春节

春节是中国的传统节日，再过几天中华民族最大的节日春节就快到啦，如果身边有在中国过春节的外国朋友，我们要如何用英语向他们介绍春节呢?

Whatdoestheholidaymean?

这个节日有什么含义吗?

Theterm"passyear"isusedfortheSpringFestival(ChineseNewYear).Theword"Year"inChinesecharactersusedtomeanahorriblebeast.Tocombatthebeast,theChinesehang"goodluck"wishesonredpaperonthedoorandusefireworksinthebeliefthatthebeastfearsredandfire.ThistraditioninmanywaysresembletheWesternbeliefofusinggarlicandcrossestofightvampires.

中文中“过年”这个词组用以表示对春节(中国新年)的庆祝。“年”这个字在中文里是一种恐怖的怪兽。因为“年”害怕红色和火，所以中国人会在门上悬挂“春联”写上美好祝福，并放鞭炮来赶跑它。这个传统有点类似西方人用大蒜和十字架吓跑吸血鬼的传统。

WhyNewYearissospecial?

为什么新年那么特别呢?

TheChinesezodiacfeatures12animalsinthesequenceofRat,Ox,Tiger,Rabbit,Dragon,Snake,Horse,Sheep,Monkey,Rooster,Dog,andPig.ThisyearistheyearofTiger.Eachanimalrepresentsadifferent"personality".Accordingtolegend,peopleheldaconferencewithalltheanimals,informingthemthattheywouldpickthe12torepresentthezodiac.However,inspiteofbeingfast,thecatwasnotpickedasitsthen-closefriend,therat,didnotwakeit.Thisactionsparkedoffarivalrythatcontinuestillthisday.