春节有什么风俗 传统英文 春节的传统风俗及其意义英文

济南的春节风俗是什么?济南的春节传统活动,最美、最有特色的风俗和省城春节期间除了有民俗风情旅游节、趵突泉迎春灯会和明湖庙会等传统“好戏”外,还将开展民俗文化游、冰雪游、科普游等活动,并进一步整合泉水旅游线路,开展观泉赏泉游和泉城古街游,引导各景区开展民俗文化、休闲生态、登山健身等户外旅游活动等,但这主要的服务对象是游客 。
澳大利亚的风俗和传统有哪些?个人空间——澳大利亚喜欢人与人之间保持得体的个人空间距离 。如在没有必要的情况下,距离某人不足一米的话,会让其感到不舒服 。
着装——澳大利亚人的着装风格往往非常随意和休闲 。如果是需要身着正装的场合,一般都会有人向您告知 。
排队——人们按次序等候时都会排队,如等待出租车和巴士、买票,或购物付款时 。
英文版春节介绍(带汉意)春节,传统名称为新年、大年、新岁,但口头上又称度岁、庆新岁、过年 。古时春节曾专指节气中的立春,也被视为一年的开始,后来改为农历正月初一开始为新年 。
The Spring Festival, traditional name for the New Year, annual, sexually compromising, but also called on age, igawa sexually compromising, degree of spring. In the Spring Festival was originally throttle was also considered as one year later, the start to the first day of the lunar year started for the New Year.英语New Year celebrations is a grand event of China. New Year festivitieslasts for one month in China. Chinese New Year is also called Springfestival. It begins from the middle of the last month of the year andends up in the first month of the new year. These last day celebrationsin China is called Lantern Festival 。
History of Chinese New Year
追溯历史:名叫“年”的怪兽
ChineseNew Year has a very interesting and unique history. According to theChinese legends, there was a giant beast Nian who used to swallowhumans in a single bite. Relief from the horrifying beast came onlywhen people realized that Nian was scared of red color and loud noises.They started bursting crackersand used red color to scare the beast. Since then, this day was namedas GuNian meaning "Pass over the Nian". Chinese considered the day an auspicious one as it brought new life for them and celebrated it as a New Year 。
Chinese New Year Dates
农历新年,年年不同
Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year. Chinese calendar is a combination of solar and lunar calendar. Chinese New Year falls on second new moon after the winter solstice(冬至). Chinese calendar has a 12 year cycle and each year is named afteranimal. Chinese believe that every person resembles an animal and thisreflects their traits. Year 2006 was the Year of the Dog. People born on this date are said to be very loyal and trustworthy 。
Chinese New Year Celebrations
新年找乐,日日不同
Lot of excitement can be seen in the last 15 days of New Year celebrations. Every day has a special importance to it. Chinese ritualize and celebrate each day in a customary manner. Given below are the line wise celebrations of the New Year in China:
年初一:祭拜天地
Day1: People began their day by offering prayers and welcome the gods ofheaven and earth. Most of the people stay away from meat to ensurehealthy living 。
年初二:狗狗过生日
Day 2:Successively, prayers are offer to their ancestors and other gods.Chinese are strict care-taker of dogs and feed them well. This is dayis considered to be the birthday of all dogs 。
初三初四:走亲访友,媳妇回娘家
Day3 and 4: These are very important days for the families to keep uptheir relations. It calls for every son-in-law to pay respect to theirparents-in-law 。
年初五:“破五”祭财神
Day5: According to the traditions, nobody visits friends and relativeshouses as it would bring bad omen. They stay back home to worship theGod of wealth. The day is called Po Woo 。
年初六:百无禁忌,出门活动筋骨
Day6: On this day, people freely meet their near and dear ones and evenvisit nearby temples to pray for their well being and high spirits 。
年初七:吃面条,祝长寿
Day 7: This is Chinese farmers' day. They display their backbreaking
produce. They also prepare a drink from seven different types ofvegetables. On this day, everybody eats noodles which is a symbol oflong life and fish representing success 。
年初八:凌晨拜天公
Day8: It's an other day to be celebrated with the family and friends. Theyalso offer midnight prayers to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven 。
年初九:玉皇大帝登场
Day 9: Prayers are offered to Jade Emperor 。
初十、十一、十二、十三:大吃大喝,最后记得回归清淡
Days 10 to 13: From 10 to 12, people celebrate the days by having sumptuous dinner with the loved ones and the 13th day is left for a very light dinner to cleanse the system 。
年十四:准备闹元宵
Day 14: People start preparing for the celebration of Lantern Festival to be held on next day 。
年十五:吃元宵看灯火
Day 15: Since it is the first night to see full moon, people hang out colorful lanterns, eat glutinous rice balls and enjoy the day with their families 。According to the briefing, according to legend there is a Chinese ancient times called the "years" of the monster, the first long tentacles, unusually ferocious. "Year" for many years hiding the sea, only to climb up every New Year's Eve shore, devouring livestock harm human life. Therefore, every New Year's Eve that day, the village young people Walled villages fled to the mountains, to escape the "year" animal damage.
据介绍,相传中国古时候有一种叫“年”的怪兽,头长触角,凶猛异常 。“年”长年深居海底,每到除夕才爬上岸,吞食牲畜伤害人命 。因此,每到除夕这天,村村寨寨的人们扶老携幼逃往深山,以躲避“年”兽的伤害 。
This Year's Eve, Peach Blossom Village, young people are the mountain refuge, from a village outside begging the elderly, saw hiscrutches, arm ride capsule bag, silver to be graceful, head if Lang stars. Some villagers sealed windows locked, and some to pack up and get some Thunbergia sheep, everywhere people shouting, scene of a panic rush. At this time, who determined to take care of the elderly people begging. Village head only an old lady to the elderly more food, and urged him to speed up the mountain to escape the "Year" beast, the old man smiled stroking beard: mother-in-law if I stay at home one night, I have the "year" removed the animal. Head scared the old lady look at, to see him mental healthy, bearing out of the ordinary. She is still continuing to persuade, begging people laugh instead of the phrase. Mother-in-law no option but to leave home and go up the mountain refuge.
这年除夕,桃花村的人们正扶老携幼上山避难,从村外来了个乞讨的老人,只见他手拄拐杖,臂搭袋囊,银须飘逸,目若朗星 。乡亲们有的封窗锁门,有的收拾行装,有的牵牛赶羊,到处人喊马嘶,一片匆忙恐慌景象 。这时,谁还有心关照这位乞讨的老人 。只有村东头一位老婆婆给了老人些食物,并劝他快上山躲避“年” 兽,那老人捋髯笑道:婆婆若让我在家呆一夜,我一定把“年”兽撵走 。老婆婆惊目细看,见他鹤发童颜、精神矍铄,气宇不凡 。可她仍然继续劝说,乞讨老人笑而不语 。婆婆无奈,只好撇下家,上山避难去了 。
The middle of the night, "years" to break into the village of animals. It found that the village atmosphere, unlike in previous years: the first lady Village home, the door paste big red, brightly lit candles inside the house. "Year" all animalsa bang. "Year" towards mother-in-law home glower moment, then head over the pastforward. Almost at the entrance to the hospital from a sudden "bang flap" sound of bombing, "year" every tremble, and then move forward together a dare. In fact, "year" fear red flames and炸响. At this time, opening the door to let mother-in-law's house, wearing only a hospital Dahongpao elderly laughter. "Year" scaring the daylights out, embarrassed fled the spurt.
半夜时分,“年”兽闯进村 。它发现村里气氛与往年不同:村东头老婆婆家,门贴大红纸,屋内烛火通明 。“年”兽浑身一抖,怪叫了一声 。“年”朝婆婆家怒视片刻,随即狂叫着扑过去 。将近门口时,院内突然传来“砰砰啪啪”的炸响声,“年”浑身战栗,再不敢往前凑了 。原来,“年”最怕红色、火光和炸响 。这时,婆婆的家门大开,只见院内一位身披红袍的老人在哈哈大笑 。“年”大惊失色,狼狈逃蹿了 。
The next day is the first day, people who sought refuge back safe and sound very surprised to see the village. At this time, the old lady came before, and hastened to the villagers described the promise of the elderly begging. Together villagers over to the old lady, and mother-in-law saw the door close to the red paper, yard pile of bamboo is still unburned "flap"炸响inside several red candles also issued a Yu ... ... joyvillagers to celebrate the auspicious arrival of their new clothes to wear for a new hat, say hello to friends and relatives at home Daoxi. This matter quickly spread around the village, people are aware of the expulsion of "years" beast approach.
第二天是正月初一,避难回来的人们见村里安然无恙十分惊奇 。这时,老婆婆才恍然大悟,赶忙向乡亲们述说了乞讨老人的许诺 。乡亲们一齐拥向老婆婆家,只见婆婆家门上贴着红纸,院里一堆未燃尽的竹子仍在“啪啪”炸响,屋内几根红腊烛还发着余光……欣喜若狂的乡亲们为庆贺吉祥的来临,纷纷换新衣戴新帽,到亲友家道喜问好 。这件事很快在周围村里传开了,人们都知道了驱赶“年”兽的办法 。
Since then the annual New Year's Eve, families paste red couplets, set off firecrackers; household candles Tongming, Shou-more-year-old question. Early in the morning early to go pro-string Daoxi Friends say hello. This custom of the more mass the more widely and became the most solemn of Chinese folk traditional festivals.
从此每年除夕,家家贴红对联、燃放爆竹;户户烛火通明、守更待岁 。初一一大早,还要走亲串友道喜问好 。这风俗越传越广,成了中国民间最隆重的传统节日The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. Like all Chinese festivals, the date of the new year is determined by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar, so the date of the holiday varies from late January to mid February. The Spring festival celebrates the earth coming back to life, and the start of ploughing and sowing. In the past, feudal rulers of dynasties placed great importance on this occasion, and ceremonies to usher in the season were performed. 在中国最古老最重要的节日就是春节了,在西方被成为中国新年 。跟其他的中国传统节日一样,春节也是源于中国传统的农历也就是太阳历,而不是西方的阳历,因此这个节日的日期会在一月底和2月初浮动变化 。春节庆祝的是土地的生命复苏,和一年耕作的开始 。在过去一些朝代,封建统治者非常重视这这个场合,欢迎春天这个季节的仪式将会上演 。The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened.
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job's tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko.
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.
After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called "Seeing the New Year in".
【春节有什么风俗 传统英文 春节的传统风俗及其意义英文】Store owners are busy then as everybody goes out to purchase necessities for the New Year. Materials not only include edible oil, rice, flour, chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also fruit, candies and kinds of nuts. What's more, various decorations, new clothes and shoes for the children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends and relatives, are all on the list of purchasing.
Before the New Year comes, the people completely clean the indoors and outdoors of their homes as well as their clothes, bedclothes and all their utensils.
Then people begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity. All the door panels will be pastedwith Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners' wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, pictures of the god of doors and wealth will be posted on front doors to ward off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.
The Chinese character "fu" (meaning blessing or happiness) is a must. The character put on paper can be pasted normally or upside down, for in Chinese the "reversed fu" is homophonic with "fu comes", both being pronounced as "fudaole." What's more, two big red lanterns can be raised on both sides of the front door. Red paper-cuttings can be seen on window glass and brightly colored New Year paintings with auspicious meanings may be put on the wall.
People attach great importance to Spring Festival Eve. At that time, all family members eat dinner together. The meal is more luxurious than usual. Dishes such as chicken, fish and bean curd cannot be excluded, for in Chinese, their pronunciations, respectively "ji", "yu" and "doufu," mean auspiciousness, abundance and richness. After the dinner, the whole family will sit together, chatting and watching TV. In recent years, the Spring Festival party broadcast on China Central Television Station (CCTV) is essential entertainment for the Chinese both at home and abroad. According to custom, each family will stay up to see the New Year in.
Waking up on New Year, everybody dresses up. First they extend greetings to their parents. Then each child will get money as a New Year gift, wrapped up in red paper. People in northern China will eat jiaozi, or dumplings, for breakfast, as they think "jiaozi" in sound means "bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new". Also, the shape of the dumpling is like gold ingot from ancient China. So people eat them and wish for money and treasure.
Southern Chinese eat niangao (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this occasion, because as a homophone, niangao means "higher and higher, one year after another." The first five days after the Spring Festival are a good time for relatives, friends, and classmates as well as colleagues to exchange greetings, gifts and chat leisurely.
Burning fireworks was once the most typical custom on the Spring Festival. People thought the spluttering sound could help drive away evil spirits. However, such an activity was completely or partially forbidden in big cities once the government took security, noise and pollution factors into consideration. As a replacement, some buy tapes with firecracker sounds to listen to, some break little balloons to get the sound too, while others buy firecracker handicrafts to hang in the living room.
The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but permeates to streets and lanes. A series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held for days. The Spring Festival then comes to an end when the Lantern Festival is finished.
China has 56 ethnic groups. Minorities celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people, and they have different customs.
英文版春节介绍(带汉意)春节,传统名称为新年、大年、新岁,但口头上又称度岁、庆新岁、过年 。古时春节曾专指节气中的立春,也被视为一年的开始,后来改为农历正月初一开始为新年 。
The Spring Festival, traditional name for the New Year, annual, sexually compromising, but also called on age, igawa sexually compromising, degree of spring. In the Spring Festival was originally throttle was also considered as one year later, the start to the first day of the lunar year started for the New Year.英语New Year celebrations is a grand event of China. New Year festivitieslasts for one month in China. Chinese New Year is also called Springfestival. It begins from the middle of the last month of the year andends up in the first month of the new year. These last day celebrationsin China is called Lantern Festival 。
History of Chinese New Year
追溯历史:名叫“年”的怪兽
ChineseNew Year has a very interesting and unique history. According to theChinese legends, there was a giant beast Nian who used to swallowhumans in a single bite. Relief from the horrifying beast came onlywhen people realized that Nian was scared of red color and loud noises.They started bursting crackersand used red color to scare the beast. Since then, this day was namedas GuNian meaning "Pass over the Nian". Chinese considered the day an auspicious one as it brought new life for them and celebrated it as a New Year 。
Chinese New Year Dates
农历新年,年年不同
Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year. Chinese calendar is a combination of solar and lunar calendar. Chinese New Year falls on second new moon after the winter solstice(冬至). Chinese calendar has a 12 year cycle and each year is named afteranimal. Chinese believe that every person resembles an animal and thisreflects their traits. Year 2006 was the Year of the Dog. People born on this date are said to be very loyal and trustworthy 。
Chinese New Year Celebrations
新年找乐,日日不同
Lot of excitement can be seen in the last 15 days of New Year celebrations. Every day has a special importance to it. Chinese ritualize and celebrate each day in a customary manner. Given below are the line wise celebrations of the New Year in China:
年初一:祭拜天地
Day1: People began their day by offering prayers and welcome the gods ofheaven and earth. Most of the people stay away from meat to ensurehealthy living 。
年初二:狗狗过生日
Day 2:Successively, prayers are offer to their ancestors and other gods.Chinese are strict care-taker of dogs and feed them well. This is dayis considered to be the birthday of all dogs 。
初三初四:走亲访友,媳妇回娘家
Day3 and 4: These are very important days for the families to keep uptheir relations. It calls for every son-in-law to pay respect to theirparents-in-law 。
年初五:“破五”祭财神
Day5: According to the traditions, nobody visits friends and relativeshouses as it would bring bad omen. They stay back home to worship theGod of wealth. The day is called Po Woo 。
年初六:百无禁忌,出门活动筋骨
Day6: On this day, people freely meet their near and dear ones and evenvisit nearby temples to pray for their well being and high spirits 。
年初七:吃面条,祝长寿
Day 7: This is Chinese farmers' day. They display their backbreaking
produce. They also prepare a drink from seven different types ofvegetables. On this day, everybody eats noodles which is a symbol oflong life and fish representing success 。
年初八:凌晨拜天公
Day8: It's an other day to be celebrated with the family and friends. Theyalso offer midnight prayers to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven 。
年初九:玉皇大帝登场
Day 9: Prayers are offered to Jade Emperor 。
初十、十一、十二、十三:大吃大喝,最后记得回归清淡
Days 10 to 13: From 10 to 12, people celebrate the days by having sumptuous dinner with the loved ones and the 13th day is left for a very light dinner to cleanse the system 。
年十四:准备闹元宵
Day 14: People start preparing for the celebration of Lantern Festival to be held on next day 。
年十五:吃元宵看灯火
Day 15: Since it is the first night to see full moon, people hang out colorful lanterns, eat glutinous rice balls and enjoy the day with their families 。According to the briefing, according to legend there is a Chinese ancient times called the "years" of the monster, the first long tentacles, unusually ferocious. "Year" for many years hiding the sea, only to climb up every New Year's Eve shore, devouring livestock harm human life. Therefore, every New Year's Eve that day, the village young people Walled villages fled to the mountains, to escape the "year" animal damage.
据介绍,相传中国古时候有一种叫“年”的怪兽,头长触角,凶猛异常 。“年”长年深居海底,每到除夕才爬上岸,吞食牲畜伤害人命 。因此,每到除夕这天,村村寨寨的人们扶老携幼逃往深山,以躲避“年”兽的伤害 。
This Year's Eve, Peach Blossom Village, young people are the mountain refuge, from a village outside begging the elderly, saw hiscrutches, arm ride capsule bag, silver to be graceful, head if Lang stars. Some villagers sealed windows locked, and some to pack up and get some Thunbergia sheep, everywhere people shouting, scene of a panic rush. At this time, who determined to take care of the elderly people begging. Village head only an old lady to the elderly more food, and urged him to speed up the mountain to escape the "Year" beast, the old man smiled stroking beard: mother-in-law if I stay at home one night, I have the "year" removed the animal. Head scared the old lady look at, to see him mental healthy, bearing out of the ordinary. She is still continuing to persuade, begging people laugh instead of the phrase. Mother-in-law no option but to leave home and go up the mountain refuge.
这年除夕,桃花村的人们正扶老携幼上山避难,从村外来了个乞讨的老人,只见他手拄拐杖,臂搭袋囊,银须飘逸,目若朗星 。乡亲们有的封窗锁门,有的收拾行装,有的牵牛赶羊,到处人喊马嘶,一片匆忙恐慌景象 。这时,谁还有心关照这位乞讨的老人 。只有村东头一位老婆婆给了老人些食物,并劝他快上山躲避“年” 兽,那老人捋髯笑道:婆婆若让我在家呆一夜,我一定把“年”兽撵走 。老婆婆惊目细看,见他鹤发童颜、精神矍铄,气宇不凡 。可她仍然继续劝说,乞讨老人笑而不语 。婆婆无奈,只好撇下家,上山避难去了 。
The middle of the night, "years" to break into the village of animals. It found that the village atmosphere, unlike in previous years: the first lady Village home, the door paste big red, brightly lit candles inside the house. "Year" all animalsa bang. "Year" towards mother-in-law home glower moment, then head over the pastforward. Almost at the entrance to the hospital from a sudden "bang flap" sound of bombing, "year" every tremble, and then move forward together a dare. In fact, "year" fear red flames and炸响. At this time, opening the door to let mother-in-law's house, wearing only a hospital Dahongpao elderly laughter. "Year" scaring the daylights out, embarrassed fled the spurt.
半夜时分,“年”兽闯进村 。它发现村里气氛与往年不同:村东头老婆婆家,门贴大红纸,屋内烛火通明 。“年”兽浑身一抖,怪叫了一声 。“年”朝婆婆家怒视片刻,随即狂叫着扑过去 。将近门口时,院内突然传来“砰砰啪啪”的炸响声,“年”浑身战栗,再不敢往前凑了 。原来,“年”最怕红色、火光和炸响 。这时,婆婆的家门大开,只见院内一位身披红袍的老人在哈哈大笑 。“年”大惊失色,狼狈逃蹿了 。
The next day is the first day, people who sought refuge back safe and sound very surprised to see the village. At this time, the old lady came before, and hastened to the villagers described the promise of the elderly begging. Together villagers over to the old lady, and mother-in-law saw the door close to the red paper, yard pile of bamboo is still unburned "flap"炸响inside several red candles also issued a Yu ... ... joyvillagers to celebrate the auspicious arrival of their new clothes to wear for a new hat, say hello to friends and relatives at home Daoxi. This matter quickly spread around the village, people are aware of the expulsion of "years" beast approach.
第二天是正月初一,避难回来的人们见村里安然无恙十分惊奇 。这时,老婆婆才恍然大悟,赶忙向乡亲们述说了乞讨老人的许诺 。乡亲们一齐拥向老婆婆家,只见婆婆家门上贴着红纸,院里一堆未燃尽的竹子仍在“啪啪”炸响,屋内几根红腊烛还发着余光……欣喜若狂的乡亲们为庆贺吉祥的来临,纷纷换新衣戴新帽,到亲友家道喜问好 。这件事很快在周围村里传开了,人们都知道了驱赶“年”兽的办法 。
Since then the annual New Year's Eve, families paste red couplets, set off firecrackers; household candles Tongming, Shou-more-year-old question. Early in the morning early to go pro-string Daoxi Friends say hello. This custom of the more mass the more widely and became the most solemn of Chinese folk traditional festivals.
从此每年除夕,家家贴红对联、燃放爆竹;户户烛火通明、守更待岁 。初一一大早,还要走亲串友道喜问好 。这风俗越传越广,成了中国民间最隆重的传统节日The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. Like all Chinese festivals, the date of the new year is determined by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar, so the date of the holiday varies from late January to mid February. The Spring festival celebrates the earth coming back to life, and the start of ploughing and sowing. In the past, feudal rulers of dynasties placed great importance on this occasion, and ceremonies to usher in the season were performed. 在中国最古老最重要的节日就是春节了,在西方被成为中国新年 。跟其他的中国传统节日一样,春节也是源于中国传统的农历也就是太阳历,而不是西方的阳历,因此这个节日的日期会在一月底和2月初浮动变化 。春节庆祝的是土地的生命复苏,和一年耕作的开始 。在过去一些朝代,封建统治者非常重视这这个场合,欢迎春天这个季节的仪式将会上演 。The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened.
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job's tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko.
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.
After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called "Seeing the New Year in".
Store owners are busy then as everybody goes out to purchase necessities for the New Year. Materials not only include edible oil, rice, flour, chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also fruit, candies and kinds of nuts. What's more, various decorations, new clothes and shoes for the children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends and relatives, are all on the list of purchasing.
Before the New Year comes, the people completely clean the indoors and outdoors of their homes as well as their clothes, bedclothes and all their utensils.
Then people begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity. All the door panels will be pastedwith Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners' wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, pictures of the god of doors and wealth will be posted on front doors to ward off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.
The Chinese character "fu" (meaning blessing or happiness) is a must. The character put on paper can be pasted normally or upside down, for in Chinese the "reversed fu" is homophonic with "fu comes", both being pronounced as "fudaole." What's more, two big red lanterns can be raised on both sides of the front door. Red paper-cuttings can be seen on window glass and brightly colored New Year paintings with auspicious meanings may be put on the wall.
People attach great importance to Spring Festival Eve. At that time, all family members eat dinner together. The meal is more luxurious than usual. Dishes such as chicken, fish and bean curd cannot be excluded, for in Chinese, their pronunciations, respectively "ji", "yu" and "doufu," mean auspiciousness, abundance and richness. After the dinner, the whole family will sit together, chatting and watching TV. In recent years, the Spring Festival party broadcast on China Central Television Station (CCTV) is essential entertainment for the Chinese both at home and abroad. According to custom, each family will stay up to see the New Year in.
Waking up on New Year, everybody dresses up. First they extend greetings to their parents. Then each child will get money as a New Year gift, wrapped up in red paper. People in northern China will eat jiaozi, or dumplings, for breakfast, as they think "jiaozi" in sound means "bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new". Also, the shape of the dumpling is like gold ingot from ancient China. So people eat them and wish for money and treasure.
Southern Chinese eat niangao (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this occasion, because as a homophone, niangao means "higher and higher, one year after another." The first five days after the Spring Festival are a good time for relatives, friends, and classmates as well as colleagues to exchange greetings, gifts and chat leisurely.
Burning fireworks was once the most typical custom on the Spring Festival. People thought the spluttering sound could help drive away evil spirits. However, such an activity was completely or partially forbidden in big cities once the government took security, noise and pollution factors into consideration. As a replacement, some buy tapes with firecracker sounds to listen to, some break little balloons to get the sound too, while others buy firecracker handicrafts to hang in the living room.
The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but permeates to streets and lanes. A series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held for days. The Spring Festival then comes to an end when the Lantern Festival is finished.
China has 56 ethnic groups. Minorities celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people, and they have different customs.