大年初四：三羊开泰

February 8th: Day of the Sheep (羊日—yáng rì)

2月8日：羊日

In Chinese mythology, the world was created by Nǚ Wā (女娲). Sheep were created on the 4th day.

正月初四是女娲造羊的日子，故称“羊日”。

Lunar date——January 4th

农历——正月初四—zhēng yuè chū sì

Solar (Gregorian) date——February 8th, 2019

阳历——2019年2月8日

The old saying "three rams bring bliss" is connected with the fourth day, which says that by making a good beginning a happy end comes.

初四则和俗语“三羊开泰”有关，意思是岁首吉利就预示着岁末幸福。

Activities & traditions

传统习俗

The god of wealth is prayed to on this day. Offerings include three types of meat, fruits and wine. At midnight, people will welcome the god in by opening the windows and eating and drinking until daybreak.

大年初四接五路财神。供品方面：三牲、水果、酒菜齐备，还要焚香点烛烧金衣。

Food

食物

The welcoming of five gods (接五路—jiē wǔ lù) requires three tables of food. The first has kumquats and sugarcanes for a sweet life and successful road; cakes are on the second table. The third table has the main course of whole pig, whole chicken, whole fish and soup.

迎五路，即迎接五路财神(东、西、南、北、中五个方向的财神)，一般下午三点开始，晚上十点结束，先是摆案桌，一般用两张八仙桌拼起来即可。头桌是果品如广橘、甘蔗，寓意财路广阔，生活甜蜜;二桌是糕点，寓意高升、常青;三桌为正席，供全猪、全鸡、全鱼，并元宝汤等。大家满怀发财的希望，但愿财神爷能把金银财宝带来家里，在新的一年里大发大富。

Superstitions & beliefs

风俗和禁忌

It’s forbidden to slaughter sheep on this day. Fair weather is a sign that the sheep will be healthy this year and the family will have a bountiful harvest.

初四这一天不能杀羊，求神明保佑风调雨顺，家庭和睦，万事如意，三阳开泰，人畜兴旺，岁岁平安。

According to folklore, it is also the day to welcome back the Kitchen God. On this day, the Kitchen God would check the household and therefore people should not leave home.

民间还传说这一日是迎回灶神的日子。这一天灶神会清点每家的人数，所以切忌外出离家。

责编：周杨

来源：新湖南客户端