大年初八：放生祈福

The eighth day is believed to be the birthday of millet¹, an important crop in ancient China.

初八被认为是中国古代一种重要粮食——谷的生日。

According to folk proverbs, if this day is bright and clear the year will be a harvest year; however, if this day is cloudy or even rainy, the year will suffer from poor harvest.

根据民间俗语，这一天如果晴朗明亮就预示着大丰收，而如果多云甚至下雨就预示着今年会歉收。

Meanwhile, people also set free captive animals on this day, with a blessing² for all living beings to flourish in the New Year.

此外，这一天人们还会放生动物，祝福新的一年里所有生物都繁荣兴旺，生生不息。