitchen gods are fed and the house is completely cleaned. Sharp objects are avoided while feasts are prepared. All this is part of the celebration of "Yuan Tan".
The Chinese New Year is called Yuan Tan by the Chinese. Yuan Tan is celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Even before Yuan Tan the house is full of excitement. Every nook and corner must be cleaned out.
A week before, the kitchen god, which watches the family, is offered sweets so that when he is burned and brought to heaven to report he will only say sweet things. Sometimes honey is also given to make sure he cannot open his mouth!
Sometimes a paper chariot is also made and burnt with the god. For seven days the god's shelf stays empty, and then the head of the family, usually the father, produces a new god made from rice paper and painted with bright colors.
The day before Yuan Tan is spent cooking for the feast. No sharp instruments can be used on Yuan Tan or, the Chinese believe, you might cut out the good luck.
On the night before Yuan Tan the children wait for New Year. After midnight on Yuan Tan the family greets each other, generally saying "Kung-shi" which means "I humbly wish you joy." Then they all go to sleep.
By Sharad Chandra Shukla
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