Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. In Chinese mythology, this day is believed to be the birthday of all dogs, so it is a common custom to treat pets and stray dogs with extra kindness and good food.
The God of Wealth presides over a vast bureaucracy with many minor deities under his authority. A majestic figure robed in exquisite silks, he is often pictured riding a black tiger; a golden yuanbao (an ancient ingot used for currency) is always close to him. Legend says that every Lunar New Year, Tsai Shen descends from heaven to inspect his followers.
People eat dumplings to honor the god because they are thought to resemble the yuanbao. Tsai Shen returns to heaven on the second day of the Lunar New Year to report on who should receive good fortune in the coming year.
Traditionally, this is the time for married women to visit their parents. In ancient China, women rarely visited their natal homes once they were married. Today, people continue the tradition of visiting their birth parents on the second day of the Lunar New Year. (Remember, these holiday commercials are sometimes real tearjerkers!)
The Haus of Dcaligari 