The third day of the Chinese New Year is considered an ominous day, as people in ancient times believed that it would be easy to misspeak or offend others on the day. Chinese New Year, the grandest festival for Chinese people, is celebrated for more than half a month. According to the oldest traditions, people follow a day-by-day schedule of Chinese New Year festivities from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, with specific things to do on certain days. The public holiday lasts from January 28th to February 3rd, during which the New Year's Eve on January 28th and the New Year's Day on January 29th are the peak time of celebration. The commonly known New Year calendar counts from the New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival on February 12th 2025. On the third day of Chinese New Year, known as 初三, it is referred to as 赤口/赤狗, translating to the day of red mouths or red dogs. Traditionally, people tend to stay indoors on this day because the red mouths signify a heightened likelihood of encountering conflicts and arguments with others. The third Day of 2025 Chinese New Year is the Mice Wedding Day, Friday, January 31, 2025. It is also called the Chinese New Year Red-Dog Day. January 31, 2025 is the birthday of Pig. The 15th day of the Chinese New Year is the Lantern Festival (元宵节 yuán xiāo jié). It traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. On this day, popular activities include lighting up lanterns, guessing lantern riddles, eating yuan xiao (a kind of rice ball), and enjoying time with families or lovers. 正月初三 (zhēng yuè chū sān) The 3rd Day of the 1st Lunar Month. Traditionally speaking, 初三 (chū sān) is also known as 赤狗日 (chì gǒu rì) - Red Dog Day, since legend says that this is a day of frequent quarrel and conflict. In hopes of avoiding such disputes, people would typically stay home and 祭祀神明 (jì sì shén míng) - offer sacrifices to the Gods. As the Lunar New Year unfolds, the third day, known as "Chor 3" in Cantonese dialect, carries its own significance in the tapestry of Chinese New Year traditions. It marks a continuation of familial ties, cultural celebrations, and the beginning of auspicious practices that shape the spirit of the festive season. Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival (see also § Names), is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year: Days 3–7 (Jan. 31–Feb. 4, 2025) From the third to the seventh day of New Year, Chinese people visit relatives and friends. On the third day, some people go to visit the tombs of their relatives, but others think being outside there on the third day is inauspicious because evil spirits roam around. Fourth Day of Chinese New Year 初四. The day to honour the Kitchen god who would return to Heaven to report on the family to the Jade Emperor, some place nian2 gao1 (New Year Sticky Cake) as offerings to appease the Kitchen god who then either can’t speak much due to the stickiness of the sweet cake or speaks sweet nothings about the family. Inauspicious to do visitations on the third day of Chinese New Year Bai nian (translate: paying respects) is a major activity during Chinese New Year. It means to go around visiting friends and relatives and bringing along some gifts for them. A shop selling decorations for the Chinese New Year in Wuhan, China (). The fireworks at Singapore's River Hongbao during the Lantern Festival in 2015. Chinese New Year, known in China as the Spring Festival and in Singapore as the Lunar New Year, is a holiday on and around the new moon on the first day of the year in the traditional Chinese calendar. Laba Festival (Jan. 7, 2025): Old Chinese New Year Calendar Start. Traditionally, the start of the Chinese New Year calendar is 'The Laba Festival' (腊八节 Làbājié), which occurs about three weeks before Chinese New Year's Day and is celebrated separately. Religious activities and preparations for Lunar New Year would begin on this day. This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of The Origin and History of Chinese New Year; The Top 3 Chinese New Year Legends/Stories; Chinese New Year Celebrations in Other Regions and Countries. Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China's mainland but also in various other regions and countries influenced by Chinese traditions and with ethnic Chinese populations. No rice on the 3rd day of the New Year. Rice is a staple food of Chinese people. According to the tradition, the 3rd day of Chinese New Year was regarded as the birthday of the rice and people should not eat rice on this day. If someone breaks the rule, it would lead to a decrease of the grain production. What Is Lunar New Year? Lunar New Year for 2025, is January 29th (Wednesday) and it changes date every year, as the date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar. Lunar New Year is a huge annual celebration that follows the lunar calendar instead of the regular calendar. The third Day of Chinese New Year is known as “Chi gou ri”, literally translated “Red Dog Day.” According to tradition, the “Red Dog” is the “God of Blazing Wrath" (熛怒之神), and whoever encounters or offends him will have bad luck.
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