Layue, the twelfth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, began on December 31. It is also known for its numerous traditional customs, making it one of the most culturally rich months of the year. Among these customs is "sweeping the dust,” the Chinese tradition of cleaning the house on Little New Year.

In Chinese, the word for "dust" sounds similar to the word for "the old." On this day, thoroughly cleaning the house is believed to sweep away poverty and misfortune from the past year, making way for a prosperous new year.