腊月二十四：扫舍去尘

Families undertake thorough house cleaning on the 24th day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar, sweeping¹ out the old in preparation for the coming year.

农历腊月二十四日，各家各户会进行大扫除扫舍去尘，预示着除旧迎新。

According to tradition, ghosts and deities² must choose either to return to Heaven or to stay on Earth during the last month of the year. It is believed that to ensure the ghosts and deities' timely departure, people must thoroughly³ clean both their bodies and their dwellings⁴, down to every last drawer and cupboard.

根据传统，各路鬼神在农历腊月必须决定自己是返回天庭还是继续留在人间。据说为了确保鬼神及时启程离开，人们必须彻底地沐浴干净、清理住处，哪怕是抽屉柜子也不能疏忽。