As the 4th day of Lunar New Year 2026 unfolds today (February 20), households across the Chinese mainland and beyond are reviving the ancient tradition of welcoming the Kitchen God – a custom blending spiritual reverence with family bonding 🏮✨.
Known as Zao Jun in Mandarin, this deity’s annual "performance review" of household activities has taken on fresh meaning this year. Young families are adding modern twists like TikTok recipe challenges alongside traditional offerings of sticky rice cakes 🍚, while eco-conscious Gen Z celebrants craft biodegradable paper horses for the god’s symbolic return to heaven.
In the Taiwan region, night markets buzz with special "Blessing Bento" boxes containing symbolic ingredients. Meanwhile, overseas Chinese communities from San Francisco to Sydney host hybrid virtual/physical rituals through apps like WeChat – proving ancient traditions can thrive in our digital age 📱💫.
