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中国传统文化专题——春节
A legend About Spring Festival
The Chinese New Year is now popularly known as the Spring Festival because it starts from the
Begining of Spring （the first of the twenty-four terms in coordination with the changes of Nature）. Its
origin is too old to be traced. Several explanations are hanging around. According to one of the most
famous legends, in ancient China there lived a monster named Nian who was extremely ferocious. Nian
lived deep at the bottom of the sea all the year round and climbed up to the shore only on New Year's Eve to
devour the cattle and kill people.
On one New Year's Eve, the people of village were getting ready to hide when there came an old
beggar. Seized with panic, the villagers were in a great hurry to run away. Only a grandmother gave the old
man some food and advised him to flee to the mountains to avoid the monster. But the old man said, "If you
allow me to stay at your home for the night, I'm sure to drive away the monster Nian." And the grandmother
left him in her home.
what the old man do during the night ?
Sticking red paper on the door
Burning bamboo to make sounds like explosions
Lighting many candles in the room
After seeing the red paper on the door, fumes and heard the explosions, Nian was scared away. The
next day was the 1st day of the first lunar month. People came back from their hideouts and found
everything safe and sound, they were quite surprised. The old woman suddenly realized what had happened
and told the villagers about the old beggar's promise. Since then,when ‘Nian’ came, every family were
door-closing, pasted red couplets and burnt fireworks to drive ‘ Nian’ away. Then " Nian" never came again.
From then on, people began to celebrate their triumph on the first day of the year. As time went by, Guo
Nian evolved to the Spring Festival today
General Customs of the Spring Festival
1. Purchase necessities for the New Year
2. Sweeping the dust
3. New Year Feast（年夜饭）
4. New Year’s visit and gift money
5. Setting off fireworks
6. Pasting Spring Couplets and New Year pictures
7. Pasting Paper-cuts and“Up-sided Fu”
8. Having jiaozi
9. Staying up late on New Year’s Eve
10. Watching the CCTV New Year’s Gala
11. Temple Fair
Food
年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake
团圆饭 family reunion dinner
年夜饭 the dinner on New Year's Eve
饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli
八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding
汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or
spicy fillings
糖果盘 candy tray:
什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune
蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health
西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness,
金桔 cumquat - prosperity
红枣 red dates - prosperity
糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come
糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship
花生糖 peanut candy - sweet
Origin
Chinese Spring Festival, also called Lunar New Year, has more than 4,000 years of history. Being one
of the traditional Chinese festivals, it is the grandest and the most important festival for Chinese people. It
is also the time for the whole families to get together, which is similar with Christmas Day to the westerners.
Originating during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th - 11th century BC), Spring Festival, which celebrates
family reunion, is full of rich and colorful activities, and hopes with the advent of spring and flowers
blossoming. People from different regions and different ethnic groups celebrate it in their unique ways.
中国的春节，也被称为农历新年，迄今已有四千多年的历史。对于中国人来说，这是规模最大，
人的真正教育始于阅读，今天你阅读了吗？
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最重要的传统节日。就如同西方的圣诞节一样，春节是一家团聚的日子。春节起源于商朝（公元前
11-17 世纪），为了庆祝全家团圆和表达对春暖花开的期盼，节日期间会准备丰富多彩的活动。不同
地区和不同少数民族人们会用自己独特的方式庆祝这一传统节日。
Festival Time
节日时长
It comes on the first day of Chinese lunar calendar and lasts for almost half of a month. But in folk
custom, this traditional holiday lasts from the 23rd day of the twelfth month to the 15th day of the first
month (Lantern Festival) in the lunar calendar. Among these days, the New Year’s Eve and the first day of
the New Year is the peak time. The exact days are different in every year according to the lunar calendar.
春节从农历新年第一天开始，几乎要持续一整个月。但在民间传统中，这一节日从腊月 23 日
就开始了，直到正月十五（元宵节）。在这些天里，除夕和春节第一天是最热闹的时候。根据农历，
每年除夕和春节所在的公历日期都有所不同。
History
春节由来
It is said that the custom of Spring Festival started in when people offered sacrifice to ancestors in the
last month of Chinese lunar calendar. At that time, people prepared the sacrifice by doing thorough cleaning,
having bathes and so on. Later, people began to worship different deities as well on that day. It is the time
that almost all the farm works were done and people have free time. The sacrificing time changed according
to the farming schedule and was not fixed until the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD). The customs of
worshipping deities and ancestors remains even though the ceremonies are not as grand as before. It is also
the time that spring is coming, so people held all kinds of ceremonies to welcome it.
据说，春节起初源于人们在农历腊月祭祀先祖，在那期间，人们为了祭祀会做大扫除，沐浴换
衣等等。后来人们开始在那一天敬奉神明。春节期间正好各种农耕活动结束，人们有空余时间。最
开始的祭祀日期由于农耕活动并不固定，直到汉朝（公元前 202 年-公元 220 年）才固定下来。祭祀
神明和先祖的传统延续下来，但并不像以前那样浩大。春节也是春天的开始，所以人们会举办各种
仪式迎接春天的到来。
Festivities Schedule
春节活动
Preparing the New Year starts 7 days before the New Year’s Eve. According to Chinese lunar calendar,
people start to clean the house on Dec. 24, butcher on Dec. 26th and so on. People have certain things to do
on each day. These activities will end Jan. 15th of the lunar calendar.
新年的准备工作在除夕前的七天就开始了。根据中国农历，人们从腊月二十四开始打扫屋子，
二十六日杀猪宰羊等等。每一天都有不同的活动，所有这些活动将在正月十五结束。
Customs and Practices
传统习俗
Every family does a thorough house cleaning and purchases enough food, including fish, meat,
roasted nuts and seeds, all kinds of candies and fruits, etc, for the festival period. Also, new clothes must be
bought, especially for children. Red scrolls with complementary poetic couplets, one line on each side of
the gate, are pasted at every gate. The Chinese character 'Fu' is pasted on the center of the door and
paper-cut pictures adorn windows.
过年期间，每家每户都会做大扫除，购买丰富的食物，包括鱼肉坚果，水果糖果等。另外，春
节必须买新衣服，尤其是给小孩子购买。门上贴上新对联和福字，窗户上还要贴上窗花。
Taboos
春节禁忌
The Spring Festival is a start for a new year, so it is regarded as the omen of a year. People have many
taboos during this period. Many bad words related to “death”, “broken”, “killing”, “ghost” and “illness” or
“sickness” are forbidden during conversations. In some places, there are more specific details. They
consider it unlucky if the barrel of rice is empty, because they think they will have nothing to eat in the next
year. Taking medicine is forbidden on this day, otherwise, people will have sick for the whole year and take
medicine constantly.
春节是新的一年的开始，预示着一年的运气，所以过年期间有很多禁忌，比如
“死”“破”“杀”“鬼”“病”这类字眼是谈话中要避免的。在某些地方还有一些特殊的禁忌，比如新年米缸
空了不是好兆头，因为这预示着新的一年将没东西吃，春节那天也不能吃药，这会预示着新的一年
疾病产生，医药不断。
Festival Food
节日美食
Food during this happy event has its characteristics, which is the representative of Chinese festival
food culture. Dumplings and the reunion dinner are indispensable at this time. Cold and hot dishes are all
served. Fish is always an important dish then, which expresses people’s hope of having a wealthy year.
春节期间的食物也很有特色，代表着中国传统饮食文化，饺子和团圆饭是不可或缺的，冷盘热
菜都得上，鱼也是春节一道重要的菜肴，它代表了人们年年有余的期望。
Best Places to Go
节日去去处
In China, different places have their own traditions and activities to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Beijing, Guangzhou, Xian and Pingyao are some good places to go if one intends to come during the time
period. If one does not want to travel so long, but still want to enjoy the atmosphere of Chinese New Year,
the local Chinatown is the best place.
在中国，不同的地方庆祝春节的方式和传统各不相同。北京、广州、西安和平遥是不错的春节
去处。如果国外的朋友不想去这么远的地方，当地的中国城是感受春节氛围的好地方。
历史文化：不变的春节 渐变的年俗
Spring Festival is the most important holiday for Chinese people. Excitement and happiness are
palpable this time of the year, and they reach the peak on lunar new year's eve.
春节对于中国人来说是最重要的节日。在每年的春节都让人兴高采烈，尤其是大年三十那晚，
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更是达到了高潮。
Through the 15-day period, which starts with the first day of the lunar new year and ends on the 15th
day (known as Lantern Festival), is relatively long, it is the busiest time of the year for Chinese people. The
arrangements they have to make for family reunions, buying necessities and preparing food keeps them
busy throughout the holiday. Many of them travel back home and meet friends over dinner and drinks. The
celebrations include decorating the house and setting off fireworks.
春节历时 15 天，也就从大年初一开始，到元月十五元宵节结束。这段比较长的时间是中国人
最忙的时候。他们为家庭聚会作安排，采购年货，准备丰盛的食物，以至于整个春节假期都忙忙碌
碌的。许多人在春季期间都要回老家过年，跟朋友碰碰头，聚个餐。庆祝春节也包括大扫除和放烟
火。
But we are talking about a tradition that seems to be fading.
但是我们现在要谈的是越来越淡的年味。
Spring Festival, as it is celebrated today, has undergone many changes, thanks to the country's
economic development and globalization.
现在的春节已经因为我国经济的发展和全球化的影响而改变了很多。
Yet no Spring Festival is complete without food. People could not get good food whenever they
desired in earlier times, something that does not apply to society today. More often than not, people faced
the risk of famine. The best time for people to celebrate was when food was available in plenty, and that
was possible in spring, or the beginning of the lunar new year. That was the main reason why Spring
Festival acquired such great importance among Chinese people.
但是没有哪个春节是完全离得开“吃”的。从前，不论人们提前多久想要买年货，总是不能如愿，
而现在早已今非昔比。过去常常还要闹饥荒。人们最好的庆祝时间就是他们能得到食物丰盛的时候，
也就是春天或是元月初的那段时间。那也是为什么春节对于中国人如此重要的主要原因。
But three decades of economic growth has ensured that people in China, except for those who are still
poor, can enjoy a good meal whenever they want. Such has been the change in people's fortune that some
have to be treated for obesity and other health problems associated with excessive eating
但是三十年来的经济发展已经让中国人，除了那些仍然穷苦的人以外，随时都能享受美食。这
得益于人民财富的增长，但是后者也导致一些人吃得太多而受到肥胖威胁和健康问题。
In the past, celebrations were limited to events like song-and-dance duets in North China, dragon/lion
dances in South China and fireworks, which required the joint efforts of the entire community. But
economic development and urbanization seems to have weakened the social links among people. Many,
especially those living in cities, are not interested in celebrating the festival with people they hardly know.
在过去，庆祝春节还只停留在北方的二人转和南方的舞龙舞狮等形式。那些庆祝活动往往需要
许多人合力才能办得起来。但是经济的发展和国际化程度的提升似乎已经将这种社会联系弱化了。
许多人，特别是城市居民，不太愿意与不相识的人一起共度春节。
Many customs associated with Spring Festival have changed, too. In the past, people used to visit
relatives and friends with gifts and lots of good wishes. Today, many people, especially the youth, use their
cell phones or the Internet to send their good wishes and even "gifts" to their relatives and friends. Some
may say this is a sign that people have become less caring about their near and dear ones, but we should see
this development as a time- and energy-saving exercise granted by the information age.
与春节相关的许多习俗也被改变了。在过去，人们常常会带着礼物走亲访友，互道祝福。今天
许多人，特别是年轻人，用手机或是网络向亲朋好友发去“礼物”和祝福。有些人或许会说，这说明
人们已经没有那么关心至爱亲朋了，但是我们应该把这种变化看作信息化时代省钱省力的好办法
In recent times, many people have started praying for a career promotion or more money instead of
invoking God or the Buddha for a healthy and long life and the welfare of their family. But the number of
such people is decreasing now, which shows that people are becoming more reasonable.
最近几年，许多人开始祈祷事业高升，财源滚滚，而不是求神拜佛，他们身体健康，长命百岁，
家庭美满。但是这样的人数现在正在减少，说明人们开始变得更加理性。
与老外话春节：中国餐桌礼仪和传统习惯
In China, as with any culture, there are rules and customs that surround what is appropriate and what
is not when dining, whether it is in a restaurant or in someone’s home. Learning the appropriate way to act
and what to say will not only help you feel like a native, but will also make those around you more
comfortable, and able to focus on you, instead of your interesting eating habits.
同其他国家文化一样，在中国，无论是在餐馆还是在家，用餐时也有很多禁忌。适当了解一些
中国的餐桌礼仪，不仅能让你更加入乡随俗，融入其中，而且能让别人注意到你，而不是你特别的
用餐习惯。
The customs surrounding Chinese tables’ manners is ingrained with tradition, and some rules are not
to be broken. Failing to understand and follow all of the rules could result in offending the chef and ending
the night in an unfavorable way.
有些餐桌礼仪是随着传统延续下来的，是决不能违反的。如果不了解这些餐桌礼仪并且破坏了
这些规矩，到时可能得罪厨师，扫兴而归哦。
1. The food is served via large communal dishes, and in nearly every case, you will be supplied with
communal chopsticks for transferring food from the main dishes to your own. You should use the
communal chopsticks if they are supplied. If they are not or you are unsure, wait for someone to serve food
to their own plate, and then copy what they do. On occasion, an eager Chinese host may place food into
your bowl or on your plate. This is normal.
1. 食物是通过大的公用盘子盛装的，基本上都会提供公用筷方便你将食物分到你自己的盘子
里。如果有公用筷子就用公共筷子分开食物。如果没有公共筷，或是不确定是否有公共筷子，可以
先等待，看其他人是怎么做的，然后效仿就行。有时候热心的中国主人会帮你将食物分到你的盘子
里，这很正常。
2. It is rude to not eat what you are given. If you are offered something you absolutely can't stomach,
finish everything else, and leave the rest on your plate. Leaving a little food generally indicates that you are
full.
2. 分到你盘子的食物你不吃是很失礼的。如果有些食物你真的吃不下可以先把其他能吃的吃
掉，然后把不想吃的剩在盘子里就行。通常盘子里剩下一点儿食物说明你已经吃饱了。
3. Don't stab your chopsticks into your bowl of rice. As with any Buddhist culture, placing two
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chopsticks down in a bowl of rice is what happens at a funeral. By doing this, you indicate that you wish
death upon those at the table.
3. 不要把筷子插在装满米饭的碗里。因为在佛教文化里，将双筷插在碗里是葬礼时的祭祀仪式。
如果你在餐桌上这么做，意味着你希望餐桌上在座的人死掉。
4. Do not play with your chopsticks, point at objects with them, or drum them on the table - this is
rude. Do not tap them on the side of your dish, either, as this is used in restaurants to indicate that the food
is taking too long, and it will offend your host.
4. 不要把玩筷子，比如用筷子指手画脚，或是在桌上敲击筷子，这些都是很失礼的，也切勿用
筷子敲击你的盘子，这在餐馆里是暗示上菜太慢，很有可能会触怒待客的主人。
5. When setting down your chopsticks, place them horizontally on top of your plate, or place the ends
on a chopstick rest. Do not set them on the table.
5. 当你想放下筷子时，要将筷子水平放置在你的盘子上，或者将筷子搁置在筷子架上，别将筷
子放置在桌子上。
6. Hold the chopsticks in your right hand between the thumb and index finger, and when eating rice,
place the small bowl in your left hand, holding it off the table.
6. 应该右手持筷，用大拇指和食指夹紧筷子。吃饭时，左手托碗，使碗离开桌面。
7. Do not stab anything with your chopsticks, unless you are cutting vegetables or similar. If you are
in a small, intimate setting with friends, then stabbing smaller so as to grab items is okay, but never do this
at a formal dinner or around those who adhere strictly to tradition.
7. 不要用筷子戳东西，除非是将大片蔬菜或其他食物分开。如果是跟亲密朋友的小型聚餐，将
食物用筷子分成小块方便夹取是可以的，但在正式宴会上，或是同桌人都非常遵守传统的场合千万
别这么做。
8. When tapping glasses for a cheer, be sure that the edge of your drink is below that of a senior
member, as you are not their equal. This will show respect.
8. 举酒干杯时要确定你酒杯里酒的平面刻度要比在座的长者低，以显示你们的辈分不同，这是
为了向长辈表示尊重。
9. When eating something with bones, it is normal to spit them out onto the table to the right of your
plate.
9. 在吃有骨头的东西时，要将骨头分离装在你右手边的盘子里。
10. Do not get offended if your fellow diners eat with their mouth open, or talk with their mouth full.
This is normal in China. Enjoy, laugh, and have fun.
10. 有时同桌的人嘴里满含食物跟你交谈时不要觉得被冒犯了。在中国这比较正常，因为人们
的理念就是吃饭时大声欢歌，尽情享受。
英语阅读：春节习俗：咱过年缺不了的 8 件事儿
Chinese New Year Celebration is the most important celebration of the year. Chinese people may
celebrate the Chinese New Year in slightly different ways but their wishes are almost the same; they want
their family members and friends to be healthy and lucky during next year.
春节庆祝活动是一年中最重要的庆祝活动。中国人庆祝春节的方式可能略微不同，但其愿望几
乎是相同的，他们希望其家人和朋友来年健康和幸运。
Chinese New Year Celebration usually lasts for 15 days. Celebratory activities include Chinese New
Feast, firecrackers, giving lucky money to children, the New Year bell ringing and Chinese New Year
Greetings. Most of Chinese people will stop the celebrating in their home on the 7th day of New Year
because the national holiday usually ends around that day, however celebrations in public areas can last
until the 15th day of New Year.
春节庆祝活动通常持续 15 天。庆祝活动包括春节的年夜饭，放鞭炮，给儿童压岁钱，春节钟
声和春节问候。大多数中国人将在春节的第 7 天停止庆祝活动，因为全国性节假通常在这一天结束，
但在公共场所的庆祝活动可能最终持续到正月十五。
House Cleaning
房屋打扫
To clean houses on the New Year Eve is a very old custom dating back to thousands of years ago. The
dust is traditionally associated with “old” so cleaning their houses and sweeping the dust mean to bid
farewell to the “old” and usher in the “new”. Days before the New Year, Chinese families clean their houses,
sweeping the floor, washing daily things, cleaning the spider webs and dredging the ditches. People do all
these things happily in the hope of a good coming year.
春节打扫房屋这个非常古老的习俗甚至可以追溯到几千年前。灰尘在传统上与“旧”联系在一起，
所以打扫房屋和扫除灰尘意味着辞“旧”迎“新”。春节的前几天，中国的各家各户都打扫房屋，扫地，
清洗日用品，清除蛛网和疏浚沟渠。人们兴高采烈做所有这些事情，希望来年好运。
House decoration
房屋装饰
One of the house decorations is to post couplets on doors. On the Spring Festival couplets, good
wishes are expressed. New Year couplets are usually posted in pairs as even numbers are associated with
good luck and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.
People in north China are used to posting paper-cut on their windows. When sticking the window
decoration paper-cuts, people paste on the door large red Chinese character “fu”A red "fu"means good luck
and fortune, so it is customary to post "fu"on doors or walls on auspicious occasions such as wedding,
festivals.
房屋装饰之一就是在门上贴对联。在春联上，抒发良好的祝愿。春联通常是成对张贴，因为双
数在中国文化中是好运气和吉祥的象征。
在中国北方，人们习惯于在窗户上贴剪纸。人们既在窗户上贴剪纸，又在大门上贴上大大的红
色汉字“福”字，一个红色“福”字意味着好运和财富，因此习惯上在婚礼，节日之类的吉祥场合中，
人们都会在门或墙上贴“福”字。
Waiting for the First Bell Ringing of Chinese New Year
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等待春节的第一声钟鸣
The first bell ringing is the symbol of Chinese New Year. Chinese people like to go to a large squares
where there are huge bells are set up on New Year’s Eve. As the New Year approaches they count down and
celebrate together. The people believe that the ringing of huge bell can drive all the bad luck away and
bring the fortune to them. In recent years, some people have begun going to mountain temples to wait for
the first ringing. Hanshan Temple in Suzhou, is very famous temple for its first ringing of the bell to herald
Chinese New Year. Many foreigners now go to Hanshan Temple to celebrate Chinese New Year.
第一次钟声是春节的象征。中国人喜欢到一个大广场，那里有为除夕设置的大钟。随着春节的
临近，他们开始倒计数并一起庆祝。人们相信了大钟的撞响可以驱除霉运，带来好运。近年来，有
些人开始去山上寺庙等待第一次钟声。苏州的寒山寺就非常著名，它的钟声宣布春节的到来。现在
有许多外国人也去寒山寺庆祝春节。
Staying up late ("Shousui")
熬夜（“守岁”）
Shousui means to stay up late or all night on New Year's Eve. After the great dinner, families sit
together and chat happily to wait for the New Year’s arrival.
守岁意味着除夕夜不睡觉。年夜饭后，家人聚坐一起，愉快聊天，等待春节的到来。
New Year Feast
年夜饭
Spring Festival is a time for family reunion. The New Year's Feast is "a must" banquet with all the
family members getting together. The food eaten on the New Year Eve banquet varies according to regions.
In south China, It is customary to eat "niangao" (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) because as a
homophone, niangao means "higher and higher every year". In the north, a traditional dish for the feast is
"Jiaozi" or dumplings shaped like a crescent moon.
春节是与家人团聚的时间。年夜饭是所有家庭成员聚在一起“必须”的宴会。除夕宴会上吃的食
物根据不同的地区各不相同。在中国南方，习惯吃“年糕”（糯米粉制成的新年糕点），因为作为一
个同音字，年糕意味着“步步高升”。在北方，年夜饭的传统饭是“饺子”或像月牙儿形的汤圆。
Setting Firecrackers
燃放鞭炮
Lighting Firecrackers used to be one of the most important customs in the Spring Festival celebration.
However, concerning the danger and the negative noises that lighting firecrackers may bring, the
government has banned this practice in many major cities. But people in small towns and rural areas still
hold to this traditional celebration. Right as the clock strikes 12 o'clock midnight of New Year's Eve, cities
and towns are lit up with the glitter from fireworks, and the sound can be deafening. Families stay up for
this joyful moment and kids with firecrackers in one hand and a lighter in another cheerfully light their
happiness in this especial occasion, even though they plug their ears.
放鞭炮曾是春节庆祝活动中最重要的习俗之一。然而，担心燃放鞭炮可能会带来危险和烦人的
噪音，政府已在许多大城市下令禁止燃放鞭炮。但在小城镇和农村地区的人们仍然坚持这种传统的
庆祝活动。除夕夜一旦时钟撞响午夜 12 点钟，城市和乡镇都被烟花的闪闪光芒映亮，鞭炮声震耳欲
聋。一家人熬夜就为这个欢乐的时刻，孩子们一手拿鞭炮，一手拿火机兴高采烈地点放着他们在这
个特殊节日的快乐，尽管他们吓得捂着耳朵。
New Year Greetings(Bai Nian)
春节的问候（拜年）
On the first day of the New Year or shortly thereafter, everybody wears new clothes and greets
relatives and friends with bows and Gongxi (congratulations), wishing each other good luck, happiness
during the new year. In Chinese villages, some villagers may have hundreds of relatives so they have to
spend more than two weeks visiting their relatives.
On the first day of the new year, it’s customary for the younger generations to visit the elders, wishing
them healthy and longevity.
在春节第一天或此后不久，大家都穿着新衣服，带着弓向亲戚和朋友打招呼并恭喜（祝贺），
彼此祝愿在新的一年里好运，幸福。在中国农村，有些村民可能有数以百计的亲戚，所以他们不得
不拿出两个多星期来走亲访友。
春节第一天，按习惯，小一辈人要拜见老一辈，祝愿他们健康长寿。
因为探亲访友花费大量时间，所以，现在有些忙碌的人就送春节贺卡来表达他们的良好祝愿，
而不是亲自去拜访。
Because visiting relatives and friends takes a lot of time, now, some busy people will send New Year
cards to express their good wishes rather than pay a visit personally.
压岁钱
Lucky Money
这是孩子们的父母和祖父母给他们作为春节礼物的钱。压岁钱据说能带来好运，能驱魔；因此，
就有了“压岁钱”的称呼。父母和祖父母先把钱放入特制的小红包里，年夜饭后或当孩子们来拜年时，
将红包发给他们。他们之所以要把钱放到红包里，是因为中国人认为红色是个幸运色。他们想给自
己孩子既有压岁钱还有幸运色。
It is the money given to kids from their parents and grandparents as New Year gift. The money is
believed to bring good luck, ward off monsters; hence the name "lucky money". Parents and grandparents
first put money in small, especially-made red envelopes and give the red envelopes to their kids after the
New Year's Feast or when they come to visit them on the New Year. They choose to put the money in red
envelopes because Chinese people think red is a lucky color. They want to give their children both lucky
money and lucky color.
年 30 到到十五的习俗
December 30 of the Lunar Calendar 大年三十——除夕
December 30 of lunar calendar, also called "Chuxi" (New Year's Eve), is the last day of the year according
to lunar calendar. It means saying goodbye to the last year and welcoming the new year. Chuxi is to
人的真正教育始于阅读，今天你阅读了吗？
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Chinese people what Christmas Eve is to Westerners. And it's also the climax of the whole Spring Festival.
There are many customs in every period of time on this special day and those customs have been well
observed for thousands of years.
大年三十，中国农历的最后一天，又称“除夕”——告别旧日，迎来新年。这一天对每一个中国人来
说意义非凡，如同平安夜在圣诞假期中的重要地位一般，整个春节的高潮也在这一天到达顶峰。这
一天中，每一个时间段都有约定俗成的讲究，几千年来，延续至今。
7:00-11:30 Preparing for the Reunion Dinner 团年饭准备
In the morning, every family begins killing chicken and fishes as well as cutting meat and vegetables to
prepare for the Reunion Dinner.
清晨开始，各家各户就忙着宰鸡、剖鱼、剁肉、切菜……为团年大餐做着最后的筹备工作。
11:30-11:50 Praying to Ancestors/Honoring Ancestors 拜敬祖先
Although different regions have different custom, many will pray to their ancestors before the dinner on this
day. All the family members hosed by their patriarch offer incense and kowtow to the memorial tablets or
the pictures of their ancestors, then they burn paper money and pray one by one. They also present the main
dishes of the Reunion Dinner including pork as offerings to their respect to the ancestors.
虽各地都有不同的习俗，但大多会在今日正式的宴席前拜敬祖先。全家人在家长的主持下，对祖先
的牌位、人像烧香叩拜，并逐一烧纸祈福。也会提前将宴席上的主菜如猪肉等作为贡品呈放，以示
对先辈的尊敬。
12:00-18:00 Enjoying the Reunion Dinner & Giving Lucky Money 团年饭开席、发压岁钱
The two wonderful meals at this day are called "Reunion Dinners", among which the New Year's Eve
Dinner is much more important.
除夕日的两顿大餐称为“团年饭”，其中尤以晚餐“年夜饭”为重头戏。
There are abundant dishes for the New Year's Eve Dinner. The dishes are of a wide variety and they all
imply the meaning of good luck. Fore example, "fish" shares a similar pronunciation with "Yu" which
stands for "abundance"; beetroot sounds like "Cai Tou" that means one can have good luck in the new year.
Besides, there are chicken, duck, fish, pork and beef in the dinner, which symbolize a rich new year. While
is Sichuan, every family has home-made sausage and cured meat as well as Chinese liquor.
年夜饭的餐桌上总是丰盛异常，菜色虽然五花八门，但宗旨都要有开福纳吉的好寓意。如“鱼”和“余”
谐音，象征“年年有余”;“菜头”与“菜头”谐音，象征来年有好彩头，鸡鸭鱼猪牛肉都备齐，则表明来
年丰裕。在四川地区，还少不了自家酿制的香肠、腊肉，当然，还有白酒。
During dinner time, Chinese people do not just eat and drink although the food and drinks are very
delicious. They also say some "best wishes" such as "I wish you good health and a long life", "may all go
well with you", etc. to the elders, and then hope to get lucky money from those happy elders. It is said that
the lucky money can drive out evil spirits because it shares the same pronunciation with "Sui" in Chinese
(meaning evil spirits), thus children who get lucky money will be safe in the new year. Surely, receiving
lucky money is the favorite "event" of every child during the Spring Festival.
热闹的年夜饭进行到中段，酒菜正酣，可别只顾着吃喝，晚辈们此时只须给长辈献上几句如“健康长
寿”、“万事如意”的吉祥话，就只等长辈乐呵呵发送压岁钱了。相传压岁钱可以压住邪祟，因为“岁”
与“祟”谐音，得到压岁钱的小辈就可以平平安安度过一岁。当然，这也是小辈们无可争议最喜欢的
过年“节目”。
20:00Watching Spring Festival Gala 看春节联欢晚会
Shown during the Chinese New Year's Eve, the Spring Festival Gala is a large variety show produced by
China Central Television. Although it has been criticized for many times because of its outdated contents
and forms, the Gala is still an important program for Chinese families to sit together, enjoy family love and
share happiness in the Spring Festival.
春节联欢晚会，是中国中央电视台在每年除夕晚上举办的大型文艺晚会。如今虽然饱受形式内容老
套的诟病，但依然是大年夜一大家子围坐在沙发上，感受亲情、分享喜乐的重要过年项目。
23:00-24:00Offering Incense and Praying 上香祈福
Near the midnight, the sound of the Gala has been already covered by the thunder of fireworks outside. At
the moment, all the family members go to toll New Year bells and offer incense at 24:00 in a nearby temple.
Every year, large temples in different regions hold grand Spring Ritual for Blessings on New Year's Eve.
People put their palms together devoutly and pray for a wonderful new year at the crowded temple. Such
activity will last to the end of the first day of the year.
临近午夜，电视机里的声音早已被窗外震耳的炮竹声盖过，人们便扶老携幼全家出动，到附近的寺
庙撞新年钟、上子时(零点)香。每年除夕夜，各地大型的寺庙都将举行盛大的新春祈福法会，在人头
窜动的寺庙中，人们虔诚地双手合十，祈愿来年的美好。这样的活动也将跨过零点，持续大年初一
整日。
January 1 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初一
Custom: New-Year Visits and Collecting Fortune 习俗：拜年聚财
Visiting relatives is still considered a major event on the first day of the first Lunar month. Also, it is the
birthday of "broom", so it is taboo to use broom or take out trash, otherwise, you might sweep away good
fortunes and suffer financial losses.
延续自大年夜，拜年依然是大年初一的重要活动。另外由于这天是“扫把星”的生日，正月初一要注
意不能动用扫帚，也不要丢垃圾，否则就会扫走运气、破财。
January 2 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初二
Custom: Married Daughters Return to Parents' Home 习俗：回娘家
Married daughters visit their parents with their husbands on this day, so this day is also called "welcome
son-in-law day". The couple must bring some gifts and red envelopes along with them, and give them to
children from the wife's side of the family. They have to return husband's family before dinner.
出嫁的女儿回娘家，要与丈夫同行，所以也称“迎婿日”。这一天，回娘家的女儿必须携带一些礼品
和红包，分给娘家的小孩，并且在娘家吃午饭，但要在晚饭前赶回婆家。
January 3 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初三
Custom: Staying at Home 习俗：忌出门
人的真正教育始于阅读，今天你阅读了吗？
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According to custom, people should not pay visits to others on the third day of the first lunar month as
it is very likely to quarrel with others on this day. However, this has already become obsolete. It is a rare
opportunity for people to get reunited during the Spring Festival, so less and less people follow this
tradition.
按照习俗，人们在初三通常不会外出拜年，传说这天容易与人发生争执。不过这个习俗早已过时，
现在人们难得春节团聚，对此已经淡化许多。
January 4 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初四
Custom: Worshiping the God of Wealth 习俗：祭财神
It is the day for worshipping the God of Wealth. In the past, if an employee was not invited to worship the
God of Wealth with the boss, he/she had to resign according to the unwritten rule.
今天是及财神的日子，过去，老板想将某人“炒鱿鱼”，这天就不请他来拜神，对方也就心知肚明，
自己收拾走人
January 5 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初五
Custom: Breaking Five 习俗：破五
It is the day to "drive away five ghosts of poverty" (Poverty in intelligence, knowledge, literacy, fate, and
friendship). People light firecrackers in the morning form inside to outside of their houses to scare away all
the "ghosts".
俗称破五，要“赶走五穷”，包括“智穷、学穷、文穷、命穷、交穷（结交“损友”）”。旧时人们在清晨
放鞭炮，边放边往门外走，传说如此便可将一切不吉利的东西都轰出门外。
January 6 of the Lunar Calendar 正月初六
Custom: Opening for Business 习俗：宜开业
After lighting firecrackers, shops reopen for business on this day. It is said that boys of the age of 12 are the
most welcomed as the number of "12" us double "6", which means "everything will go well smoothly".
商户可选择在这天开张营业，而且要大放鞭炮。另外传说这一天最受欢迎的是当年满 12 岁的男孩，
因为 12 是 6 的二倍，这叫“六六大顺”。
January 15 of the Lunar Calendar 正月十五
Custom: Dumplings and Lighting Sky Lanterns 习俗：吃元宵、放天灯
As the first full moon night in the new year, the fifteenth day is also called Lantern Festival, named after the
long-time tradition of appreciating lanterns. One should not miss Yuanxiao, glutinous rice dumplings, often
stuffed with white sugar, rose petals, sesames and so on. The stuffing and round shape symbolize sweet life
and reunion. Lantern Festival draws the curtain of the entire Chinese New Year celebration.
作为新年第一个月圆之夜，正月十五又称“上元节”，因历代这一节日有观灯习俗。故又称灯节。元
宵节必吃的美食即元宵——汤圆，以白糖、玫瑰、芝麻等为馅，用糯米粉包成圆形，有甜甜蜜蜜、
团圆美满之意。过完元宵节，春节正式落下帷幕。
新春祝福语
1. New Years greetings and best wishes! 致新年贺忱与最美好的祝福!
2. Good luck in the year ahead!恭贺新禧! Happy new year.新年快乐!
3. Happy spring festivel!春节快乐!
4. May you come into a good fortune!祝吉星高照! Live long and proper!恭喜发财!
5. May many fortunes find their way to you!多福多寿!
6. I want to wish you longevity and health!祝财运亨通!
7. May the seasons joy fill you all the year round.愿节日的愉快伴你一生。
8. Seasons greetings and best wishes for the New Year.祝福您，新年快乐。
9. Wishing you all the blessings of a beautiful New Year season. 愿你拥有新年所有美好的祝福。
10. Wishing you all the happiness of the holiday season. 祝节日幸福如意。
11. Hope all your New Year dreams come true! 愿你所有的新年想都成真!
12. Hope you enjoy the happiness of New Year and all the trimmings. 祝你享尽新年佳节的快乐和新年
的礼品。
13. Please accept my seasons greetings.请接受我节日的祝贺。
14. To wish you joy at this holy season. Wishing every happiness will always be with you.恭祝新年吉
祥，幸福和欢乐与你同在。
15. Good health, good luck and much happiness throughout the year.恭祝健康、幸运，新年快乐。
16. Wishing you many future successes.请多保重!
17. On this special day I send you New Years greetings and hope that some day soon we shall be togethe
r. 祝你今后获得更大成就。
18. I would like to wish you a joyous new year and express my hope for your happiness and good future.
在这特殊的日子，向你致以新年的祝福，希望不久我们能相聚在一起。
19. May the New Year bring many good things and rich blessings to you and all those you love!祝新年
快乐，并愿你幸福吉祥，前程似锦。
20. Rich blessings for health and longevity is my special wish for you in the coming year.愿新年带给你
和你所爱的人许多美好的事物和无尽的祝福!
21. Good luck, good health, hood cheer. I wish you a happy New Year.祝好运、健康、佳肴伴你度过一
个快乐新年。
人的真正教育始于阅读，今天你阅读了吗？
Stick to the end
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22. With best wishes for a happy New Year!祝新年快乐，并致以良好的祝福。
23. May you have the best New Year ever. 愿你度过最美好的新年!
24. Much joy to you in the up coming year. May the warmest wishes, happy thoughts and
25. friendly greetings come at New Year and stay with you all the year through. 让温馨的祝愿、幸福的
思念和友好的祝福，在新年来到你身边，伴你左右。
26. Please accept our wishes for you and yours for a happy New Year.请接受我们
27. 们对你及你全家的美好祝福，祝你们新年快乐。
28. May the coming New Year bring you joy, love and peace.愿新年为你带来快乐，
29. 友爱和宁静。
30. Wishing you happiness during the holidays and throughout the New Year.祝节日快乐，新年幸福。
31. I hope you have a most happy and prosperous New Year.谨祝新年快乐幸福，大吉大利。
32. With the compliments of the season.祝贺佳节。
33. May the joy and happiness around you today and always.愿快乐幸福永伴你左右。
34. Please accept my sincere wishes for the New Year. I hope you will continue to enjoy
good health.请接受我诚挚的新年祝福，顺祝身体健康。
35. Allow me to congratulate you on the arrival of the New Year and to extend to you all my best wishes
for your perfect health and lasting prosperity.恭贺新禧，祝身体健康、事业发达。
36. Best wishes for the holidays and happiness throughout the New Year.恭贺新 禧，万事如意。
37. New Year time is here. I hope you have a wonderful New Year. May every day hold
happy hours for you. 新年来临，祝新年快乐，愿你时时刻刻幸福欢乐!
38. May your New Year be filled with special moment, warmth, peace and happiness, the joy of covered o
nes near, and wishing you all the joys of Christmas and a year of happiness. 愿你的新年充满温馨，
祥和，与亲人团聚的快乐，祝乐陶陶，新年乐无限。
39. Warm greetings and best wishes for happiness and good luck in the coming year. 衷心祝福来年快
乐、幸运!
40. New Year should be a time of banked-up fines, the scent of flowers and wine, good talk, good memori
es and loyalties renewed. But if all else is lacking - love will do. 新年是这样美好的时光：炉火熊熊，
花儿芬芳，醇酒飘香，殷殷祝福，美好回忆，恩爱日新。即便没有一切，只要有爱便足矣。
41. May the beauty and joy of New Year remain with you throughout the new year! 愿新春美景与欢乐
常伴随你!
42. Take good care of yourself in the year ahead.愿你健康长寿! A happy New Year to you.恭贺新年。
43. Seasons greetings and sincere wishes for a bright and happy New Year!献上节日的问候与祝福,愿
你拥有一个充满生机和欢乐的新年。
44. I give you endless brand-new good wishes. Please accept them as a new remembrance
of our lasting friendship.给你我无尽的新的祝福，让它们成为我们永恒友谊的新的纪念。
45. Good luck and great success in the coming New Year.祝来年好运，并取得更大的成就。
46. Warm hearted wishes for a happy New Year filled with all your favorite things. 传统佳节之际，献
上殷殷祝福，祝新年万事如意!
47. I wish you a happy New Year. All affection and best wishes to you and yours. 以我所有的爱心与真
诚祝你及全家新年快乐。
48. In the season of joy I present my sincere wishes and kind thoughts. May the kind of
New Year outshine all the rest. 在这欢乐的时节给你我最真的祝福和亲切的思念，愿你今年的新年比往
年更璀璨。
49. May the New Year be a time of laughter and real enjoyment for you. Best wishes. 愿新年不仅是你
欢笑的时刻，更是你欣喜的日子。祝福你。
50. May the glow of New Year candle fill your heart with peace and pleasure and make
your New Year bright.
51. Have a love filled New Year! 愿新年的烛光带给你祥和与喜悦，祝你新年充满爱。
52. May the bright and festive glow of New Year candle warm the days all the year through
53. Hoping you will have a wonderful time enjoying New Year that is happy in every way. 愿明亮喜庆的
新年烛光温暖一年中的每个日日夜夜，祝你欢欢喜喜度新年!
54. On the occasion of the New Year, may my wife and I extend to you and yours our
warmest greetings, wishing you a happy New Year, your career greater success and your
family happiness.在此新年之际，我同夫人向你及你的家人致以节日的问候，并祝你们新年快乐、事
业有成、家庭幸福。
55. May everything beautiful and best be condensed into this card. I sincerely wish you
happiness, cheerfulness and success.愿一切最美好的祝福都能用这张贺卡表达，真诚地祝你幸福、快
乐、成功!
56. With very best wishes for your happiness in the New Year.致以最良好的祝福，原你新年快乐幸福。
57. A cheery New Year hold lots of happiness for you! 给你特别的祝愿新年带给你无边的幸福如意。
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58. A New Year greeting to cheer you from your daughters. 愿女儿的新年祝福带给你快乐。
59. At New Year and always, may peace and love fill your heart, beauty fill your world, and contentment
and joy fill your days. 新年的祝福，平日的希冀，愿你心境祥和、充满爱意，愿你的世界全是美
满，愿你一切称心如意，快乐无比。
60. May the joy of New Year be with you throughout the year. 愿新年的快乐一年四季常在。
61. Peace and love for you at New Year from all your students. 祝老师新年充满平安和爱。
62. Wishing you a sparkling New Year and bright happy New Year! May the season bring much pleasure
to you. 愿你的新年光彩夺目，愿你的新年灿烂辉煌!佳节快乐! 给父母
63. May you have the best season ever. 愿你过个最愉快的节日。
64. A New year greeting to cheer you from your daughter. 愿女儿的祝福带给您欢乐
65. Wish you every success 一帆风顺
66. Hope everything goes your way 万事如意
67. Happy new year 新年快乐
68. Happy spring festival 新年快乐
69. Best wishes for the year to come 恭贺新禧
70. May you come into a good fortune 恭喜发财
71. Business flourishes 生意兴隆
72. Peace All Year Round 岁岁平安
73. Harmony Brings Wealth 和气生财
74. Treasures Fill The Home 金玉满堂
75. May All Your Wishes Come 心想事成
76. Safe Trip Wherever You Go 出入平安
77. Promoting To A Higher Position 步步高升
西方文化节日篇——情人节
The dark origins of valentine’s day 情人节的黑暗传说
情人节，就是浪漫的吗？不然，它的起源可能是黑暗的、血腥的，还有点混乱。
Valentine’s day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. but the origins of this festival
of candy and cupids are actually dark, bloody — and a bit muddled.
现代情人节意味着浪漫、爱情和海誓山盟。然而，这个充满甜蜜和爱情的节日来历，却很黑暗、血
腥——还有点混乱。
Though no one has pinpointed 准确地找出或描述 the exact origin of the holiday, one good place to start is
ancient Rome, where men hit on women by, well, hitting them.
尽管没有节日起源的确切说法，最可能源自古罗马，那里的男人碰上女人，嗯，打上女人。
Those wild and crazy Romans 野蛮疯狂的罗马人
From Feb. 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia 牧神节,the men sacrificed a goat and a
dog, then whipped women with the hides 兽皮 of the animals they had just slain.
从 2 月 13 日到 15 日，罗马人举办路盆卡利亚狂欢节。男人们要宰杀一只山羊和一条狗，献作牺牲，
然后剥下兽皮鞭打女人。
The roman romantics “were drunk. they were naked,” says Noel lenski, a historian at the university of
Colorado at Boulder. young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. they
believed this would make them fertile.
罗马人的浪漫是“醉醺醺，赤裸裸”，历史学家诺尔.棱斯基说。他来自波尔德的科罗拉多大学。棱斯
基说，女人们排队让男人们打。他们认为这样做，女人更能生育。
The brutal fete 游园会 included a matchmaking lottery, in which young men drew the names of women
from a jar. the couple would then be, um, coupled up for the duration of the festival – or longer, if the match
was right.
残酷狂欢节日还有抽奖活动，年轻男子从罐子里抽取女人的名字。然后配对，嗯，至少在节日里配
对——如果对上眼，配对的时间要长一些。
情人节，就是浪漫的吗？不然，它的起源可能是黑暗的、血腥的，还有点混乱。
The ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern day of love Emperor Claudius II
executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century AD. their
martyrdom was honored by the Catholic church with the celebration of st. valentine’s day.
古罗马人还给现代“爱情”提供名字。公元 3 世纪，克劳迪斯二世皇帝在不同的年份，都是 2 月 14 日，
分别处死了叫瓦伦汀的人。天主教会为纪念他们的殉难，建立了圣瓦伦汀节。
Later, Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the 5th century by combining st. Valentine’s day with Lupercalia
to expel the pagan rituals. but the festival was more of a theatrical interpretation of what it had once been.
Lenski adds, “it was a little more of a drunken revel 陶醉, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That
didn’t stop it from being a day of fertility and love.”
不久后，到了 5 世纪，教皇格拉西斯一世本想驱除异教徒的活动，将圣瓦伦汀节和路盆卡利亚节合
并，实则添乱。这个节日比以前更加夸张。棱斯基说：“比醉醺醺的狂欢好一点，基督徒们穿上了衣
服。然而，关于生育和爱的节日，并没有改变。”
Around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin’s day. Galatin meant “lover of women.” That was
likely confused with St. Valentine’s day at some point, in part because they sound alike.
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差不多同时，诺曼人庆祝咖兰汀节。咖兰汀的意思是“女人的情人”。 因为发音有点象，在某种程度
上，可能与圣瓦伦汀节混淆了。
As the years went on, the holiday grew sweeter. Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized it in their work,
and it gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. Handmade paper cards became the
tokens-du-jour in the middle ages.
时光流逝，这节日变得甜蜜了。乔叟和莎士比亚在作品里，都进行了美化，这节日在英国和欧洲其
他地方流行开了。中世纪的时候，手工制作的卡片成了节日的象征
中国传统文化专题——元宵节 Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the New
calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great
significance.
This day's important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220),
Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains
from the cremation 火葬，火化 of Buddha's body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of
the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to
Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its
influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.
Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and
sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to
stroll with on the streets, extremely excited.
"Guessing lantern riddles"is an essential part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of
paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and
go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity
emerged during people's enjoyment of lanterns in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is
interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all social strata.
People will eat yuanxiao, or rice dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the "Yuanxiao
Festival."Yuanxiao also has another name, tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour
with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried fruit, sugar and edible oil as filling.
Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes sweet and delicious. What's more, tangyuan in Chinese
has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan”, meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote union,
harmony and happiness for the family.
In the daytime of the Festival, performances such as a dragon lantern dance, a lion dance, a land boat dance,
a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while dancing will be staged. On the night, except for
magnificent lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring
Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks
party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people become really intoxicated by the
imposing fireworks and bright moon in the sky.
每年农历的正月十五日，春节刚过，迎来的就是中国的传统节日--元宵节。
元宵主要的活动就是看灯。东汉明帝时期，明帝提倡佛教，听说佛教有正月十五日僧人观佛舍
利，点灯敬佛的做法，就命令这一天夜晚在皇宫和寺庙里点灯敬佛，令士族庶民都挂灯。以后这种
佛教礼仪节日逐渐形成民间盛大的节日。该节经历了由宫廷到民间，由中原到全国的发展过程。
直到今天，元宵点灯的习俗仍然在中国的各地流传的，各式各样美丽的花灯在这一天都会点亮，
孩子们提着自制的灯笼走街串巷，非常高兴。
猜灯谜也是元宵节的一项重要活动，花灯的主人会将谜面写在灯笼上，挂在门口，如果有人可
以猜中，就能得到小小的礼物。这项活动最早起源于宋朝，因为谜语能启迪智慧又饶有兴趣，所以
流传过程中深受社会各阶层的欢迎。
民间过元宵节吃元宵的习俗。元宵由糯米制成，或实心，或带馅。馅有豆沙、白糖、山楂、各
类果料等，食用时煮、煎、蒸、炸皆可。起初，人们把这种食物叫“浮圆子”，后来又叫“汤团”或“汤
圆”，这些名称“团圆”字音相近，取团圆之意，象征全家人团团圆圆，和睦幸福，人们也以此怀念离
别的亲人,寄托了对未来生活的美好愿望。
随着时间的推移，元宵节的活动越来越多，白天有耍龙灯、耍狮子、踩高跷、划旱船
扭秧歌、打太平鼓等传统民俗表演。到了夜晚，除了五颜六色的美花灯之外，还有艳丽多姿的烟火。
大多数家庭会在春节时留下一些烟花等到元宵节这天燃放，而一些地方政府也会举办烟花大会，当
新年的第一个月圆之夜在盛大的烟火表演中来临时，人们都陶醉在这令人难忘了烟花与皎洁的明月
中。
元宵节的来历：关于元宵节的各种传说（中英对照）
Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This is the first full moon of the new year,
symbolizing unity and perfectio 0
Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This is the first full moon of the new year,
symbolizing unity and perfection. Lantern Festival is an important part of Spring Festival , and marks the
official end of the long holiday。
元宵节是农历正月的第十五天，这是新年的第一次满月，象征着和睦和团圆。元宵节是春节的一个
重要组成部分，也象征着春节长假的正式结束。
There are many legends concerning the origins of Lantern Festival。
关于元宵节的来历有很多传说。
According to one legend, once in ancient times, a celestial swan came into the mortal world where it was
shot down by a hunter. The Jade Emperor, the highest god in Heaven, vowed to avenge the swan. He started
making plans to send a troop of celestial soldiers and generals to Earth on the fifteenth day of the first lunar
month, with orders to incinerate all humans and animals. But the other celestial beings disagreed with this
course of action, and risked their lives to warn the people of Earth. As a result, before and after the fifteenth
day of the first month, every family hung red lanterns outside their doors and set off firecrackers and
fireworks, giving the impression that their homes were already burning. By successfully tricking the Jade
Emperor in this way, humanity was saved from extermination。
有一个传说是这样的，在古代，有一位神界天鹅闯入人间被猎手误杀。天界最高的神玉皇大帝因此
发誓为这只天鹅报仇。他开始制定计划，派出一支天兵天将于农历正月十五来到人间，命令他们火
烧所有的人和动物。但是其他神仙并不赞同这一计划，他们冒着生命危险提醒人间的人们。结果，
在正月十五这一天前后，每一个家庭在门外挂起灯笼，并燃放烟花爆竹，给天兵天将造成各家各户
起火的假象。通过这种方式，人们成功骗过了玉皇大帝，人类也因此逃过灭绝的危险。
According to another legend, during the time of Emperor Han Wudi of the Han Dynasty , a palace woman
named Yuanxiao was prevented from carrying out her filial duty of visiting her parents on the fifteenth day
of the first lunar month. Distraught, she said she would kill herself by jumping into a well. In order to help
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Yuanxiao fulfill her duty as a filial daughter, the scholar Dongfang Shuo came up with a scheme. He told
Emperor Han Wudi that the Jade Emperor, the highest god in Heaven, had ordered the Fire God to burn
down the capital city of Chang'an on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Anxious to find a way to
save his city, the emperor asked Dongfang Shuo what he should do. Dongfang Shuo replied that the Fire
God loved red lanterns more than anything. He advised that the streets be hung with red lanterns, and the
emperor, empress, concubines, and court officials come out of the palace to see them. In this way, the Fire
God would be distracted and disaster averted. The emperor followed Dongfang Shuo's advice, and while
everyone was out viewing the lanterns, Yuanxiao was able to sneak out of the palace and be reunited with
her parents。
另外一个传说发生在汉武帝时期。一位名叫元宵的宫女因身处深宫，没法在正月十五与父母团聚尽
孝。为此，她欲跳井自尽。为了帮助元宵姑娘为父母尽孝，智者东方朔想出了一个计划。他告诉汉
武帝，天界最高的神——玉皇大帝下令在正月十六火烧长安都。为了拯救长安城，汉武帝问东方朔
该怎么办。东方朔回答说火神最爱大红灯笼。他建议在街道上悬挂大红灯笼，皇帝、皇后、六宫嫔
妃和朝廷大臣都要外出观赏灯笼。这样，火神的注意力就会被分散，灾难也就可以避免了。皇帝采
纳了东方朔的建议，当所有人都外出赏灯时，元宵得以有机会溜出皇宫，和家人团圆。
Although the above stories are quite fantastical, it is sure that the origins of Lantern Festival are related to
ancient humanity's use of fire to celebrate festivals and avert disaster. Since Lantern Festival involves
making offerings to the deities and is celebrated at night, it is natural that fire would play an important role.
Over time, Lantern Festival gradually evolved into its present form. When Buddhism was introduced to
China during the Eastern Han Dynasty , the emperor decreed that on the night of the full moon of the first
lunar month, lanterns should be lit to honor Buddha, adding yet another level of significance to Lantern
Festival. And according to Daoism, Lantern Festival is associated with the primordial deities of Heaven and
Fire, who were born on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month。
虽然上述的传说很神奇，但可以确定的是元宵节的起源必定跟古代人们使用火来庆祝节日、躲避灾
难有关。元宵节活动包括逃避邪神，且是在晚上庆祝，所以很自然地，火就扮演了很重要的角色。
随着时间的流逝，元宵节逐渐演变为今天的形式。东汉时期，佛教传入中国，皇帝下令，在正月第
一个满月的晚上，必须点亮灯笼敬佛，这也使元宵节更增添了一份意义。而在道教里，元宵节是与
掌管天界和火的元神紧密相连的，因为他们就诞生在正月十五。
Eating yuanxiao (sweet dumplings made with glutinous rice flour) is one of the special traditions of Lantern
Festival. Lantern Festival is also called Yuanxiao Festival. Another name for yuanxiao is tangyuan, which
literally means "boiled spheres."
吃元宵(由糯米粉制成的甜馅儿食物)是元宵节一个特别传统，而元宵节也因这种食物得名。元宵的另
一种叫法是汤圆，字面意思就是“煮熟的圆球状食品”。
关于元宵节来历的三个传说: 用英语介绍元宵节的来历 双语中英对照
kira86 于 2012-02-06 发布 l 已有 5902 人浏览
教你零基础学英语 外教任意选，每天陪你练口语 公交车上也能听英语 英语口语 8000 句 Lantern
Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This is the first full moon of the new year,
symbolizing unity and perfection. Lantern Festival is an important part of Spring Festival , and marks the
official end of the long holiday.元宵节是农历正月的第十五天，这是新年的第一次满月，象征着和睦和
团圆。元宵节是春节的一个重要组成部分，也象征着春节长假的正式结束。There are many legends
concerning the origins of Lantern Festival.关于元宵节的来历有很多传说。According to one legend, once
in ancient times, a celestial swan came into the mortal world where it was shot down by a hunter. T 0
Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This is the first full moon of the new year,
symbolizing unity and perfection. Lantern Festival is an important part of Spring Festival , and marks the
official end of the long holiday.
元宵节是农历正月的第十五天，这是新年的第一次满月，象征着和睦和团圆。元宵节是春节的一个
重要组成部分，也象征着春节长假的正式结束。
There are many legends concerning the origins of Lantern Festival.
关于元宵节的来历有很多传说。
According to one legend, once in ancient times, a celestial swan came into the mortal world where it was
shot down by a hunter. The Jade Emperor, the highest god in Heaven, vowed to avenge the swan. He started
making plans to send a troop of celestial soldiers and generals to Earth on the fifteenth day of the first
lunar month, with orders to incinerate all humans and animals. But the other celestial beings disagreed with
this course of action, and risked their lives to warn the people of Earth. As a result, before and after the
fifteenth day of the first month, every family hung red lanterns outside their doors and set off firecrackers
and fireworks, giving the impression that their homes were already burning. By successfully tricking the
Jade Emperor in this way, humanity was saved from extermination.
有一个传说是这样的，在古代，有一位神界天鹅闯入人间被猎手误杀。天界最高的神玉皇大帝因此
发誓为这只天鹅报仇。他开始制定计划，派出一支天兵天将于农历正月十五来到人间，命令他们火
烧所有的人和动物。但是其他神仙并不赞同这一计划，他们冒着生命危险提醒人间的人们。结果，
在正月十五这一天前后，每一个家庭在门外挂起灯笼，并燃放烟花爆竹，给天兵天将造成各家各户
起火的假象。通过这种方式，人们成功骗过了玉皇大帝，人类也因此逃过灭绝的危险。
According to another legend, during the time of Emperor Han Wudi of the Han Dynasty , a palace woman
named Yuanxiao was prevented from carrying out her filial duty of visiting her parents on the fifteenth day
of the first lunar month. Distraught, she said she would kill herself by jumping into a well. In order to help
Yuanxiao fulfill her duty as a filial daughter, the scholar Dongfang Shuo came up with a scheme. He told
Emperor Han Wudi that the Jade Emperor, the highest god in Heaven, had ordered the Fire God to burn
down the capital city of Chang'an on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Anxious to find a way to
save his city, the emperor asked Dongfang Shuo what he should do. Dongfang Shuo replied that the Fire
God loved red lanterns more than anything. He advised that the streets be hung with red lanterns, and the
emperor, empress, concubines, and court officials come out of the palace to see them. In this way, the Fire
God would be distracted and disaster averted. The emperor followed Dongfang Shuo's advice, and while
everyone was out viewing the lanterns, Yuanxiao was able to sneak out of the palace and be reunited with
her parents.
另外一个传说发生在汉武帝时期。一位名叫元宵的宫女因身处深宫，没法在正月十五与父母团聚尽
孝。为此，她欲跳井自尽。为了帮助元宵姑娘为父母尽孝，智者东方朔想出了一个计划。他告诉汉
武帝，天界最高的神——玉皇大帝下令在正月十六火烧长安都。为了拯救长安城，汉武帝问东方朔
该怎么办。东方朔回答说火神最爱大红灯笼。他建议在街道上悬挂大红灯笼，皇帝、皇后、六宫嫔
妃和朝廷大臣都要外出观赏灯笼。这样，火神的注意力就会被分散，灾难也就可以避免了。皇帝采
纳了东方朔的建议，当所有人都外出赏灯时，元宵得以有机会溜出皇宫，和家人团圆。
Although the above stories are quite fantastical, it is sure that the origins of Lantern Festival are related to
ancient humanity's use of fire to celebrate festivals and avert disaster. Since Lantern Festival involves
making offerings to the deities and is celebrated at night, it is natural that fire would play an important role.
Over time, Lantern Festival gradually evolved into its present form. When Buddhism was introduced to
China during the Eastern Han Dynasty , the emperor decreed that on the night of the full moon of the first
人的真正教育始于阅读，今天你阅读了吗？
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lunar month, lanterns should be lit to honor Buddha, adding yet another level of significance to Lantern
Festival. And according to Daoism, Lantern Festival is associated with the primordial deities of Heaven and
Fire, who were born on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
虽然上述的传说很神奇，但可以确定的是元宵节的起源必定跟古代人们使用火来庆祝节日、躲避灾
难有关。元宵节活动包括逃避邪神，且是在晚上庆祝，所以很自然地，火就扮演了很重要的角色。
随着时间的流逝，元宵节逐渐演变为今天的形式。东汉时期，佛教传入中国，皇帝下令，在正月第
一个满月的晚上，必须点亮灯笼敬佛，这也使元宵节更增添了一份意义。而在道教里，元宵节是与
掌管天界和火的元神紧密相连的，因为他们就诞生在正月十五。
Eating yuanxiao (sweet dumplings made with glutinous rice flour) is one of the special traditions of Lantern
Festival. Lantern Festival is also called Yuanxiao Festival. Another name for yuanxiao is tangyuan, which
literally means "boiled spheres."
吃元宵（有糯米粉制成的甜馅儿食物）是元宵节一个特别传统，而元宵节也因这种食物得名。元宵
的另一种叫法是汤圆，字面意思就是“煮熟的圆球状食品”。
中国节日中英对照
1.New Year's Day 元旦(1 月 1 日)
2.Spring Festival；Chinese New Year's Day 春节(农历一月一日)
3.Lantern Festival 元宵节(农历一月十五日)
4.International Working Women's Day 国际劳动妇女节(3 月 8 日)
5.Arbor Day;Tree Planting Day 植树节(3 月 12 日)
6.Postal Day 邮政节(3 月 20 日)
7.World Meteorology Day 世界气象节(3 月 23 日)
8.Ching Ming Festival ;Tomb-sweeping Festival 清明节(4 月 5 日)
9.International Labour Day 国际劳动节(5 月 1 日)
10.Chinese Youth Day 中国青年节(5 月 4 日)
11.Nurses' Festival 护士节(5 月 12 日)
12.Dragon Boat Festival 端午节(农历五月初五)
13.International Children's Day 国际儿童节(6 月 1 日)
14.The Party's Brithday 中国共产党成立纪念日(7 月 1 日)
15.The Army's Day 建军节(8 月 1 日)
16.Mid-Autumn (Moon)Festival 中秋节(农历八月十五)
17.Teacher's Day 教师节(9 月 10 日)
18.Double-ninth Day 重阳节(农历九月九日)
19.National Day 国庆节(10 月 1 日)
20.New Year's Eve 除夕(农历十二月三十日)
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