【春節禮儀】祭灶神
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俗話說:“二十三,糖瓜粘” 🍭 每年的臘月二十三,在北方也稱 “小年”,在民間有個重要習俗,就是祭灶神。
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🔥灶神是誰?
傳說中,每家每戶都有一個灶神,被玉皇大帝派來管理這一家的灶火。灶神也是家中的守護神,護佑全家老小有飯吃,事業順利,平安吉祥!通常,灶神的形象有男女二人,人們稱之為灶王爺爺與灶王奶奶。
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🧧為什麼要祭灶?
灶神還負責監督和記錄一家的善惡行為。傳說中,灶神在每年臘月二十三會返回天庭,向玉皇大帝回稟一家人在去年的功過與是非。這將影響這一家在新一年中的吉凶禍福。
因此,臘月二十三也是民間祭灶的日子。大家會準備糖瓜與各類好吃的糖果與甜點來祭灶,為的是讓灶神粘嘴甜心,給玉皇大帝多說好話。🍯 所謂,上天言好事,下界降吉祥!
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🙏🏻 如何祭灶?
可以用紅紙列印灶王爺爺、灶王奶奶的神位,供在家中廚房區域。準備糖果供品,祭祀的時候,真誠意念著供養灶神,還可以在神位上方抹糖。願灶神護佑我們來年全家平安,心想事成,如意吉祥!🍀🌈
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備註:在南方,有些地方是臘月二十四祭灶神,可以按照當地的習俗做祭祀。
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了解更多重要的新年習俗,歡迎觀看《春節懂規矩,一年行好運》:https://youtube.com/live/LD5xSXGmDVM
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[Chinese New Year Traditions] Offering to the Kitchen God
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There’s a saying, “On the twenty-third, sugar melons are sticky” 🍭. Every year on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, also known as “Preliminary Eve” in northern China, there’s an important folk custom of offering to the Kitchen God.
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🔥Who is the Kitchen God?
Legend has it that every household has a Kitchen God, appointed by the Jade Emperor to watch over the family’s stove. The Kitchen God is also the guardian deity of the household, ensuring that everyone has enough food to eat, success in their career and endeavors, safety and auspiciousness! Typically, the Kitchen God is depicted as a couple, lovingly referred to as Grandpa & Grandma.
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🧧Why Offer Sacrifices to the Kitchen Gods?
The Kitchen God is also responsible for overseeing and recording the good and bad deeds of the family. According to legend, the Kitchen God returns to Heaven on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to report the family’s conduct and actions of the past year to the Jade Emperor, who is the supreme god in Chinese mythology. This will determine the family’s fortunes in the coming year.
Therefore, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is also the day for offering to the Kitchen God. People prepare sugar melons and various sweets and desserts as offerings, with the intention to make the Kitchen God’s words “sweet”, so he speaks favorably to the Jade Emperor. As the saying goes, “In Heaven, speak words of auspiciousness. On Earth, spread blessings of good fortune”!
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🙏🏻 How to offer to the Kitchen Gods?
You may print out the spiritual tablets of Grandpa and Grandma Kitchen God on red paper and place them in your kitchen. Prepare sweets and candies as offerings. During the ceremony, offer them to the Kitchen God with sincere intentions. You can also smear sugar on the spiritual tablets. May the Kitchen Gods bless our family with success and auspiciousness in the coming year! 🍀🌈
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Note: Some regions in Southern China offer to the Kitchen God on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month. You may perform your offerings according to local customs.
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Watch “Chinese New Year: Traditions for Good Luck” to learn about more important Chinese New Year traditions! https://youtu.be/8fRMwqIB1Po