The folk saying goes: "butcher a pig and get some meat to prepare for the New Year feast" on the 26th day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar.
中国有一句俗语：“杀猪割年肉。”农历腊月二十六正是杀猪割年肉的日子。
In the old days, many people could not afford meat and they saved the best for the New Year feast. People's livelihoods have improved greatly and meat is now a very common dish in daily diet, but the Chinese still prefer having meat during festival season.
旧时许多人买不起肉，所以就把一年中最好的东西留到新年团圆饭吃。如今人们的生活质量得到了极大的改善，一日三餐里肉食已经再常见不过，但春节期间人们仍然钟爱肉食。