CHINESE NEW YEAR

二 0 一二年是中国的龙年

哪天是中国的新年？ 二 0 一五年二月十九日 是中国的新年。 羊年快乐！ 春节好 ! According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, 2/19/1215 is also the first day of Spring. 中国新年也叫春 节 （ Spring Festival ）

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION TO BE TRACED WITH A MONSTROUS BEAST 叫 NIAN Nian is cruel and ferocious, that the ancient 中 国人 believed would devour 人 on New Year’s Eve.

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

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

焰火 YÀNHUO

鞭炮 BIĀN PÀO FIRECRACKERS

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

Chūn lián 春 联 Spring couplet

mén sh é n 门 神 Door God

Made by Ouyang Xiaofang nián huà 年 画年 画 New Y ear Picture

dēnglóng 灯 笼 Lantern

jiǎn zhĭ 剪 纸 papercuts

THE PAPER SQUARES ARE USUALLY PASTED UPSIDE DOWN, BECAUSE THE MANDARIN WORD FOR “UPSIDE DOWN”, DAO, IS A HOMONYM OF THE WORD “ARRIVAL”. 福 fú good 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 ！ ”

Made by Ouyang Xiaofang Entertainment Wŭ lóng 舞 龙 dragon dance Wŭ shī 舞 狮 lion dance

jiǎozi 饺子 Chinese dumpling

Special Food Nián gāo 年 糕 New year’s rice cake

L ANTERNS 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

T RADITION Hóng bāo 红包 Red Envelopes

Taboos It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the first five days of the Lunar New Year,because one might accidentally sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of the house. It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the first five days of the Lunar New Year,because one might accidentally sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of the house. Bad language and talk of death are severely frowned upon. Bad language and talk of death are severely frowned upon. If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “sui sui ping an”,means every year will be safe and secure. If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “sui sui ping an”,means every year will be safe and secure.

O N THE FIRST DAY OF THE L UNAR N EW 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.

Greetings Gōng xĭ fā cái 恭 喜 发 财 Congratulations for getting rich! Xīn nián kuài lè 新 年 快 乐 Happy new year!