Chinese New Year’s Customs and Traditions

◎李姍姍

新年（春節）是中國最重要的傳統節日之一。這個節日有著豐富多彩的習俗和傳統，讓我們一起來了解一下吧！

As Chinese New Year approaches, a series of customs and traditions, rich in cultural heritage, mark this festive season.These customs not only1)deepen the festive atmosphere but also show the strong familial bonds in Chinese culture.

Little New Year: worship of the Kitchen God

The Little New Year, usually a week before the lunar New Year, occurs on the twenty-third or twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month.It is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God.It is believed that on this day, the Kitchen God comes to Heaven to report on the family’s activities throughout the year.To ensure a favorable report, families prepare sweet foods like sesame sugar pancakes, hoping to sweeten the Kitchen God’s words and bring good fortune for the coming year.

Preparing for the New Year

In the days following, several rituals and preparations take place.On the twentyfourth day, households engage in a thorough cleaning, symbolizing the sweeping away of bad luck to make room for incoming good fortune.This tradition, known as“sweeping the dust”, involves cleaning every corner of the house,washing2)utensils, and clearing away cobwebs, to set the stage for a fresh start.On the twenty-sixth day, families begin buying New Year’s goods and preparing festive meals.The twentyseventh day and twenty-eighth day are marked by3)purchasing and preparing various items needed for the celebration, including making staple foods for the family reunion dinner.

New Year’s Eve: a day of vigilance and celebration

The last day of the twelfth lunar month, either the twenty-ninth or thirtieth day, depending on the lunar calendar, is New Year’s Eve.This day is filled with busy preparations, including a significant activity known as “visiting the graves of ancestors” to pay respects and seek blessings.At night, families stay up late or “keep vigil” to ward off the mythical beast—Nian, symbolizing the warding off of evil spirits.

The first day of the New Year: greetings and red envelopes

On the first day of the New Year, families exchange greetings and blessings.Elders give red envelopes to younger family members as a symbol of good luck.Traditional meals, including dumplings in the north and wontons in the south, are enjoyed,symbolizing prosperity and longevity.

The second day of the New Year: family reunions

The second day, known as the “day of the first outing”,is when daughters who have married return to their parents’ homes with their husbands.This day is significant for newlyweds, as they follow specific customs, such as bringing pairs of gifts to signify harmony.

Subsequent days: various customs and rituals

The following days, up to the fifteenth day, are filled with various customs.For example, the fifth day, is significant for business, marking the day for welcoming the God of Wealth.On the seventh day,people usually make a special dish made of seven types of vegetables, symbolizing the hope for a bountiful harvest.

These customs, steeped in history and tradition, not only mark the4)advent of the New Year but also reinforce the value of family, respect for the past, and hope for a prosperous future.

1) deepenv.加深

2) utensiln.器具

3) purchasev.購買

4) adventn.到來

詞組加油站

be filled with 充滿……

stay up 熬夜

ward off 阻擋

隨著中國新年的臨近，一系列充滿文化底蘊的習俗和傳統標志著這個節日的開始。這些習俗不僅增強了節日氣氛，而且體現了中華文化中強烈的家庭紐帶。

小年：祭拜灶神

小年通常是農歷新年的前一周，即臘月二十三或臘月二十四，也被稱為灶神節。人們相信在這一天，灶神升天向天庭報告一年來家庭的活動。為了確保有利的報告，家家戶戶準備甜食，如芝麻糖餅，希望灶神多說好話，為來年帶來好運。

為新年做準備

接下來的幾天會進行幾項儀式和準備。臘月二十四，家家戶戶進行大掃除，象征著掃除壞運，為即將到來的好運騰出空間。這一傳統，被稱為“掃塵”，包括清潔房屋的每一個角落，洗滌器具，清除蜘蛛網，為新的開始打下基礎。臘月二十六，家家戶戶開始購買新年物品并準備節日餐食。臘月二十七和二十八標志著購買和準備慶祝新年活動所需的各種物品，包括制作年夜飯的主食。

除夕：緬懷與慶祝的一天

農歷十二月的最后一天，可能是臘月二十九或三十，是除夕。這一天充滿了忙碌的準備，包括一項重要的民俗活動——“祭祀先祖”，以寄托哀思和尋求祝福。到了晚上，人們會熬夜或“守歲”，以驅逐神話中的怪獸——年，象征著驅逐邪靈。

新年第一天：問候與紅包

在新年的第一天，家庭成員互相問候和祝福。長輩會給晚輩紅包，這是一種好運的象征。人們會享用傳統的餐食，比如北方吃餃子，南方吃餛飩，這些象征著繁榮和長壽。

新年第二天：家庭團聚

新年的第二天，被稱為“初次外出的日子”，是已嫁女兒帶著丈夫返回父母家的日子。對于新婚夫婦來說，這一天尤其重要，他們遵循特定的習俗，比如帶上成雙成對的禮物，以象征和諧。

后續日子：各種習俗和儀式

接下來的日子，一直到正月十五，還有各種習俗。例如，大年初五，對于商家來說是重要的一天，這一天要迎財神，祈求一年財源廣進。大年初七，人們會用七種蔬菜煮成七寶羹，祈求大豐收。

這些習俗，浸透了歷史和傳統，不僅標志著新年的到來，而且強化了家庭的價值、對過去的尊重以及對繁榮未來的希望。