In Chinese New Year tradition, Chigou literally means what?

In Chinese New Year tradition, Chigou literally means “red dog.”

Chigou is the name or epithet associated with the third day of the New Year, which is therefore called Chigou’s Day in some descriptions. The figure is linked to the God of Blazing Wrath, and the imagery helps explain why the day was traditionally regarded as inauspicious.

Folk customs connected with Chigou advised people to avoid arguments, visiting, and hosting guests. The belief was not uniform everywhere: regional traditions differed, and some people used the day for temple visits or other religious observances. These variations are normal in Chinese New Year customs, which developed across many dialect groups and communities.

“Red dog” is easy to confuse with the festival’s better-known zodiac animals, such as the dragon, tiger, or horse. Chigou is not the zodiac sign of a particular year. It is a religious and folk-belief term tied to the New Year calendar and the symbolism of the third day.