Xie Tu
A ceremony to thank the local earth god after construction, acknowledging the disturbance caused by breaking ground.
After construction, renovation, or demolition work is completed, the traditional Xie Tu ceremony is held to thank the local earth god (Houtu) for their tolerance and protection during the project. The ancients believed that breaking ground would disturb the local deities, so upon completion, offerings of livestock and gold paper are prepared to express gratitude, praying for household peace and a smooth project. Some modern construction projects or home renovations still follow this custom.