How to Celebrate the 15 Days of Chinese New Year 如何慶祝中國農(nóng)歷新年的15天

陳佳

Chinese New Year traditions change from region to region in China. While some traditions have fallen victim to modern times， many are still celebrated. Dont just watch the fireworks and lion dances； youll get more out of the celebration once you understand some of the 15 days of Chinese New Year traditions！

中國新年的傳統(tǒng)在中國不同的地區(qū)也各不相同。雖然有些傳統(tǒng)已經(jīng)成為現(xiàn)代的犧牲品，但有一些仍舊保留了下來。不要光顧著看煙火和舞獅，當(dāng)你了解了中國新年的15天的傳統(tǒng)，你就會收獲更多！

★ Chinese New Years Eve除夕夜

The eve of Chinese New Year is typically celebrated with a family dinner of dumplings—the dumplings symbolize1 wealth because of their shape. Southern Chinese celebrate by preparing a special cake known as niangao. After dinner， many groups go to temples to pray in the new year. Some families now stay at home and do a countdown2. Firecrackers and spectacular fireworks displays3—meant to frighten away evil spirits—can be seen in Beijing and many other cities on the eve of Chinese New Year.

除夕夜通常是同家人一起吃餃子慶?！溩右驗樗鼈兊男螤疃笳髦敻弧Ｔ谥袊戏綍檫^年特別準(zhǔn)備年糕慶祝。晚餐后，許多人會到寺廟為新的一年祈福。如今也有一些家庭留在家里等候新年的倒計時。鞭炮和壯觀的煙花表演意在辟邪——這在北京和許多其他城市的除夕夜都能看到。

★ Day 1 of Chinese New Year 正月初一

Many cities across the world consider the first two days of Chinese New Year to be a public holiday； businesses and offices are usually closed. Parades4 and lion dances are held in the streets while fireworks fill the sky. Younger people receive money， sweets， and small gifts in red envelopes from their elders. To bring good fortune， Buddhists5 typically refrain6 from eating meat or killing animals on the first day of Chinese New Year.

世界上許多城市都把中國春節(jié)的前兩天定為公共假日，通常停止商業(yè)活動和工作。街頭會舉行游行和舞獅，同時伴著滿天的煙火。年輕人從他們的長輩那里收到包在紅包里的壓歲錢、糖果和小禮物。為了帶來好運，佛教徒通常在農(nóng)歷新年的第一天里不吃肉或殺生。

★ Day 2 of Chinese New Year 正月初二

The second day of Chinese New Year is considered the official beginning of the new year as well as Cai Shen the God of Wealths birthday （Southern Chinese celebrate it on the fifth day of Chinese New Year）. Some traditionalists7 consider this day to be important for dogs and reward them with treats！Day two is also the day to visit friends and family members because the following day is considered a bad day for visiting.

農(nóng)歷新年的第二天被認(rèn)為是“開年”，同時也是財神，即財富之神的生日（中國南方為正月初五）。一些傳統(tǒng)人士認(rèn)為這一天對狗很重要并且要獎勵它們！正月初二也是拜訪親友的日子，因為接下來的一天被認(rèn)為不適宜出門拜年。

★ Day 3 of Chinese New Year正月初三

In direct contrast with the first two days of Chinese New Year， day three is considered a bad day to visit friends and family； superstitious8 followers choose to remain at home or go to have their fortunes told at a temple dedicated9 to the God of Wealth.

與農(nóng)歷新年的前兩天形成鮮明對比，人們認(rèn)為正月初三不適宜拜訪親友；迷信的人選擇留在家里，或者去供奉財神的廟里算命。

★ Day 4 of Chinese New Year 正月初四

Business returns to normal on the fourth day in many places. Corporations may hold department dinners or organize social events for their employees.

許多地方的生意在正月初四恢復(fù)正常。公司可能在這天為員工舉辦部門晚宴或組織社交活動。

★ Day 5 of Chinese New Year 正月初五

Dumplings are eaten in mainland China on day five. Some groups throw firecrackers to hopefully bring blessings from Guan Yu—a famous Chinese general considered to be the Taoist God of War.

在中國大陸正月初五吃餃子。一些團體會燃放鞭炮祭關(guān)公（中國著名的武將）。關(guān)公被認(rèn)為是道教的武神。

★ Day 6 of Chinese New Year 正月初六

More offices reopen and business resumes in places that were closed to observe the first five days of Chinese New Year as a public holiday. Again， more firecrackers are thrown to keep away malicious10 spirits who may try to make trouble for business in the New Year.

更多因慶祝中國新年前五天的公共假期而放假的單位和關(guān)閉的地方重新開放和恢復(fù)營業(yè)。此外，人們會炸響更多的鞭炮以趕走那些可能會在新年影響生意的窮鬼。

★ Day 7 of Chinese New Year 正月初七

Day seven is considered by many to be the day that everyone grows one year older. Buddhists do not eat meat， and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia consume raw-fish salad to ensure prosperity.

正月初七被認(rèn)為是每個人都長大一歲的一天。佛教徒不吃肉。東南亞的華人社區(qū)撈魚生寓意步步高升。

★ Day 8 of Chinese New Year 正月初八

The eighth day of Chinese New Year is the eve of the Jade Emperors birthday； special family dinners are held to honor Yu Huang， the Ruler of Heaven. Many employers will thank their employees with free food.

正月初八是玉皇大帝生日的前夕，人們會以特殊的家庭晚宴供奉天庭的統(tǒng)治者玉皇大帝。許多雇主會用免費的食物感謝員工。

★ Day 9 of Chinese New Year 正月初九

The birthday of the Jade Emperor is considered extra important by the Hokkien Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Prayers are offered and incense11 sticks are lit. Sugarcane12 is considered a traditional offering to the deity13.

玉皇大帝的生日對于在馬來西亞和新加坡的福建人來說非常重要，他們會誦經(jīng)和燃香。人們把甘蔗作為供奉給神的傳統(tǒng)供品。

★ Day 10 of Chinese New Year 正月初十

Appreciation and offerings continue to be offered to the Jade Emperor on day 10.

人們在正月初十會繼續(xù)向玉皇大帝奉上酬謝和供品。

★ Day 11～12 of Chinese New Year 正月十一、十二

Aside from family dinners and time with friends， these days are relatively quiet on Chinese New Year.

除了家庭聚餐和拜訪朋友以外，這兩天在中國的新年里相對平靜。

★ Day 13 of Chinese New Year 正月十三

After a gluttonous14 twelve days of eating， everyone converts to vegetarianism15 on the thirteenth day in hopes to settle weary digestive16 systems！Day 13 is mostly dedicated to Guan Yu， the God of War. Although everyone is long since back to work， businesses will offer special thanks to the famous general.

在暴飲暴食的十二天后，每個人在正月十三都轉(zhuǎn)為食素讓疲憊的消化系統(tǒng)休息一下！正月十三拜關(guān)公。盡管人們早就回來工作了，但商家們還是會特別拜一拜這位著名的武將。

★ Day 14 of Chinese New Year 正月十四

Day 14 is spent resting and preparing for the Lantern Festival—the final Chinese New Year blowout17.

正月十四休息并為春節(jié)的最后一天歡慶元宵節(jié)做準(zhǔn)備。

★ Day 15 of Chinese New Year 正月十五

The last of the 15 days of Chinese New Year brings another round of fireworks， stage shows， and celebrations. Not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival. On Lantern Festival， large crowds walk the streets with candles and lanterns to bring peace and fortune. After a little over two weeks of celebrations， what is considered the largest of festivals in Asia will close.

中國新年15天的最后一天又是新一輪的煙花、舞臺表演和慶祝活動。不要把正月十五元宵節(jié)同中秋節(jié)弄混淆。在元宵節(jié)，人群舉著蠟燭和燈籠走在街上寓意帶來和平和好運。經(jīng)過兩周多的慶祝，亞洲最大的節(jié)日即將結(jié)束。

Notes：

1. symbolize vt. 象征

2. countdown n. 倒數(shù)計秒

3. display v. 炫耀；顯示

4. parades n. 游行

5. Buddhist n. 佛教徒

6. refrain vi. 節(jié)制，克制；避免

7. traditionalist n. 傳統(tǒng)主義者；因循守舊者 8. superstitious adj. 迷信的

9. dedicated adj. 專用的

10. malicious adj. 惡意的；蓄意的

11. incense n. 香

12. sugarcane n. 甘蔗

13. deity n. 神；神性

14. gluttonous adj. 貪吃的，暴食的

15. vegetarianism n. 素食主義

16. digestive adj. 消化的

17. blowout n. [俚]盛宴；歡鬧