《春节英文思维导图》

Central Theme: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

I. Preparations (年前准备)

• A. Cleaning and Decorating (扫尘与装饰)

  • 1. Spring Cleaning (大扫除):
       • Concept: Sweeping away bad luck from the previous year, welcoming good fortune.
       • Phrases: "Sweep away the dust," "Clean house," "New Year, new look."
       • Customs: Thoroughly cleaning the house, washing clothes, tidying up the yard.
  • 2. Decorations (装饰品):
       • Concept: Adding festive atmosphere, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
       • Phrases: "Decorate with lanterns," "Hang up couplets," "Paper cuttings."
       • Items:
       • a. Red Lanterns (红灯笼): Symbolizing good luck and warding off evil.
       • b. Spring Couplets (春联): Wishing good fortune, prosperity, and happiness. Often containing auspicious phrases. Example: "万事如意 (May all your wishes be fulfilled)."
       • c. Paper Cuttings (剪纸): Intricate designs often featuring zodiac animals or auspicious symbols.
       • d. Upside-down "Fu" character (倒福字): Symbolizing that good fortune has arrived ("福倒了" sounds like "福到了").
       • e. New Year Paintings (年画): Traditional paintings depicting auspicious scenes, historical figures, or folk stories.
  • 3. Buying New Clothes (买新衣):
       • Concept: Symbolizing a fresh start and new beginnings.
       • Phrases: "New clothes for the New Year," "Dress up," "A fresh start."

• B. Shopping for Gifts and Food (置办年货)

  • 1. Gifts for Relatives and Friends (礼品):
       • Concept: Expressing gratitude and strengthening relationships.
       • Phrases: "Giving gifts," "Expressing gratitude," "Strengthening bonds."
       • Examples: Tea, fruit, local specialties, health products, toys for children.
  • 2. Food (食物):
       • Concept: Stocking up on essential ingredients for New Year feasts.
       • Phrases: "Stock up on food," "Prepare for the feast," "Grocery shopping."
       • Examples: Meat, vegetables, snacks, fruits, nuts, candies.
  • 3. Red Envelopes (红包):
       • Concept: Giving money as a blessing to children and unmarried adults.
       • Phrases: "Giving red envelopes," "Lucky money," "Blessings."
       • Amounts: Often even numbers, avoiding the number "4" (which sounds like "death" in Chinese).

II. Celebrations (过年庆祝活动)

• A. New Year's Eve (除夕)

  • 1. Reunion Dinner (年夜饭):
       • Concept: The most important meal of the year, symbolizing family unity and togetherness.
       • Phrases: "Reunion dinner," "Family gathering," "Shared meal."
       • Traditional Dishes:
       • a. Dumplings (饺子): Shaped like ancient Chinese money, symbolizing wealth.
       • b. Fish (鱼): Representing abundance and surplus ("年年有余").
       • c. Spring Rolls (春卷): Symbolizing wealth because of their golden color.
       • d. Nian Gao (年糕): Sticky rice cake, symbolizing progress and growth ("年年高升").
  • 2. Watching the CCTV New Year's Gala (看春晚):
       • Concept: A popular television program featuring performances of music, dance, comedy, and drama.
       • Phrases: "New Year's Gala," "Watching TV," "Entertainment."
  • 3. Setting off Fireworks and Firecrackers (放鞭炮):
       • Concept: Scaring away evil spirits and welcoming good luck.
       • Phrases: "Setting off fireworks," "Loud noises," "Festive atmosphere."
       • Concerns: Safety, pollution.
  • 4. Staying Up Late (守岁):
       • Concept: Staying awake until midnight to ward off evil spirits and wish for a long and prosperous life.
       • Phrases: "Staying up late," "Waiting for midnight," "Wishing for longevity."

• B. New Year's Day (正月初一)

  • 1. Visiting Relatives and Friends (拜年):
       • Concept: Expressing New Year greetings and exchanging blessings.
       • Phrases: "Visiting relatives," "Greeting friends," "Happy New Year."
       • Customs: Offering New Year greetings, giving red envelopes to children.
  • 2. Lion and Dragon Dances (舞狮舞龙):
       • Concept: Traditional performances believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
       • Phrases: "Lion dance," "Dragon dance," "Traditional performance."
  • 3. Temple Fairs (庙会):
       • Concept: Outdoor festivals featuring traditional crafts, food stalls, performances, and games.
       • Phrases: "Temple fair," "Outdoor festival," "Traditional crafts."

III. Traditions and Customs (传统习俗)

• A. Family Reunion (家庭团聚)

  • Concept: The most important aspect of Chinese New Year, emphasizing the importance of family bonds.
  • Phrases: "Family reunion," "Spending time with family," "Family values."
  • Travel: The largest annual human migration, with millions of people traveling to their hometowns to be with their families. ("Chunyun" - 春运)

• B. Respect for Elders (尊敬长辈)

  • Concept: Showing respect and gratitude to elders is a central value in Chinese culture.
  • Phrases: "Respect for elders," "Filial piety," "Showing gratitude."
  • Customs: Offering New Year greetings, giving gifts, preparing special meals.

• C. Auspicious Symbols (吉祥象征)

  • Concept: Many symbols and traditions are associated with good luck, prosperity, and happiness.
  • Phrases: "Auspicious symbols," "Good luck," "Prosperity."
  • Examples: Red color, gold color, dragons, phoenixes, specific numbers (e.g., 8).

IV. Zodiac Animals (生肖)

• A. 12-Year Cycle (十二年循环)
  • Concept: Each year is associated with a specific animal from the Chinese zodiac.
  • Phrases: "Zodiac animal," "12-year cycle," "Astrology."
• B. Characteristics and Traits (性格特征)
  • Concept: Each animal is believed to have specific characteristics and traits that influence the year and the people born in that year.
  • Phrases: "Characteristics," "Traits," "Personality."
• C. The 12 Animals (十二生肖):
  • Rat (鼠), Ox (牛), Tiger (虎), Rabbit (兔), Dragon (龙), Snake (蛇), Horse (马), Goat (羊), Monkey (猴), Rooster (鸡), Dog (狗), Pig (猪).

V. Greetings and Wishes (祝福语)

• A. Common Greetings (常用祝福语):

  • Happy New Year! (新年快乐! / Xīn nián kuài lè!)
  • May you have good fortune! (恭喜发财! / Gōng xǐ fā cái!)
  • May all your wishes be fulfilled! (万事如意! / Wàn shì rú yì!)
  • Good health! (身体健康! / Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng!)
  • Happy family! (阖家幸福! / Hé jiā xìng fú!)
  • Wishing you success in your career! (事业有成! / Shì yè yǒu chéng!)
  • May you have a prosperous new year! (新年发财! / Xīn nián fā cái!)

• B. More Elaborate Greetings (更详细的祝福语):

  • Wishing you a year of peace, prosperity, and good health. (祝您新的一年平安、顺利、身体健康。)
  • May you have great success in everything you do this year. (祝您今年事事顺利，马到成功。)
  • May your family be blessed with happiness and harmony throughout the year. (祝您全家幸福安康，和和美美。)

This mind map provides a comprehensive overview of the Chinese New Year, focusing on the key aspects of preparations, celebrations, traditions, zodiac animals, and greetings. It includes both English and Chinese phrases to enhance understanding and cultural awareness.