1、讲中国故事 传中华文化Tell Chinese stories andspread Chinese cultureBy Deng lin Jie NeiJiang NO.1Middle SCHOOLIt falls on the first day of the first Chinese lunar month and the celebration last from the 23rd of the 12th lunar month up to the 15th of the first lunar month next year.According to legend,there was
2、 a man-eating wild monster Nian with an extremely large mouth,capable of swallowing several people in a single bite.This beast appeared in a country village,towards the end of winter when there was nothing to eat it would visit the villages and attack and eat whatever it could.The villagers would li
3、ve in terror over the winter.One day,a wise old man passed through the village and told an old woman,I will teach you how to scare Nian away!That evening when Nian arrived at the village,he saw that all the houses were dark except the house in which an old woman lived.Nian approached the house,licki
4、ng his lips in anticipation.Suddenly,the deafening noise of firecrackers sounded endlessly.The monster was startled and jumped.Suddenly he realized that the house was covered in red paper.This scared him even more and it ran off into the mountains.When the villagers returned they saw that the old wo
5、man was unharmed!People later learned that nian was afraid of loud noises and the color red.The villagers came together and agreed that when it was time for Nians annual visit towards the end of winter they would start a fire in front of every door and not go to sleep but rather make noise.Nian had
6、not come down the mountain to cause any trouble thereafter.This eventually become a tradition of China and leads to the celebration for another year of safe life.Chinese people celebrate in remembrance of this legend and still continues till today!“dustin Chinese means old and past.This custom shows
7、 a good wish of putting away old things to welcome a new life.On the eve of the Spring Festival,every household will paste on doors a spring couplets written on red paper to give a happy and prosperous atmosphere of the Festival.“Fushows peoples yearning toward a good life.Some people even invert th
8、e Characterfuto signify that blessing has arrived because“invertedis a homonym for“arrivein Chinese.The first thing every Chinese household does is to set off fireworks and firecrackerasOn the first day of the Chinese lunar year,everybody puts on their best clothes and pay ceremonial calls on their
9、relatives and friends,wishing them all the luck in the coming year.恭喜发财Wish You Prosperity步步高升Promoting to a high position桔祥如意Everything goes well岁岁平安Peace all year roundJuniors will greet seniors,wishing them health and longevity,while seniors will give juniors some gift money as wish for their saf
10、ety in the coming year.Dumpling and fish are must during the Family Reunion Dinner on New Years Eve.Some people will put a coin inside one dumpling.The people who eat this dumpling will be to thought be a lucky guy.The fish could not be eaten out because the fish means extra things by partial tone.A
11、nd it represents the wish for a prosperous year with abundant and even extra wealth and luck.People began their day by offerin prayers and welcome the gods of heaven and earth.Most of the people stay away from meat to ensure healthy living According to the traditions,nobodyvisits friends and relativ
12、es houses as it would bring bad omen.They stay back home to worship the god of wealth.The day is called Po Woo.Temple fair,usually held outside temples,is a kind of folk customs in China.It is one of the most important activites,in which there are such performances as acrobatics and Wushu,numerous kinds of local snacks and many kind of things for everyday life.十二生肖SHI ER SHENGXIAO子z 鼠丑(chu)牛牛寅(yn)虎虎卯(mo)兔兔辰(chn)龙龙 巳(si)蛇蛇 午(w)马马未(wi)羊羊 申(shn)猴猴 酉(yu)鸡鸡 戌(x)狗狗 亥(hi)猪猪
