One, the diet is different
North eat dumplings, the South do rice cakes, eat dumplings.
The north is to eat dumplings on the first day of the year, to take the meaning of "the old and the new, the change of the year," the meaning of the child. And because the dumplings are shaped like Yuanbao, cooked pots on the table to symbolize the "New Year's fortune, Yuanbao rolled in" good omen; the South, most of the rice cakes and dumplings, rice cakes harmonic "year high", to take the good omen of good luck. The dumplings are also called "dumplings", "round", take "family reunion" meaning.
Two, different recreational activities
In the north due to the cold climate, New Year's Eve are generally stay at home, and relatives and friends chatting and playing cards, few outdoor recreational activities. After the beginning of spring, there are more temple fairs in the north. Temple fair is the main activities of the spring in the north, some places the temple fair from the New Year began, New Year's Lantern Festival are temple fair, we here the temple fair generally from February, February 15 Chenghuang Temple, March 18 Laojun Temple.
In the south the temperature is higher than in the north, outdoor activities are more, the south of the dragon lantern dance is also a form of set "lion dance, dragon dance, rowing colorful boat, running bamboo horse, stilts and so on.
Three, different ways to keep the New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve night, the North is generally stay at home, while eating New Year's Eve dinner, while watching the Spring Festival Gala. If it is in the countryside, the fire pit and fireplace is indispensable, fire symbolizes red-hot, New Year's Eve this day must be the fire big, burning strong, red flowers shine on the body, shining on the walls, not only the body warm, the heart is also warm.
Southern people, after eating New Year's Eve dinner, the elderly sitting around the stove at home, talking about the family, talk about the year's harvest and next year's intentions, the young people are going out to shop and play, to meet the arrival of the New Year.
Four, snacks are different
In addition to the main food, snacks are essential for the New Year. Whether it's neighbors in the same village or relatives from afar, the role of snacks can't be underestimated. Snacks can coax children, can be used as a pre-dinner pad food, but also to pass the time of boredom. Snacks in the north are mainly nuts, like melon seeds, peanuts, etc., and in the north you have to buy a big bag of melon seeds for New Year's.?
Southern snacks are mainly desserts, such as rice cakes, osmanthus cakes, etc., rice cakes, also known as the harmonic "year high", heralding the work of a higher level, rice cakes are the South of the New Year's Day must have pastries.
Fifth, the small year time is different
Small year is relative to the big year, is the festival of worship Zaojun. Zao sends the Chinese working people's aspirations for a happy life, and prays to the gods to bless the New Year with peace, good luck, and peace in the years to come.
The timing of the New Year is different in the north and south. In the north, it is usually the 23rd day of the lunar month, while in the south, it is usually the 24th day of the lunar month.