Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival of the Chi- nese nation. During the festival, people cast out the old and usher in the new. They worship gods and ancestors, pray for good fortune, and gather with family and friends for celebra- tions. The Spring Festival has a long history. Originating in primitive beliefs and the worship of nature in ancient China, it evolved from the practices of offering sacrifices and praying for good harvests. The ancient Chinese believed that spring is the time when everything rejuvenates and a new year begins. A good start to a new year was of great significance in an agrari- an society. Today as before, people celebrate the first day of the first lunar month as the Spring Festival with festive activities,which continue until the 15th of the month.
Family reunions are the most important part of the Spring Festival. As the festival approaches, every household posts a new spring couplet on the sides of their door. The couplet, a unique literary form consisting of an upper line (on the right side), a lower line (on the left side), and a horizontal scroll, expresses people's good wishes for the new year. People also post the Chinese character "Fu" (good fortune), Nianhua (Spring Festival picture) and Menshen (guardians of doors and gates) on their doors, walls, and lintels, and hang red lanterns in the courtyard or at the door, to create a festive atmosphere and express their desire for a happy life. On the eve of the Spring Festival, families will have a grand reunion dinner. During the festival, people wear new clothes, visit relatives and friends, and exchange greetings and good wishes. Setting off firecrack- ers and performing dragon and lion dances are also traditional customs to pray for harvests and good luck. On the 15th of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival), people eat glutinous rice balls and participate in various activities to complete the cele- brations of the Spring Festival.
As an important Chinese tradition, celebrating the Spring Festival carries profound cultural meanings and showcases the Chinese people's rich and colorful social and cultural life. With its joyful atmosphere and unique cultural charm, the festival is now celebrated in almost 200 countries and is gaining popularity worldwide as a happy event shared by all.
春节
春节即中国农历新年，是中华民族最隆重的传统节日，承载着除旧布新、拜神祭祖、祈福辟邪、亲朋团圆、欢庆娱乐等功能。春节历史悠久，起源于中国远古时期人们的原始信仰和自然崇拜，由祭祀祈年活动演变而来。中国古人认为，春回大地、万象更新，春天开启新的年岁轮回，这在农耕社会具有重要意义。今天，人们把农历正月初一定为春节，节庆活动一直延续到农历正月十五。
阖家团圆、共聚一堂，是春节的重要内涵。在春节将近时，家家户户都在大门两边贴上崭新的春联，以上联、下联、横批的独特文学形式，表达人们对新一年的美好愿望。人们还在屋门、墙壁、门楣等处贴上象征好运的"福"字， 张贴驱邪魔、保平安的年画和门神，并在庭院或房屋门口挂起大红灯笼，烘托隆重热烈的节庆气氛，寄托对幸福生活的期待。春节的前一天即除夕，家家户户团聚享用丰盛的年夜饭。春节期间，人们要穿上新衣，走亲访友，问候拜年，彼此表达美好祝愿。燃放爆竹、舞龙舞狮也是春节的节庆习俗，用来祈求风调雨顺、事事如意。到了正月十五元宵节， 人们还会吃元宵，举行游艺活动，完成春节的迎春仪式。
春节是中华传统文化的重要组成部分，承载着博大精深的中华文化底蕴，展现着中国人丰富多彩的社会文化生活。当前，春节已经走进全球近200个国家，世界各地的春节年味越来越浓。春节以欢乐祥和的气氛和独特的文化魅力，逐渐成为世界人民共同的节日。
