on the 23rd day of the last lunar month the kitchen god returns to heaven to give a report to the jade emperor (in chinese mythology the jade emperor is the ruler of heaven) about the family's activities over the past year. this day is marked by acts of appeasement to the kitchen god so that he will give the jade emperor a favourable report.

　　    traditionally images of the kitchen god are burned as a symbolic act of departure. often some gold or silver money will also be burned for travelling expenses. in some households the lips of the kitchen god are brushed with honey or a sugar solution just before the image is burned - this will increase the likelihood that only sweet things will be said by the kitchen god. from the 23rd the kitchen god will be absent from his shrine in the kitchen, and during this time it will be cleaned in preparation for his return on new year's eve.