《中国传统节日思维导图英语》
Central Idea: Chinese Traditional Festivals
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I. General Overview
- A. Definition: Traditional holidays celebrated in China based on the lunar calendar or historical events.
- B. Significance: Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, reflecting values, beliefs, and traditions. Important for family reunions and cultural preservation.
- C. Characteristics: Often involve specific foods, rituals, and customs passed down through generations.
- D. Influence: Spread to other East Asian countries and continue to evolve with modern times.
- E. Examples: Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, etc.
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II. Spring Festival (春节 - Chūn Jié) / Chinese New Year
- A. Timing: First day of the lunar year (late January to mid-February).
- B. Duration: Typically celebrated for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
- C. Customs:
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- Family Reunion: The most important aspect; travel to be with family (Chunyun - 春运 - Spring Festival travel season).
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- Red Envelopes (红包 - Hóngbāo): Giving money in red envelopes to children and unmarried adults.
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- Decorations: Red lanterns, Spring Festival couplets (春联 - Chūnlián), paper cuttings (剪纸 - Jiǎnzhǐ).
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- Fireworks and Firecrackers (烟花爆竹 - Yānhuā bàozhú): Used to ward off evil spirits. Increasingly restricted due to safety concerns.
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- Temple Fairs (庙会 - Miàohuì): Traditional markets with performances, food, and crafts.
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- Cleaning: Thoroughly cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck.
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- D. Food:
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- Dumplings (饺子 - Jiǎozi): Symbolize wealth due to their shape resembling ancient Chinese currency.
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- Spring Rolls (春卷 - Chūnjuǎn): Golden color represents wealth.
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- Nian Gao (年糕 - Niángāo): Sticky rice cake, symbolizing progress and growth.
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- Fish (鱼 - Yú): Represents surplus and abundance.
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- E. Greetings: "Happy New Year" (新年快乐 - Xīnnián kuàilè) or "Wishing you good fortune" (恭喜发财 - Gōngxǐ fācái).
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III. Lantern Festival (元宵节 - Yuánxiāo Jié)
- A. Timing: 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of Spring Festival celebrations.
- B. Customs:
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- Lanterns (灯笼 - Dēnglóng): Displaying and carrying lanterns of various shapes and sizes.
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- Lantern Riddles (猜灯谜 - Cāi dēngmí): Solving riddles written on lanterns.
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- Lion and Dragon Dances (舞龙舞狮 - Wǔ lóng wǔ shī): Traditional performances.
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- Eating Tangyuan (汤圆 - Tāngyuán) / Yuanxiao (元宵): Sweet rice balls filled with sesame paste, symbolizing family unity.
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- C. Significance: Celebrates family reunion and community harmony.
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IV. Tomb Sweeping Day (清明节 - Qīngmíng Jié) / Qingming Festival
- A. Timing: Around April 4th or 5th each year, coinciding with the solar term Qingming.
- B. Significance: A day to honor ancestors and deceased family members.
- C. Customs:
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- Tomb Sweeping (扫墓 - Sǎomù): Cleaning and tidying up ancestral graves.
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- Offering Food and Drinks: Placing food, drinks, and other offerings at the graves.
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- Burning Incense and Paper Money (烧香烧纸 - Shāo xiāng shāo zhǐ): To provide for the ancestors in the afterlife.
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- Willow Branches (柳枝 - Liǔzhī): Carrying willow branches, believed to ward off evil spirits.
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- Kite Flying (放风筝 - Fàng fēngzhēng): A recreational activity, sometimes kites are cut loose to carry away bad luck.
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- D. Food:
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- Qingtuan (青团 - Qīngtuán): Green glutinous rice balls filled with sweet bean paste.
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V. Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 - Duānwǔ Jié)
- A. Timing: 5th day of the 5th lunar month (usually in June).
- B. Origin: Commemorates the death of Qu Yuan (屈原), a patriotic poet who drowned himself in a river.
- C. Customs:
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- Dragon Boat Races (赛龙舟 - Sài lóngzhōu): Teams race in long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads.
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- Eating Zongzi (粽子 - Zòngzi): Sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with various ingredients.
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- Hanging Calamus and Mugwort (挂菖蒲艾草 - Guà chāngpú àicǎo): Herbs believed to ward off evil spirits and diseases.
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- Drinking Realgar Wine (喝雄黄酒 - Hē xiónghuángjiǔ): A type of rice wine believed to have medicinal properties. Traditionally used, but now less common due to health concerns.
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- Wearing Perfume Pouches (佩戴香囊 - Pèidài xiāngnáng): Small bags filled with fragrant herbs.
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- D. Symbolism: Patriotism, health, and protection from evil.
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VI. Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 - Zhōngqiū Jié) / Moon Festival
- A. Timing: 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually in September or October).
- B. Significance: A harvest festival and a time for family reunion.
- C. Customs:
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- Moon Viewing (赏月 - Shǎng yuè): Admiring the full moon, which symbolizes family reunion and completeness.
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- Eating Mooncakes (月饼 - Yuèbǐng): Round pastries filled with sweet or savory fillings.
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- Family Gatherings: Spending time with family, sharing meals, and exchanging gifts.
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- Legends: Stories about the Moon Goddess Chang'e (嫦娥) and the Jade Rabbit (玉兔).
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- D. Food:
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- Mooncakes (月饼 - Yuèbǐng): The most iconic food, various fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and salted egg yolks.
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VII. Double Ninth Festival (重阳节 - Chóngyáng Jié) / Senior Citizens' Day
- A. Timing: 9th day of the 9th lunar month.
- B. Significance: A day to honor the elderly and enjoy outdoor activities.
- C. Customs:
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- Hiking (登高 - Dēnggāo): Climbing mountains or high places to ward off misfortune.
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- Chrysanthemum Viewing (赏菊 - Shǎng jú): Admiring chrysanthemums, which are in full bloom during this season.
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- Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine (喝菊花酒 - Hē júhuājiǔ): Believed to have medicinal properties and promote longevity.
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- Wearing Cornel (佩戴茱萸 - Pèidài zhūyú): A fragrant plant believed to ward off evil spirits.
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- Visiting Elderly Relatives: Showing respect and care for elderly family members.
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VIII. Others
- A. Laba Festival (腊八节 - Làbā Jié): Eating Laba porridge (腊八粥 - Làbā zhōu) to commemorate the Buddha's enlightenment.
- B. Winter Solstice (冬至 - Dōngzhì): Eating dumplings or tangyuan to celebrate the return of longer days.
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IX. Challenges & Modernization
- A. Urbanization: Fewer opportunities for traditional celebrations in urban areas.
- B. Changing Lifestyles: Modern lifestyles and work schedules make it difficult to maintain traditional customs.
- C. Commercialization: Over-commercialization of festivals, leading to a loss of cultural significance.
- D. Preservation Efforts: Efforts to preserve and promote traditional festivals through education, cultural events, and government initiatives.
- E. Adaptation: Adapting traditional customs to modern contexts while maintaining their cultural essence.
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X. Vocabulary
- A. Lunar Calendar: 农历 (Nónglì)
- B. Traditional: 传统的 (Chuántǒng de)
- C. Customs: 习俗 (Xísú)
- D. Rituals: 仪式 (Yíshì)
- E. Family Reunion: 家庭团聚 (Jiātíng tuánjù)
- F. Celebration: 庆祝 (Qìngzhù)
- G. Holiday: 节日 (Jiérì)
- H. Culture: 文化 (Wénhuà)
- I. Legend: 传说 (Chuánshuō)
- J. Symbolism: 象征意义 (Xiàngzhēng yìyì)
This mind map provides a structured overview of Chinese traditional festivals in English, covering their timing, customs, food, significance, and modern challenges. The vocabulary section offers relevant Chinese terms with pinyin.