today is what chinese call "little new year," which falls on the 23rd day of the last lunar month in north china or the 24th day in south china, about a week prior to the spring festival.
on this day, it is a custom for chinese people to honor the kitchen god and sweep the dust away. they bid farewell to old bad luck and welcome a prosperous new year. as the year of the tiger approaches, families across china prepare for spring festival celebrations.
