In ancient China's zhaji ceremony, a yearend sacrifice of thanksgiving, the emperor would lead a retinue of 100 officials, all clad in black, in "bidding farewell" to the Earth God as he retired for the winter. Farming activities were suspended and the breaking of ground was forbidden, to give the god time to rest. Work resumed in the spring after further ceremonies for the god.
古代天子在孟冬土地祭拜的「蠟祭」裡，天子率百官穿起黑服，代表為進入冬藏的土地「送終」，同時農事暫停，嚴禁動土，以利土地休息，待到明年春天土地社日之後，再開始新的一年的勞作。