Why do we sweep the floor on the third day of the Lunar New Year? What gods do we welcome on the third day of the Lunar New Year?

The third day of the Lunar New Year is also called Little New Year’s Day. It is recorded in "Qing Jia Lu Xiao Nian Chao" by Gu Lu of the Qing Dynasty: The third day of the first lunar month is Xiao Nian Chao, and people do not sweep the floor, beg for fire, or draw water, which is the same as Sui Chao. However, in some areas, it is customary to sweep the floor on the third day of the New Year.

Why do we sweep the floor on the third day of the Lunar New Year?

According to the custom in southern China, a "red mouth" (no talking) sign is posted on the morning of the third day of the Lunar New Year, as it is believed that quarrels are likely to occur on this day and it is not appropriate to pay New Year's greetings. The so-called "red mouth" is usually a red paper strip seven or eight inches long and one inch wide, with some auspicious words about safe entry and exit written on it. It is pasted on the top of the front and back doors. Another piece is placed on top of the garbage and taken out to be thrown away. These garbage are accumulated on the first and second days of the New Year. They must be cleaned up and thrown away on the third day. Otherwise, it would be like letting the gold, silver and treasures in the house flow out. So you must sweep the floor on this day.

Which god do we welcome on the third day of the Lunar New Year?

In most places, the third day of the first lunar month is the day to welcome the Kitchen God. From the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the Kitchen God is invited back and posted in the middle of the stove, and offerings are placed there. Incense is burned three times a day to offer sacrifices, which means blessing the family with a good harvest, a good harvest in the coming year, and enough food and clothing for the whole family. On the third day of the first lunar month, the Kitchen God must be sent away.

[Introduction to Kitchen God]

The Kitchen God is also known as the Kitchen King, the Kitchen Lord, and the Kitchen Lord of Life. According to Chinese folklore, the Kitchen God reports to heaven on the 23rd night of the 12th lunar month every year and returns to the human world on the 4th day of the 1st lunar month. It is the lowest level earthly immortal in mythology and legends. Commoners and common people set up a sacrifice, "either a door or a stove." The Chinese people have a very long history of worshipping the Kitchen God. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Kitchen God had a name. The "Jade Candle Treasure Book" by Du Taiqing of the Sui Dynasty quoted the "Book of Kitchen" and said, "The Kitchen God's surname is Su, his name is Jili, and his wife's name is Bojia." The Jizhong region supplied Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying. The worship of the Kitchen God embodies the Chinese working people's beautiful wishes of warding off evil, avoiding disasters and praying for blessings.