According to legend, the Kitchen God was originally a commoner named Zhang Sheng. After marrying, he squandered his family's wealth and eventually became a beggar. One day, he begged at the home of his ex-wife, Guo Dingxiang, and out of shame, he hid under the stove and died in the fire. Touched by his final repentance, the Jade Emperor appointed him as the Kitchen God, allowing him to ascend to the heavenly court on the 23rd or 24th day of the twelfth lunar month to report on the family's virtues and vices. He returns to the human world on New Year's Eve to continue protecting the household. To ensure that the Kitchen God speaks favorably in heaven, people often place couplets next to his image, such as “Speak well in heaven, protect peace on earth,“ as a way to seek blessings and smoothness.

　　小年到底是哪天？

　　When Exactly is Little New Year?

　　在中国，古人过小年有“官三、民四、船五”之分：北方地区多受官方文化影响，选择在腊月二十三庆祝小年；南方远离政治中心，倾向于腊月二十四过小年；而一些渔家，则会在腊月二十五过小年。

　　In China, there is a traditional saying about the celebration dates of Little New Year: “officials on the 23rd, commoners on the 24th, and fishing families on the 25th.“ In the northern areas, which have been more influenced by official culture, Little New Year is celebrated on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.In the southern regions, which are farther from the political center, it is observed on the 24th.Meanwhile, some fishing families celebrate it on the 25th.

　　小年有什么习俗？

　　What Are the Customs of Little New Year?