“一碗清汤诗一篇，灶君本日上苍天；玉皇若问东说念主间事，浊世著述不值钱。”这是宋代诗东说念主吕蒙正的一首祭灶诗。祭灶当日，又俗称“小年”，它看成农历新年的前奏，标识着除夜行将到来。 在中国，东说念主们投降有一位名叫“灶王爷”的神灵居住在家里的灶台上，而小年这天恰是其寿辰。过小年不仅是一段坚苦准备的驱动，亦然家庭连合和祝福的迫切技艺。

　　“A bowl of clear soup and a poem, the Kitchen God ascends to the heavens today; if the Jade Emperor asks about the affairs of the world, chaotic times make writings worthless.“ This is a poem by the Song Dynasty poet Lu Mengzheng for the Kitchen God Festival. On the day of the Kitchen God Festival, also commonly known as “Little New Year,“ it marks the prelude to the Lunar New Year, signifying the impending arrival of Chinese New Year's Eve. In China, it is believed that a deity named the “Kitchen God“ resides on the family's stove, and the Kitchen God Festival is his birthday. Celebrating Little New Year is not only the beginning of a busy period of preparation but also an important time for family reunions and blessings.

　　小年与灶王爷的据说

　　The Legend of Little New Year and the Kitchen God

　　据说灶王爷原为难民张生，授室之后败尽家业，陶醉为托钵人。一天，他乞讨到了前妻郭丁香家，因忸持一头钻到灶锅下面烧死了。感动于他临了的自新，玉帝封他为灶王，让其每年腊月二十三或二十四上涨天廷讲演这家东说念主的善恶，在大年三十复返东说念主间陆续看守家庭。为了确保灶王爷能在天上说好话，东说念主们会在灶王像双方贴上诸如“上天言善事，下界保吉祥”的对子，以此祝福求顺。

　　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，古东说念主过小年有“官三、民四、船五”之分：朔方地区多受官方文化影响，礼聘在腊月二十三庆祝小年；南迢遥离政事中心，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?

　　祭灶王：这是小年的中枢习俗之一。送灶时，东说念主们经常会在灶王像前摆放又甜又粘的糖瓜，寓意灶君吃了之后嘴被粘住不说流言，以求来年的吉祥唾手。

　　Worshipping the Kitchen God: This is one of the core customs of Little New Year. When bidding farewell to the Kitchen God, people typically place sweet and sticky sugar melons in front of his image. The idea is that after eating these, his mouth will be stuck and he won't speak ill, ensuring a peaceful and smooth year ahead.

　　吃灶糖：这是小年祭灶必备的食品之一，一口下去，甜甜黏黏。

　　Eating Kitchen God’s Candy: This is one of the essential foods for the Kitchen God Festival. With each bite, it is sweet and sticky.

　　大扫除：从腊月二十三起至除夜止被称为“迎春日”或“扫尘日”。在此时代，家家户户皆会进行一次澈底的大扫除，断根客岁的倒霉，理睬新年的好运。

　　Spring Cleaning: From the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month until New Year's Eve, this period is known as the “Spring Welcoming Day“ or “Dust Sweeping Day.“ During this time, every household conducts a thorough cleaning to remove the bad luck of the old year and welcome the good fortune of the new year.

　　剪窗花：在朔方流行剪贴窗花，喜鹊登梅、燕穿桃柳等精采的窗花图案奉求了东说念主们对翌日幸福活命的期盼。

　　Paper Cuttings: In the north, it is popular to cut and paste paper cuttings on windows. Beautiful patterns such as magpies perched on plum blossoms and swallows flying through peach and willow branches express people's hopes for a happy future.

　　吃饺子吃年糕：朔方小年有吃饺子的传统，取意“送行饺子顶风面”，送别灶王爷的同期也为家东说念主带来好运；南边小年吃年糕，因为“糕”谐音“高”，代表着生流水平一年比一年高。

　　Eating Dumplings and Rice Cakes: In the north, it is traditional to eat dumplings during Little New Year, symbolizing “sending off with dumplings and welcoming with noodles,“ bidding farewell to the Kitchen God while also bringing good fortune to the family. In the south, people eat rice cakes because “cake“ is a homophone for “high“ in Chinese, representing a higher standard of living each year.

　　小年已至，大年不远，游子们归家的路也更加明晰。带着对新年的盼望，家家户户在这温馨的氛围中理睬团圆与幸福的到来。

　　With Little New Year here, the Spring Festival is not far away, and the path for wanderers returning home becomes clearer. Carrying expectations for the new year, families welcome reunion and happiness in this warm atmosphere.

　　（部分素材开首：天眼新闻 封面新闻）

　　无尽使命室出品

　　视频：周溪琳

　　案牍、配音：武玮佳