Inviting the Son-in-Law for dinner.

The 11th day of Chinese New Year.

20th February 2024 is the eleventh day of the Spring Festival.

It is the eleventh day of the New Year and also of the first lunar month.

Although there is a certain distance from the Spring Festival, it is still within the New Year period after all, so it is still a relatively special day. So, do you know what day the eleventh day of the first lunar month is?

What is usually done on New Year’s Day?

It's the day to invite the son-in-law.

It is said that this day is the day when the father-in-law entertains his son-in-law. There was a lot of leftover food left over from celebrating the birth of God on the ninth day of the lunar month, apart from eating it for one day on the tenth day of the lunar month.

Therefore, the family did not have to spend any more money and used the leftover food to entertain their son-in-law and daughter. The Chinese folk song is called "Inviting the son-in-law on the 11th day." .

The 10th Day of Chinese New Year.

The day the stones will be left unturned.

The tenth day of the first lunar month is the day of the Earth Sun. It falls on 19th February 2024 Tuesday and coincides with the Day of the Rain Water.

Legend has it that this is Stone's birthday. On this day, all stone tools such as grinding and milling are not allowed to be moved, and even stones are set up as sacrifices for fear of damaging the crops. In today's context, groundbreaking is absolutely inauspicious.

The earth and the sun are also called "the stone cannot move" and "the ten cannot move". It is a custom that on this day, every family pays tribute to stones and burns incense.

You must eat steamed buns for lunch. It is believed that eating buns will bring you good fortune within a year. There is an act of carrying stone gods.

On the night of the ninth day of the lunar month, people freeze an earthen jar on a large smooth stone. On the morning of the tenth day of the lunar month, a rope was tied to the nose of the jar, and ten young men took turns carrying the jar away. If the stone does not fall to the ground, it indicates a good harvest that year.

In another legend, Rats are considered harmful and inauspicious. They must be 'married off' to ensure a year of peace and prosperity. So, on the tenth day of the lunar month, in many places, lamps, incense and paper tributes are lit in corners of rooms, wall corners and water urns to congratulate mice for their marriage. Disturbing the peace of the Rats on this day will surely bring misfortunes.

Day 9 of the Chinese New Year.

Offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 9th day of Chinese New Year, effectively from 11.00 pm of 8th February, is dedicated to the Jade Emperor. It is also known as Heaven's birthday.

This is the day most ethnic Hokkiens, people living in the Fujian province, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, pay respects, offer gratitude and pray for another year of safety, protection and good fortune.

Revered as the Supreme Deity, the Jade Emperor governs over the universe, the three realms, ten directions, four life forms and the six paths.

The 9th day of the first lunar month is also symbolic of the ultimate Yang day during which the Jade Emperor takes the responsibilities of saving lives and protecting people from crisis and disasters.

The sequence towards the worship of the Jade Emperor is as follows:

1. Clean and dress up

2. Turn on the lights in the front of the house especially the living room area

3. Set up an offering table

4. Wait till 11.00pm on the night of 17th February 2024 and start praying
   

On the table of offerings shall be filled with:

1. 3 cups of wine

2. a pair of sugarcane complete with leaves on the side

3. 12 red-colored eggs

4. offering of gold and silver to offer the Jade Emperor

5. new year cakes（年糕） and the （红龟糕）

6. Bunch of bananas

7. a pineapple with the crown

8. mandarin oranges

9. pears

10. pomelo

11. 3 meat comprising fish, pork and chicken

12. longevity noodles（面线）

13. peanuts, peanut candies and sweets

14. 12 stalks of fresh flowers

We wish you much blessings and good tidings on this auspicious Day of the Jade Emperor.