春节英文小知识40词
The Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is a great occasion to the Chinese people. It lasts about fifteen days and is widely celebrated in China and other Asian countries. The festival marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and is often referred to as Spring Festival. It is a time for family reunions, feasts, and various traditional customs.
One of the most important traditions during the Lunar New Year is the reunion dinner on New Year\'s Eve. Just like Christmas Eve, families gather together to enjoy a sumptuous meal known as the \"年夜饭\" (nián yè fàn). This dinner signifies unity and prosperity for the upcoming year. People exchange blessings and talk about their expectations and hopes for the new year. It is a joyful occasion filled with laughter and warmth.
Children eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Lunar New Year not only for the family gathering but also for the traditional gift they receive. During the festival, children are given \"压岁钱\" (yā suì qián), which is a monetary gift placed in a red envelope called \"红包\" (hóng bāo). It symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the children.
Spring Festival is like the Christmas season in western countries. It is a time for people to express their love and blessings to each other. The festival is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and includes a wide range of customs and activities.
One traditional practice during the festival is hanging red lanterns and couplets on doors and windows. Red symbolizes good luck and happiness in Chinese culture. By decorating homes with red lanterns and couplets with auspicious phrases, people believe they can ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune.
Another popular custom is the lion dance. In this performance, a group of men dressed as a lion moves under a long cloth that represents the dragon\'s tail. The lion dance is believed to bring good luck and chase away evil spirits. It is accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals, creating a festive atmosphere.
Food plays a crucial role in the Spring Festival. Families prepare and enjoy a variety of traditional dishes that carry auspicious meanings. For example, dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity, while fish represents abundance and surplus. The round shape of dumplings and fish also signifies completeness and unity within the family.
In addition to these customs, fireworks and firecrackers are also an essential part of the Spring Festival. The loud noise and bright lights are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year. However, due to safety concerns and environmental issues, some cities have implemented restrictions on fireworks and firecrackers in recent years.