《英语理解制作一张关于春节的思维导图》

Central Idea: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

I. Name & Origin

• A. Different Names:
  • Spring Festival (most common in English)
  • Lunar New Year (reflects lunar calendar usage)
  • Chinese New Year (emphasizes cultural origin)
• B. Origin & History:
  • Ancient agricultural society: celebrating the end of winter and beginning of spring.
  • Legend of Nian: a mythical beast that was scared away by loud noises, red color, and fire.
  • Evolved over thousands of years: incorporating various customs and traditions.
• C. Significance:
  • Most important traditional festival in China.
  • Time for family reunion and celebration.
  • Symbolizes new beginnings and hope for a prosperous year.

II. Date & Duration

• A. Lunar Calendar:
  • Based on the lunisolar calendar.
  • Falls between January 21st and February 20th.
• B. Duration:
  • Officially 7-day public holiday in mainland China.
  • Traditionally celebrated for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.
• C. 12-Year Cycle:
  • Each year associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig).
  • Each animal has its own symbolic meaning and is believed to influence people born in that year.

III. Preparations (Preparation Activities)

• A. Spring Cleaning (大扫除):
  • Thorough cleaning of the house to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune.
  • A symbolic act of removing the old and welcoming the new.
• B. Decoration (装饰):
  • Red lanterns (红灯笼): symbolize prosperity and good luck.
  • Paper cuttings (剪纸): often depict auspicious symbols and animals.
  • Spring couplets (春联): placed on door frames, expressing good wishes and blessings.
  • Upside-down "Fu" character (倒福): symbolizes good fortune arriving.
• C. Shopping (购物):
  • Buying new clothes: symbolizes a fresh start.
  • Purchasing gifts for family and friends: strengthens relationships.
  • Stocking up on food and ingredients for festive meals.
• D. Travel (旅行):
  • "Chunyun" (春运): the largest annual human migration as people travel home to be with their families.
  • Significant strain on transportation systems.
• E. Red Envelopes (红包):
  • Preparing red envelopes filled with money to give to children and unmarried adults.
  • Symbolizes good luck and blessings for the coming year.

IV. Traditions & Customs (Celebration Activities)

• A. Reunion Dinner (年夜饭):
  • Most important meal of the year.
  • Family members travel from far and wide to gather together.
  • Dishes often have symbolic meanings, e.g., fish (余 – yú) for abundance, dumplings (饺子 – jiǎozi) for wealth, spring rolls (春卷 – chūnjuǎn) for wealth.
• B. Giving Red Envelopes (发红包):
  • Giving red envelopes (红包) to children and unmarried adults.
  • Increasingly digital red envelopes are sent through mobile payment apps.
• C. Fireworks & Firecrackers (烟花爆竹):
  • Loud noises to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.
  • Strict regulations in many cities due to safety concerns.
• D. Lion Dance & Dragon Dance (舞狮舞龙):
  • Traditional performances performed during street parades and celebrations.
  • Symbolize good luck, power, and prosperity.
• E. Visiting Relatives & Friends (拜年):
  • Visiting relatives and friends to exchange greetings and blessings.
  • Offering gifts and sharing meals.
• F. Watching Spring Festival Gala (春晚):
  • A highly popular televised variety show broadcast on CCTV on New Year's Eve.
  • Features music, dance, comedy, and drama performances.
• G. Temple Fairs (庙会):
  • Traditional fairs held in temples, featuring food stalls, games, and performances.
• H. Lantern Festival (元宵节):
  • Marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
  • People carry lanterns, solve riddles written on lanterns, and eat tangyuan (汤圆) - sweet glutinous rice balls.

V. Food

• A. Dumplings (饺子 - Jiǎozi):
  • Symbolize wealth because their shape resembles ancient Chinese money.
  • Traditionally eaten in northern China, especially on New Year's Eve.
• B. Spring Rolls (春卷 - Chūnjuǎn):
  • Symbolize wealth because their shape resembles gold bars.
  • A popular dish in southern China.
• C. Fish (鱼 - Yú):
  • Symbolizes abundance and surplus because the Chinese word for fish (鱼 – yú) sounds like the word for "surplus" (余 – yú).
  • Often served whole, symbolizing completeness and unity.
• D. Nian Gao (年糕):
  • A glutinous rice cake that symbolizes progress and growth in the coming year.
  • The name sounds like "higher year" (年高 – nián gāo).
• E. Tangerines and Oranges (橘子&橙子 – Júzi & Chéngzi):
  • Symbolize good fortune and wealth.
  • The round shape represents completeness and unity.
• F. Tangyuan (汤圆):
  • Sweet glutinous rice balls eaten during the Lantern Festival.
  • Symbolize family unity and togetherness.

VI. Superstitions & Taboos

• A. Cleaning: Avoid sweeping or taking out the trash on the first day of the New Year, as it is believed to sweep away good luck.
• B. Borrowing/Lending Money: Avoid borrowing or lending money during the New Year period, as it is believed to bring bad luck financially.
• C. Sharp Objects: Avoid using sharp objects like knives or scissors, as they are believed to cut off good fortune.
• D. Negative Words: Avoid using negative words or phrases like "death," "illness," or "failure."
• E. Crying: Children should not cry during the New Year period, as it is believed to bring bad luck for the entire year.
• F. Breaking Objects: Avoid breaking objects, as it is believed to bring bad luck. If something is broken, it should be wrapped in red paper until the fifth day of the New Year.

VII. Modern Adaptations & Global Impact

• A. Online Celebrations: Increased use of online platforms for connecting with family and friends who are far away. Virtual red envelopes and online games.
• B. Tourism: The Spring Festival holiday is a peak season for tourism, both domestically and internationally.
• C. Cultural Exchange: The Spring Festival is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Increasingly recognized and celebrated by non-Chinese communities.
• D. Economic Impact: Significant impact on retail, transportation, and tourism industries.
• E. Blend of Tradition & Modernity: Balancing traditional customs with modern lifestyles.