美国人介绍春节

1、Chinese New YearHistorical BackgroundBy Christopher Lin新年春節Background Information Centuries old event. Most Significant holiday. Largest human migration. A 15 day long celebration starting from 1/1 (Sunday) of the Lunar Calendar (農曆新年農曆新年). Ends on the 15th day, known as the Lantern Festival (元宵節元宵節

2、)The Zodiac Similar to the Western Zodiac of the 12 astrological signs. 12 Zodiac animals: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar. Coming year：Boar 豬豬 (Joo or “D”)十二生肖十二生肖鼠鼠 牛牛 虎虎 兔兔 龍龍 蛇蛇馬馬 羊羊 猴猴 雞雞 狗狗 豬豬Public Holidays 7 days in China 5 days in Taiwan 3 days

3、 in Hong Kong and Macau 2 days in Malaysia and SingaporePurpose A time of reunion with family. Reunion dinner on New Years Eve (除夕除夕 Chu shi) This Saturday Red envelopes (紅包紅包 “Hong bao” or “Ang Pao”) containing money (壓歲錢壓歲錢 Ya shui chian)Superstitions and Beliefs Stay up all night on New Years Eve

4、.It is considered very unlucky to: Sweep the floor on the 1st five days of New Year Talk of the deceased Getting a hair cut 剪髮剪髮 vs 剪發剪發 (to cut your fortune) Buying books 書書 vs 輸輸 (to lose) Break dishes 碎碎 vs 歲歲 (歲歲平安歲歲平安 sui sui ping an)The Story of Nien A ferocious beast called Nien Comes out from the sea every year to eat people The people drove Nien away with Red, Fire and Noises. Greeting: Congratulations 恭喜恭喜 (Gong-shi), 過年過年 (Guo-Nien )年“Visiting” GiftWhy?Night MarketNight MarketNight Mar