As the Lunar New Year festivities transition toward the resumption of daily work, the fourth day of the new year holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, traditionally marking the simultaneous return and welcoming of both the God of Wealth (Cai Shen) and the Kitchen God (Zao Jun). To ensure a prosperous and harmonious year ahead, practitioners of traditional Chinese customs are advised to observe several key taboos and dietary restrictions, particularly focusing on reverence toward the deities overseeing fortune and the domestic sphere.
Navigating the Rituals of Chor Si
The fourth day of the Lunar New Year, known as Chor Si (Year Four), is a critical juncture where households focus on attracting future prosperity and maintaining domestic peace. The day is primarily dedicated to two major spiritual events: the welcoming of the God of Wealth back to the mortal realm and, crucially, the return of the Kitchen God, who ascended to heaven on Lunar New Year’s Eve to report on the family’s conduct.
According to long-standing traditions and guidance from cultural experts, successful observance of Chor Si hinges on avoiding four specific actions that could potentially offend the returning deities or invite misfortune:
- Avoid Excessive Frugality: This day is designated for receiving the God of Wealth. Conversely, believers are strongly encouraged to practice generosity, such as making donations or charitable contributions. Spiritual teachings suggest that holding back resources on this day can deter the God of Wealth, who favors those who are willing to share their bounty.
- Refrain from Long Journeys: As the Kitchen God returns to inspect the household’s affairs and conduct a “census,” families should generally remain at home. Undertaking long-distance travel is perceived as an act of avoidance or neglect, potentially displeasing the deity responsible for the hearth and family well-being.
- Forgo Needlework: Traditional belief dictates that using needles and thread on this day symbolizes “mending holes.” This activity is superstitiously linked to the idea that the household will spend the remainder of the year continually trying to fix difficulties or financial leaks. Furthermore, implements like needles are thought by some to possess sha (negative energy), making their use inauspicious during the festive period.
- Maintain Decorum in the Kitchen: The Kitchen God is not only the protector of food and cooking but also a moral overseer responsible for supervising domestic harmony and guarding against fires. To show respect and reverence toward this powerful deity, physical modesty and emotional restraint are paramount. Cultural experts emphasize the prohibition of loud arguments or nudity within the kitchen space.
The Significance of Abstaining from Mutton
Beyond the behavioral restrictions, a key dietary rule governs the fourth day: the avoidance of specific meat. Traditionally, households are advised not to slaughter or consume mutton (lamb or goat) on Chor Si.
This particular taboo stems from a mythological connection to the creation of the world. In the ancient Chinese creation myth of Nuwa, the fourth day of creation was dedicated to sheep, earning it the moniker “Day of the Sheep.” Moreover, the timing aligns with the auspicious idiom san yang kai tai (三陽開泰), which metaphorically means the “beginning of a peaceful and prosperous time.”
To honour the association with sheep and to ensure a year of smooth sailing and good climate (feng tiao yu shun), avoiding the consumption of mutton is viewed as a necessary act of respect and propitiation.
For those celebrating the Lunar New Year, observing these time-honored customs on Chor Si is considered an essential step in transitioning from holiday revelry to securing financial prosperity and domestic tranquility for the year stretching ahead. As the return to work looms, these rituals serve as a cultural anchor, reinforcing the deep-seated connection between daily life, morality, and spiritual fortune.