《春节习俗英文思维导图》

Central Idea: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) Traditions

I. Pre-Festival Preparations (Preparing for the New Year)

• A. Cleaning & Decoration (扫尘与装饰)
  • 1. Thorough Cleaning (大扫除): Sweeping away bad luck and welcoming good fortune.
       • a. Dusting (掸尘): Removing accumulated dust and dirt.
       • b. Washing (清洗): Cleaning floors, windows, and furniture.
       • c. Disposing of old items (丢弃旧物): Getting rid of unwanted possessions.
  • 2. New Year Decorations (新年装饰): Adding festive atmosphere.
       • a. Red Lanterns (红灯笼): Symbolizing prosperity and good luck.
       • b. Paper Cuttings (剪纸): Intricate designs pasted on windows and doors.
         • i. Common themes: Good fortune, happiness, longevity.
       • c. Spring Couplets (春联): Paired verses expressing good wishes.
         • i. Posted on door frames (贴在门框上): Bringing blessings to the household.
       • d. Upside-down "Fu" Character (倒福字): Signifying that good fortune has arrived (福到了).
       • e. New Year Paintings (年画): Depicting auspicious symbols and stories.
• B. Shopping (购物)
  • 1. New Clothes (新衣服): Wearing new attire symbolizes a fresh start.
       • a. Red is a popular color (红色很流行): Represents good luck and prosperity.
  • 2. Food Ingredients (食材): Preparing for New Year's Eve dinner.
       • a. Meat (肉类): Pork, chicken, duck, fish.
       • b. Vegetables (蔬菜): Various seasonal vegetables.
       • c. Fruits (水果): Oranges, tangerines, apples.
       • d. Nuts and Seeds (坚果和种子): Symbolizing abundance and fertility.
  • 3. Gifts (礼物): For family and friends.
       • a. Traditional snacks (传统零食): Candies, cookies, dried fruits.
       • b. Tea (茶叶): A popular gift item.
       • c. Alcohol (酒): For celebrations.
• C. Travel (旅行)
  • 1. Spring Festival Travel Rush (春运): The largest annual human migration.
       • a. Returning home to family (回家团圆): The most important aspect of the holiday.
       • b. Increased traffic (交通拥堵): Trains, buses, and airplanes are crowded.
  • 2. Planning Ahead (提前计划): Booking tickets and accommodations in advance.

II. New Year's Eve (除夕)

• A. Reunion Dinner (年夜饭): A lavish feast with family.
  • 1. Symbolic Dishes (象征性菜肴): Each dish has a special meaning.
       • a. Fish (鱼): Abundance and surplus (年年有余).
       • b. Dumplings (饺子): Wealth and prosperity (形状像元宝).
         • i. Making dumplings together (一起包饺子): A family activity.
         • ii. Hiding a coin inside (藏一枚硬币): Good luck for the person who finds it.
       • c. Spring Rolls (春卷): Wealth and prosperity (形状像金条).
       • d. Noodles (面条): Longevity.
       • e. Tangyuan (汤圆): Family reunion and togetherness (团团圆圆).
  • 2. Toasting and Greetings (敬酒和祝福): Expressing good wishes for the New Year.
• B. Watching CCTV New Year's Gala (看春晚): A popular television program.
  • 1. Singing, dancing, and comedy (唱歌、跳舞和喜剧): Variety of performances.
  • 2. A family tradition (家庭传统): Watching the gala together is a common practice.
• C. Giving Red Envelopes (压岁钱): Lucky money given to children and unmarried adults.
  • 1. Symbolizing good luck and blessings (象征好运和祝福): Warding off evil spirits.
  • 2. Presented by elders (由长辈赠送): A gesture of care and affection.
• D. Staying Up Late (守岁): Symbolizing warding off evil spirits and wishing for longevity.
  • 1. Playing games (玩游戏): Mahjong, cards, or other traditional games.
  • 2. Chatting and catching up (聊天和叙旧): Spending quality time with family.
• E. Fireworks and Firecrackers (燃放烟花爆竹): Scaring away evil spirits and celebrating the New Year.
  • 1. Loud noises and bright colors (喧闹的声音和鲜艳的色彩): Creating a festive atmosphere.
  • 2. Strict regulations in some cities (一些城市有严格的规定): Due to safety concerns and pollution.

III. New Year's Day and Subsequent Days (新年及后续几天)

• A. Visiting Relatives and Friends (拜年): Extending New Year greetings.
  • 1. Giving gifts (送礼物): Fruit, snacks, or other small presents.
  • 2. Saying "Happy New Year" (新年快乐): Expressing good wishes.
  • 3. Receiving red envelopes (收红包): Children often receive red envelopes.
• B. Temple Fairs (庙会): Traditional outdoor festivals.
  • 1. Food stalls (小吃摊位): Selling a variety of local delicacies.
  • 2. Performances (表演): Traditional dances, acrobatic shows, and opera.
  • 3. Games and activities (游戏和活动): Carnival games and traditional crafts.
• C. Lion and Dragon Dances (舞狮舞龙): Traditional performances symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
• D. Lantern Festival (元宵节): Marking the end of the Spring Festival celebrations (15th day of the Lunar New Year).
  • 1. Lantern Displays (灯笼展览): Elaborate and colorful lanterns.
  • 2. Eating Tangyuan (吃汤圆): Sweet glutinous rice balls.
  • 3. Solving Lantern Riddles (猜灯谜): A traditional game.

IV. Key Concepts & Values

• A. Family Reunion (家庭团聚): The most important value of the Spring Festival.
• B. Respect for Elders (尊敬长辈): Honoring and caring for elderly family members.
• C. Good Fortune and Prosperity (好运和繁荣): Wishing for a prosperous New Year.
• D. New Beginnings (新的开始): A time to reflect and start anew.
• E. Cultural Heritage (文化遗产): Preserving and celebrating Chinese traditions.