Laba is celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month, referring tothe traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year. La in Chinesemeans the 12th lunar month and ba means eight. 十二月的.第八天就是腊八节，预示着春节的到来。
Laba rice porridge contains：
glutinous rice 糯米
red beans 红豆
millet 小米
Chinese sorghum 高粱
peanuts 花生
dried lotus seeds 莲子
dried dates 枣子
almond 杏仁
In the north, it is a dessert with sugar added; in the south, salt is putin. Some people like to add cinnamon and other condiments to addflavor. 在北方，人们会在粥里放糖，而南方偏好咸味的腊八粥。有人还喜欢加入桂圆来增添味道。
