The custom of sending off the Ghost of Poverty on the 6th day of the 1st lunar month has been passed down from ancient times. The Ghost of Poverty is also called the Poor Wretch.

The book, “Records of the Seasonal Festivals” recorded: In the reign of Zhuanxu and Gaoxin, a boy was born and grew up in the imperial palace, who was often clad in the rags and known as the Poor Wretch. He died in the 1st lunar month one year and was buried in the palace. People said to each other, “Let’s send the Poor Wretch off have received widespread popularity.”

The Poor Wretch was said to be the son of an ancient emperor. He was short and weak. He was fond of wearing shabby clothes and eating porridge. Even if he was given fine clothes, he would not wear them until the clothes were torn to tatters or burned with holes. So he got the name of the Ghost of Poverty. The custom of sending off the Ghost of Poverty was fairly popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The ceremony is recorded in “Random Notes on the Customs of Seasonal Festivals”: the day before the day of man, people sweep rubbish together, and drop the rubbish on the crossroad with seven pastries on it.

In addition, cows were tied to the cart which was full of grains, and a sail was put on the boat. That is to say, when sending the Ghost of Poverty off, people had to offer him symbolic carriages and boats, as well as provisions. The widespread custom of sending the Ghost of Poverty off is a reflection of the Chinese people’s strong wish for bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new.