The Spring The Spring Festival Festival （春 节） （春 节）

Spring: 春 chūn festival: 节 jié The Spring Festival is Chinese New Year ( 新年 xīn nián )

seven Chinese people generally have seven days off for the Chinese New Year(from the last day of the “old year”to 6th day of the “new year”) HOLIDAYS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR How many days off school do you think pupils enjoy? One week before New Year’s Eve and 2 weeks after that. From this year, pupils in junior middle school and primary school enjoy 4-week holiday.

nian 年 A legend about “nian 年 ” nian 年 “ nian 年 ” was a fierce monster in ancient times. It looked like a strong bull with a head like that of a lion. Usually the monster stayed deep in the mountains and caught and ate other beasts. But during the winter, it could not find enough food. So it entered villages to eat whatever it could catch.

Villagers became very frightened and moved away to escape the monster. Nian the red colorbright flameloud noise But later the people found that Nian was afraid of three things: the red color, bright flame, and loud noise. Nian After learning this, they figured out how to prevent Nian from entering their villages.

Every household painted their door red and burned a fire in front of their door-ways. Nian Besides, the people did not go to bed. Instead, they stayed up all night beating on things to make a loud noise. Ever since, Nian has never again come to the villages. Thus, a tradition was established and the customs have been kept through the years.

What do people usually do before Chinese New Year’s Eve? shoppingdecoration

New Year’s shopping

Decoration s What do people usually do before Chinese New Year’s Eve? Pasting up-sided Fu. Paper cutting FU DAO LE

Decorations What do people usually do before Chinese New Year’s Eve? Nian hua spring couplets (dui lian)

Why do Chinese decorate houses with red couplets and red lanterns? Quiz Because Nian is scared by red colour.

Family getting together and having a feast. On Chinese New Year’s Eve How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

The CCTV New Year’s Gala On Spring Festival Eve How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

Setting off fireworks or firecrackers On Spring Festival Eve How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

People set off firecrackers for the Spring Festival. Why? Quiz

firecrackers Later, the people found that bamboo could make a crackling sound when burned. Thus, the burning bamboo was used to take the place of beating on things. In time, the noise of crackling bamboo was replaced with bang of firecrackers. This is how the Chinese people began to set off firecrackers for the Spring Festival.

Making phone calls or sending text messages to say “Happy New Year”. On Spring Festival Eve How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

Families visit the senior members of their extended Family to say ‘Happy New Year’. 拜年 bài nián The first day How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

red envelopes containing money Parents give children and unmarried members of the family red envelopes containing money, often decorated with pictures and good-luck messages. It will bring them good luck. Gift money

2 nd or 3rd Day  The Chinese pray to their ancestors and sweep the tombs. How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

3rd & 4th Day  It is for married daughters to visit their birth parents; for the sons-in-law to pay respect to their parents-in-law. How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

ragon dancelion dance watching D ragon dance or lion dance watching happiness good luck. To spread happiness and good luck. During the spring festival How do people celebrate Spring Festival?

The 15th day 15ththe Lantern Festival The 15th day is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

dumplings/ ji ǎ o zi （ 饺子） The traditional food at New Year’s Eve

t ā ng yuán/ yuan xiao /rice dumplings （汤圆） The traditional food for the Lantern Festival

Chicken 鸡 / 吉 (jī) means fortunate Lucky food: Fish 鱼 / 余 (yú) means plenty to spare.

“Happy New Year” 过年好 !( gu ò nián h ǎ o) 恭喜发财 !( g ō ng x ǐ f ā cái )

The lucky colour: Red (good luck) Why do children like the Spring Festival? 1.Having holidays. 2. New clothes 3. Delicious food 4. Gift money 5. Gifts 6. Crackers 7. Lion dancing and dragon dancing 8. Growing up See if you know…

The most commonly used character: See if you know… 1. Fu 2. Gong xi fa cai 3. xin nian hao The most welcomed food: 1. Jiao zi 2. Yu 3. Ji 4. Tang yuan (Yuan xiao)