Jumping Over the Fire

In Quanzhou, the tradition of jumping over the fire pile during the New Year's Eve vigil is an extremely important custom. At their own doorsteps, people pile up a small heap using "dust-removing" branches, some debris from cleaning, along with dried sweet potato vines, dried beans, peanut vines, and similar items. To this pile, they add a bundle of dried thorny grass, which, when ignited, produces a crackling sound.

At this moment, the head of the family offers incense in the brightly lit ancestral hall, while all the male members of the family wait beside the fire pile. Once the head of the family finishes the prayers and incense offering, the fire pile is lit. Some of the men start setting off firecrackers, and as they jump over the fire, they scatter salt into it to keep the crackling sounds going, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

This custom evolved from ancient times when bonfires were lit to scare away monsters. Over time, it incorporated auspicious wishes for prosperity and success, transforming into a lively Chinese New Year's Eve tradition of jumping over the fire pile.