《Chinese New Year思维导图英语》

I. Origins & History

• A. Ancient Agriculture Rituals:
  • Focus: Praying for a good harvest and prosperity in the coming year.
  • Deities: Offering sacrifices to gods and ancestors.
  • Timing: Based on the lunar calendar, marking the end of winter and beginning of spring.
• B. Legend of Nian:
  • Monster: Nian, a mythical beast that terrorized villages.
  • Vulnerability: Nian was afraid of loud noises, red color, and bright lights.
  • Defeat: Villagers used firecrackers, red decorations, and lanterns to scare Nian away.
• C. Evolution Over Time:
  • Dynasties: Celebrated differently under various dynasties (e.g., Tang, Song, Ming).
  • Customs: Incorporating diverse regional traditions and beliefs.
  • Modern Era: Became a national holiday with a week-long break and global celebrations.

II. Preparations & Decorations

• A. Thorough Cleaning (扫尘):
  • Symbolism: Sweeping away bad luck and making way for good fortune.
  • Scope: Cleaning houses from top to bottom.
  • Timing: Done before New Year's Eve.
• B. Decorations:
  • 1. Red Lanterns (红灯笼):
    • Symbolism: Represents prosperity, good luck, and warding off evil spirits.
    • Placement: Hung indoors and outdoors.
  • 2. Spring Couplets (春联):
    • Content: Auspicious phrases and poems expressing hopes for the new year.
    • Placement: Pasted on door frames.
    • Examples: "May you be blessed with boundless fortune" (福星高照), "May wealth come generously" (财源广进).
  • 3. Paper Cuttings (剪纸):
    • Designs: Animals (especially the zodiac animal of the year), flowers, auspicious symbols.
    • Placement: Pasted on windows and walls.
  • 4. Upside-down Fu Character (倒福):
    • Symbolism: "Fu" (福) means good fortune. Upside-down means "fortune arrives" (福到了).
    • Placement: Pasted on doors or walls.
  • 5. Tangerine Trees (橘子树):
    • Symbolism: Tangerines represent wealth and prosperity due to their golden color.
    • Placement: Placed in homes or businesses.
• C. Buying New Clothes:
  • Symbolism: Represents a fresh start and getting rid of the old.
  • Color Preference: Red is a popular choice for its auspicious connotations.

III. Food & Feasts

• A. Reunion Dinner (团圆饭):
  • Significance: The most important meal of the year, eaten on New Year's Eve.
  • Attendees: All family members gather together.
  • Dishes: Traditionally includes fish (鱼, yú - abundance), dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi - wealth), spring rolls (春卷, chūnjuǎn - wealth), and glutinous rice cake (年糕, niángāo - progress, higher each year).
• B. Symbolic Food:
  • 1. Dumplings (饺子):
    • Shape: Resemble ancient Chinese money (yuanbao).
    • Filling: Pork, vegetables, and sometimes hidden coins for good luck.
    • Custom: Northern Chinese tradition.
  • 2. Fish (鱼):
    • Symbolism: Represents abundance (余, yú), a homophone for surplus.
    • Preparation: Steamed, braised, or fried.
    • Custom: Must be eaten, but some families leave a portion uneaten to ensure surplus throughout the year.
  • 3. Spring Rolls (春卷):
    • Shape: Resemble gold bars.
    • Filling: Vegetables and meat.
    • Custom: Southern Chinese tradition.
  • 4. Glutinous Rice Cake (年糕):
    • Symbolism: Represents progress, higher each year (年高, niángāo).
    • Ingredients: Glutinous rice flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
    • Preparation: Steamed or fried.
  • 5. Tangerines and Oranges (橘子和橙子):
    • Symbolism: Represents wealth and good luck due to their round shape and golden color.
• C. Snacks and Treats:
  • Candy: Represents a sweet life in the new year.
  • Seeds: Symbolize fertility and new beginnings.
  • Nuts: Represent longevity and good health.

IV. Customs & Traditions

• A. Giving Red Envelopes (红包):
  • Content: Money given to children and unmarried adults.
  • Symbolism: Represents good luck and warding off evil spirits.
  • Modern Trend: Digital red envelopes via WeChat Pay and Alipay.
• B. Firecrackers and Fireworks (鞭炮和烟花):
  • Purpose: To scare away evil spirits and welcome the new year.
  • Sound and Light: Loud noises and bright displays are essential.
  • Restrictions: Many cities have restrictions due to safety concerns.
• C. Lion and Dragon Dances (舞狮和舞龙):
  • Entertainment: Traditional dances performed to bring good luck and prosperity.
  • Symbolism: Lion represents courage and strength; dragon represents good fortune and power.
  • Performance: Involves intricate costumes and skilled performers.
• D. Visiting Family and Friends (拜年):
  • Purpose: To exchange greetings and wishes for the new year.
  • Etiquette: Offering blessings, exchanging gifts, and sharing meals.
  • Keywords: "Happy New Year" (新年快乐, Xīnnián kuàilè), "Wishing you prosperity" (恭喜发财, Gōngxǐ fācái).
• E. Temple Fairs (庙会):
  • Activities: Traditional performances, food stalls, games, and religious ceremonies.
  • Atmosphere: Lively and festive.
  • Purpose: To celebrate the new year and seek blessings.

V. Zodiac Animals (生肖)

• A. Cycle: A 12-year cycle, each year represented by a different animal.
• B. Animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
• C. Characteristics: Each animal is associated with specific personality traits and characteristics.
• D. Significance: People born in a particular animal year are believed to share those characteristics.
• E. 2024: Year of the Dragon (symbolizes power, good fortune, and success).

VI. Taboos (禁忌)

• A. Cleaning on New Year's Day:
  • Reason: Sweeping away good luck.
  • Alternatives: Cleaning thoroughly before New Year's Eve.
• B. Using Sharp Objects:
  • Reason: Cutting off good fortune.
  • Alternatives: Avoiding the use of knives, scissors, and other sharp objects.
• C. Breaking Dishes:
  • Reason: Brings bad luck.
  • Action: If a dish is broken accidentally, say "岁岁平安" (suì suì píng ān - peace all year round).
• D. Lending or Borrowing Money:
  • Reason: Brings financial instability.
  • Alternatives: Avoiding financial transactions during the New Year period.
• E. Wearing Black or White:
  • Reason: Associated with mourning.
  • Alternatives: Wearing bright and colorful clothing, especially red.
• F. Giving Certain Gifts:
  • Clocks: Pronunciation sounds like "sending off to the afterlife."
  • Shoes: Sound like "bad luck."
  • Pears: Symbolize separation.

VII. Global Celebrations

• A. Chinatowns Worldwide:
  • Celebrations: Parades, lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, and food festivals.
  • Communities: Celebrated by Chinese diaspora communities around the world.
• B. Southeast Asia:
  • Countries: Vietnam (Tet), Korea (Seollal), and other countries with significant Chinese influence.
  • Adaptations: Adapting traditions to local customs and cultures.
• C. Western Countries:
  • Interest: Increasing awareness and interest in Chinese New Year among non-Chinese communities.
  • Events: Cultural events, parades, and celebrations organized in major cities.

VIII. Greetings & Wishes

• A. Common Greetings:
  • "Happy New Year" (新年快乐, Xīnnián kuàilè)
  • "Wishing you prosperity" (恭喜发财, Gōngxǐ fācái)
  • "Wishing you good health" (身体健康, Shēntǐ jiànkāng)
  • "Everything goes well" (万事如意, Wànshì rúyì)
• B. Zodiac-Specific Greetings:
  • Year of the Dragon: "Wishing you success like a dragon" (龙马精神, Lóngmǎ jīngshén – energetic spirit like a dragon and horse).
• C. Blessings for Family:
  • For Elders: "Wishing you longevity and good health" (福如东海，寿比南山, Fú rú dōnghǎi, shòu bǐ nánshān) - Happiness as immense as the East Sea, Longevity as great as the South Mountain.
  • For Children: "Wishing you grow taller and stronger" (快高长大, Kuài gāo cháng dà).