CHINESE NEW YEAR中国春节

China’s traditional festivals have evolved through the centuries from past major events:

Long ago when people had a bountiful harvest, they gathered and celebrated their good fortune with gala performances.

When natural disasters struck, they offered sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors, hoping for a blessing.

The change of the seasons, flowers in spring, and the bring moon in autumn could all stir their longing for a more beautiful life.

Thus, creative activities were held to signify these events. Gradually, these activities developed into festivals.

中国春节 Chinese New Year

概况 Introduction 装饰 Decoration 娱乐 Entertainment 食品 Special Food 习俗 Tradition 拜年 Greetings

中国春节 Chinese New Year

According to the Chinese calendar, the New Moon on the first day of the new year– the full moon 15 days later. The Day is the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.

Chinese New Year, celebrated internationally is the most important holiday for Chinese people, and many Eastern Asians, (ex. Mongolians, Koreans, Vietnamese, etc.) also celebrate the new year on this day.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day are celebrated as a family affair; a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth; the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The most vital of all rituals is to provide sacrifices to the ancestors. This unites the family with those who have passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the present family.

中国春节 Chinese New Year

装饰 Decoration

春联 Chun lian (Spring Couplet) 门神 Men Shen (Door God) 年画 Nian hua (New Year Picture) 灯笼 Denglong (Lantern) 剪纸 Jian zhi (Papercuts) 倒福 Dao Fu (Good Luck Sign) 金橘树 Jinju shu (Kumquat tree)

春联 Chun lian (Spring Couplet)

倒福 Dao Fu (Good Luck Sign)

门神 Men Shen (Door God)

年画 Nian hua (New Year Picture)

灯笼 Denglong (Lantern)

剪纸 Jian zhi (Papercuts)

金橘树 Jinju shu (Kumquat tree)

娱乐 Entertainment

鞭炮 Bian pao (fireworks) 焰花 Yan hua (firecrackers) 舞龙 Wu long (dragon dance) 舞狮 Wu shi (lion dance)

焰花 Yan hua (fireworks)

鞭炮 Bian pao (firecrackers)

舞龙 Wu long (dragon dance)

舞狮 Wu shi (lion dance)

食品 Special Food

饺子 Jiaozi (Chinese dumpling) 年糕 Nian gao (New Year’s rice cake) 橘子 Juzi (Oranges) 鱼 Yu (Whole fish) 糖果 Tangguo (Candies)

饺子 Jiaozi (Chinese dumpling)

年糕 Nian gao (New Year’s rice cake)

橘子 Juzi (Oranges)

鱼 Yu (Whole fish)

糖果 Tangguo (Candies)

习俗 Tradition

扫尘 Sao chen (Sweeping dust) 红包 Hong bao (Red envelope) 拜年 Bai nian (New Year’s Greeting) 送灶王爷 Song Zao Wang Yei (Kitchen

God) 腊八粥 La Ba Zhou (La Ba Porridge)

扫尘 Sao chen (Sweeping dust)

红包 Hong bao (Red envelope)

拜年 New Year’s Greeting

Gong xi fa cai (Wishing for a prosperous year)

恭 喜 发财！

Xin nian kuai le(Happy New Year!)

新 年 快 乐！

送灶王爷 Kitchen God

腊八粥 La Ba Porridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7laBfy89qK8