《关于春节的英语思维导图》

Central Idea: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

I. Timing & Duration

• A. Lunar Calendar:
  • Based on the lunisolar calendar.
  • Differs from the Gregorian calendar (solar calendar).
  • Date varies each year, generally between January 21st and February 20th.
• B. Duration:
  • Traditionally, a 15-day celebration.
  • Officially, a 7-day public holiday in mainland China.
  • Celebrations often extend beyond the official holiday period.
• C. Laba Festival (腊八节):
  • Marks the beginning of the Spring Festival season (around early January).
  • Observed on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
  • Traditional Laba porridge (腊八粥) is consumed.

II. Traditions & Customs

• A. Family Reunion:
  • Most important aspect of the festival.
  • "Chunyun" (春运) - the largest annual human migration globally.
  • People travel back to their hometowns to be with family.
  • Family dinner (年夜饭) on Chinese New Year's Eve.
• B. Decorations:
  • Red Lanterns (红灯笼): Symbolize good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
  • Spring Couplets (春联): Paired scrolls with auspicious sayings posted on doorways.
  • Paper Cuttings (剪纸): Intricate paper designs, often with themes of prosperity and good luck.
  • Upside-down "福" Character: Represents good luck arriving.
  • Orange Trees/Mandarin Oranges: Symbolize wealth and prosperity.
  • Nian Hua (年画): New Year paintings depicting deities, historical figures, and auspicious symbols.
• C. Food:
  • Dumplings (饺子): Shape resembles ancient Chinese money; symbol of wealth. Often eaten in Northern China.
  • Spring Rolls (春卷): Golden color symbolizes wealth.
  • Noodles (面条): Long noodles represent longevity.
  • Fish (鱼): "鱼" (yú) sounds like "余" (yú), meaning surplus; symbolizes abundance for the new year.
  • Tangyuan (汤圆): Sweet rice balls in soup, symbolizing family togetherness.
  • Rice Cakes (年糕): "年糕" (niángāo) sounds like "年高" (niángāo), meaning higher year; symbolizes progress and improvement.
• D. Red Envelopes (红包):
  • Filled with money and given to children and unmarried adults.
  • Symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
  • Increasingly common to give e-red envelopes via mobile payment apps.
• E. Firecrackers & Fireworks (鞭炮/烟花):
  • Used to scare away evil spirits and celebrate the new year.
  • Banned in many cities due to safety and environmental concerns.
  • Firecracker sounds and displays are an integral part of the celebration.
• F. Lion and Dragon Dances (舞狮/舞龙):
  • Traditional performances to bring good luck and prosperity.
  • Performed by skilled dancers wearing elaborate costumes.
  • Often accompanied by drums, gongs, and cymbals.
• G. Temple Fairs (庙会):
  • Traditional fairs held at temples, featuring food stalls, performances, and games.
  • Provide a festive atmosphere and a chance to experience traditional culture.
• H. Visiting Relatives & Friends (拜年):
  • Visiting relatives and friends to exchange greetings and well wishes.
  • Offering gifts and red envelopes.
• I. Cleaning House (扫尘):
  • Thorough cleaning of the house to sweep away bad luck and welcome the new year.
  • Symbolizes starting fresh.

III. Zodiac Animal & Symbolism

• A. 12-Year Cycle:
  • Each year is associated with a different animal from the Chinese zodiac.
  • The zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• B. Animal Characteristics:
  • Each animal is believed to possess certain characteristics that influence the year and the people born in that year.
  • For example, the Dragon is associated with power, prosperity, and good fortune.
• C. Ben Ming Nian (本命年):
  • Your zodiac year. Considered unlucky. Wear red to ward off bad luck.
• D. The Significance of Each Zodiac Animal: Consider expanding on the meaning of several animals to showcase understanding (e.g., Tiger represents courage and strength; Rabbit symbolizes peace and diplomacy).

IV. Greetings & Phrases

• A. "Happy New Year!"
  • "新年快乐!" (Xīnnián kuàilè!)
• B. "Gong Xi Fa Cai!"
  • "恭喜发财!" (Gōngxǐ fācái!) - Wishing you prosperity.
• C. "Wan Shi Ru Yi!"
  • "万事如意!" (Wànshì rúyì!) - May all your wishes come true.
• D. "Shen Ti Jian Kang!"
  • "身体健康!" (Shēntǐ jiànkāng!) - Wishing you good health.
• E. Specific Zodiac Animal Greetings: (e.g., "Happy Year of the Dragon!")

V. Taboos & Superstitions

• A. Avoid Sweeping/Cleaning on New Year's Day: Sweeping away good luck.
• B. Avoid Washing Hair on New Year's Day: Washing away good fortune.
• C. Avoid Lending/Borrowing Money: Can lead to financial difficulties throughout the year.
• D. Avoid Wearing White or Black: These colors are associated with mourning.
• E. Avoid Breaking Dishes: Symbolizes bad luck. If broken, say "岁岁平安" (suì suì píng'ān) - "peace year after year."
• F. Avoid Giving Certain Gifts: Clocks (钟, zhōng sounds like 终, zhōng - the end), sharp objects (cutting off relationships), pears (梨, lí sounds like 离, lí - separation).

VI. Modern Adaptations

• A. Online Shopping: Buying gifts and New Year supplies online.
• B. E-Red Envelopes: Sending money digitally.
• C. Watching CCTV New Year's Gala (春晚): A popular television program broadcast on New Year's Eve.
• D. Traveling Abroad During the Holiday: Spending the holiday overseas.
• E. Reduced Firework Displays: Due to environmental concerns.

VII. Lantern Festival (元宵节)

• A. Marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
• B. Lanterns are displayed and admired.
• C. Eating Tangyuan (汤圆) and solving lantern riddles (猜灯谜) are common activities.
• D. Lion and dragon dances are performed.