Chinese New Year中国新年 xin nian

二 0 一一年是中国的兔年

中国的 Zodiac 有十二只动物。它们是∶

Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived.

tu

xin哪天是中国的新年？

二 0 一一年二月四日是中国的新年。

今年是兔年。l)

兔年快乐！Chun jie hao

春节好 ! According to the Chinese

Lunar Calendar, 2/4/11 is also the first day of Spring. 中国新年也叫春节 （ Spring Festival ）

The Origin Of the Chinese The Origin Of the Chinese New Year CelebrationNew Year Celebration

The Origin of The Origin of 中国新年 中国新年 celebration is too old celebration is too old to be traced, but manyof the colorful to be traced, but manyof the colorful legends and traditions have something legends and traditions have something with a monstrous beast with a monstrous beast 叫 叫 NianNian 。。 Nian is Nian is cruel and ferocious, cruel and ferocious, 很凶 很凶 that the ancient that the ancient 中国人中国人 believed would devour believed would devour 男人和女人男人和女人 on on New Year’s Eve.New Year’s Eve.

To keep To keep 年年 away, red-paper couplets are pasted away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit and firecrackers are set on doors, torches are lit and firecrackers are set off through the night, because Nain is said to off through the night, because Nain is said to fear the color red, the light of fire ,and loud fear the color red, the light of fire ,and loud noises. noises.

Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping Nain away for another year, the most popular Nain away for another year, the most popular greeting heard is greeting heard is 恭喜 恭喜 gong xi, or gong xi, or “congratulations”. “congratulations”.

焰火 yuanhuo

Spring couplets are paper scrolls and squares inscribed with blessings and auspicious words, such as “good fortune” and “springtime.

couplets

Couplet poems are written and pasted on the front door to scare away 年。

The paper squares are usually pasted upside down, because the Mandarin word for “upside down”, dao, is a homonym of the word “arrival”.

福 fu fortune

The Chinese character upside down “ 倒” is a homophone with the character Arrival “ 到”。 by saying “your word is upside down”, you are also saying your “fortune arrives ！”

Many places are decorated with red and gold for good wishes for the New Year.

Lanterns are lit for the night.

鱼 is a homophone with 余 yu, meaning surplus.

By having fish on the dinner table, 有鱼， people express their wishes that they will be doing so well for the year and they will actually have surplus.

You often see fish associated with the new year celebrations.

Chinese red envelopes

Monetary gifts are usually presented in red envelopes during festive occasions, like weddings, birthdays, and the New Year. While their main task is to bear gifts, their second duty is to shower the recipient with luck, joy, and prosperity

TaboosTaboos It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the

first five days of the Lunar New first five days of the Lunar New Year,because one might accidentally Year,because one might accidentally sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of the house.the house.

Bad language and talk of death are Bad language and talk of death are severely frowned upon. severely frowned upon.

If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “sui sui If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “sui sui ping an” ,means every year will be safe ping an” ,means every year will be safe and secure. and secure.

On the first day of the Lunar New year

Offering ritual homage to one’s ancestors. Reverence is then paid to the gods.

New clothes are worn and visits are made to friends, neighbors, and relatives to exchange good wishes of “gong si fa cai”, which means “congratulations and prosperity”.

恭喜发财

All of Taiwan’s temples are usually very busy during this time of year as large numbers of people crowd into them with elevated incense sticks to pray for good luck.

The Dragon And The Lion Dance

One of the most spectacular sights during the Lunar New Year Festival is the dragon and lion dance. The heads of these fearsome beasts are supposed to ward off evil, and the nimble movements of the dancers provide a grand spectacle enjoyable to everyone. 

兔年快乐！ Tu nian kuai le

新年快乐！ Xinnian kuai le

兔年好！ Tu nian hao

过年好！ Guo nian hao

恭喜发财！ Gong xi fa cai

春节好！ Chun jie hao

恭贺新禧！ Gong he xin xi