What does it mean to send away poverty on the sixth day of the first lunar month? What are the customs on the sixth day of the first lunar month?

The customs in various regions of China are somewhat different, but on the sixth day of the first lunar month, all parts of the country will spontaneously hold the custom of sending away poverty. So what does sending away poverty on the sixth day of the first lunar month mean? What other customs are there on the sixth day of the first lunar month?

What does it mean to send away poverty on the sixth day of the first lunar month?

Sending away poverty on the sixth day of the first lunar month refers to sending away the poor ghost (the god of poverty), also known as the "poor son". The methods of sending away poverty vary in different regions of China. But it’s all to get rid of the poor. This custom generally reflects people's hope to get rid of poverty and have a more prosperous and happy life every day in the new year.

According to legend, the poor ghost was the son of Zhuanxu. He was weak and short, and liked to wear tattered clothes and eat porridge. Even if he was given new clothes, he would tear them or burn holes in them before wearing them, so he was called the "poor son" in the palace. The custom of sending away poverty was quite popular in the Tang Dynasty. Yao He, a Tang poet, wrote a poem: On this day every year, I pour wine and worship in the street. Looking at thousands of households and doors, everyone is sending away poverty. After the Song Dynasty, the custom of sending away poverty remained popular.

What customs are there on the sixth day of the first lunar month?

According to folklore, there is a tradition of "opening the market" on the sixth day of the first lunar month, which means opening the market, or opening the door to welcome customers.

In ancient times, businessmen would open their shops on this day and start business for the new year. Similarly in modern times, it is also the day when shops open and continue to operate. Many stores hold some activities, one of the most common of which is setting off firecrackers. When the firecrackers crackle, neighbors and passers-by will know that the store is open and they can come and shop.