《春节英文版思维导图》

Central Idea: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

1. Time & Duration

• Lunar Calendar: Based on the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.
• Date Range: Late January to mid-February. The actual date varies each year.
• Length: Officially 7-day public holiday in mainland China. Celebrations traditionally last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.
• Pre-Festival Period: The preparation period starts weeks before the actual festival.

2. Names & Significance

• Chinese New Year: The most common English name.
• Spring Festival (春节 - Chūn Jié): Highlights the end of winter and the arrival of spring, symbolizing new beginnings and hope for a prosperous year.
• Lunar New Year: A more general term, encompassing other lunar New Years celebrated in Asia (e.g., Korean Seollal, Vietnamese Tết).
• Significance: The most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. A time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and wishing for good fortune. Marks the beginning of a new year according to the Chinese zodiac.

3. Zodiac Animals (生肖 - Shēng Xiào)

• Cycle: A 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal.
• Animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (Sheep/Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
• 2024 (Example): Year of the Dragon (Wood Dragon).
• Symbolism: Each animal possesses unique characteristics that are believed to influence the fortunes of those born in that year. E.g., Dragon symbolizes power, good fortune, and strength.
• Personal Attributes: People believe they inherit some personality traits of their zodiac animal.

4. Traditions & Customs

• Family Reunion Dinner (团圆饭 - Tuán Yuán Fàn): The most important meal of the year. Families travel long distances to be together.
  • Typical Dishes: Dumplings (饺子 - Jiǎozi), Spring Rolls (春卷 - Chūn Juǎn), Fish (鱼 - Yú - Symbolizes abundance), Nian Gao (年糕 - Nián Gāo - Sticky rice cake, symbolizes progress). Dishes vary regionally.
  • Symbolism of Dumplings: Shaped like ancient Chinese money (ingots), representing wealth.
• Red Envelopes (红包 - Hóng Bāo): Money given as gifts, typically to children and unmarried adults.
  • Color: Red symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
  • Meaning: Wishing the recipient good fortune and warding off evil spirits.
  • Digital Red Envelopes: Increasingly common through mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay.
• Decorations:
  • Red Lanterns (红灯笼 - Hóng Dēnglóng): Hung everywhere to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
  • Paper Cuttings (剪纸 - Jiǎnzhǐ): Intricate designs cut from red paper, often depicting auspicious symbols.
  • Spring Couplets (春联 - Chūnlián): Pairs of poetic verses written on red paper and pasted on doorframes. Expresses wishes for the new year.
  • Door Gods (门神 - Mén Shén): Images of deities posted on doors to protect against evil spirits.
  • Upside-Down "Fu" Character (倒福 - Dào Fú): "Fu" means good fortune. Hanging it upside down symbolizes that good fortune "arrives" (倒 - Dào also means "to arrive").
• Firecrackers & Fireworks (鞭炮 - Biānpào & 烟花 - Yānhuā): Used to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck. Regulations vary in different cities due to safety and environmental concerns.
• Lion and Dragon Dances (舞狮 - Wǔ Shī & 舞龙 - Wǔ Lóng): Traditional dances performed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
• Temple Fairs (庙会 - Miàohuì): Outdoor fairs with food stalls, games, performances, and religious activities.
• Visiting Relatives and Friends (拜年 - Bài Nián): Paying visits to relatives and friends to exchange greetings and wishes for the new year.
  • Common Greetings: "Happy New Year!" (新年快乐 - Xīn Nián Kuài Lè), "Wishing you good fortune!" (恭喜发财 - Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái).
• Cleaning the House (扫尘 - Sǎo Chén): Thoroughly cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune. Done before the new year.

5. Superstitions & Taboos

• Avoid sweeping or cleaning on the first day: Thought to sweep away good luck.
• Avoid using sharp objects: May cut off good fortune.
• Avoid wearing white or black clothing: Colors associated with mourning. Red is preferred.
• Avoid borrowing or lending money: Thought to set the tone for the rest of the year.
• Avoid breaking things: Considered bad luck.
• Avoid arguing or fighting: Should maintain a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

6. Food

• Dumplings (饺子 - Jiǎozi): Shaped like ancient Chinese money, symbolising wealth. Regional variations in filling and preparation.
• Spring Rolls (春卷 - Chūn Juǎn): Symbolize wealth because their golden color resembles gold bars.
• Fish (鱼 - Yú): Represents abundance and surplus. The Chinese word for fish, "Yu", sounds like the word for surplus.
• Noodles (面条 - Miàn Tiáo): Long noodles symbolize longevity.
• Tangyuan (汤圆 - Tāng Yuán): Sweet rice balls served in soup, symbolizing family unity and completeness. Typically eaten during the Lantern Festival.
• Nian Gao (年糕 - Nián Gāo): Sticky rice cake, symbolizes progress and advancement. The word "Nian Gao" sounds like "higher year."
• Oranges and Tangerines (橘子 - Júzi & 橙子 - Chéngzi): Symbolize wealth and good fortune.

7. Regional Variations

• North vs. South: Different traditions and food preferences. For example, in the north, dumplings are a staple, while in the south, rice cakes and spring rolls are more common.
• Minority Ethnic Groups: Different ethnic groups have their own unique celebrations and traditions.
• Overseas Chinese Communities: Adaptations and blending of traditions with local cultures.

8. Lantern Festival (元宵节 - Yuánxiāo Jié)

• Date: The 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
• Activities:
  • Lantern Displays: Elaborate and colorful lanterns are displayed in public places.
  • Eating Tangyuan: Sweet rice balls are eaten, symbolizing family unity.
  • Lantern Riddles: Riddles are written on lanterns for people to solve.
  • Lion and Dragon Dances: Performances continue.