Day 1: Birthday of Chicken. Honor the most senior family members and relatives. Tea and eight or nine sweets are served on the "Tray of Togetherness." Citrus fruits signify gold, wealth, and good fortune. Avoid consuming meat.
Day 2: Birthday of Dog. The God of Wealth ascends to heaven. A day for wonton. Ancestors are honored, Married women honor their birth parents. Pets and stray animals are fed.
Day 3, Birthday of Pig, and Day 4, Birthday of Sheep: Deceased relatives are honored. Grave sites are visited and cleaned. Evil spirits are said to roam the earth on these days. Businesses are closed. Do not go outdoors. Those who must go outdoors should wear masks to protect themselves.
Day 5: Birthday of Ox. Day of the God of Wealth. Businesses reopen. Honor the five elements. A day for dumplings.
Day 6: Birthday of Horse. Visit temples, relatives, and friends. This is the day to "send away the ghost of poverty"--by throwing away trash, ragged clothes, broken things beyond repair, and dirty things.
Day 7: Birthday of Humans. The day the goddess created the world and humans out of clay. A day for fish and vegetables.
Day 8: Day of Completion, A day for family reunions.
Day 9; The Jade Emperor's Birthday.
Day 10: Honor heads of households.
Days 10 - 12: More bonding and celebrations with family.
Day 13: A day of dieting and temperance.
Day 14: Eve of the Lantern Festival.
Day 15: Lantern Festival, first day of the full moon. A night for special festivities.
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