Sweetmeats are put into Zao Jun's mouth, firecrackers are lit to speed him on his way, before the lunar New Year's Eve, and a new portrait would be put on so as to welcome him back from heaven. [Photo/China.org]

Zao Jun

Besides offering sacrifices to the ancestors, ordinary families would "fete" the kitchen God, also known as Zao Jun, who reported to the emperor of the heaven about activities of every household during the past year. Sweetmeats were offered instead of other sacrifices for it is believed that the kitchen god cannot speak of bad deeds with his mouth glued with sweets. The portrait of Zao Jun is usually set on the eastern wall in the kitchen, with a couplet flanking it reading, "Take nice words to heaven, bring blessings for the household". On the 23rd of the last lunar month, Zao Jun would set off for heaven and would return to the household before the lunar New Year's Eve.