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节文化冷知识解析 Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is one of the most important festivals for Chinese people. It is usually celebrated in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar. As part of Chinese culture, Spring Festival has a lot of unique customs and traditions, including red envelopes, fireworks, couplets, dragon dances, and so on. In this article, we’ll delve into some lesser-known facts about Spring Festival.
1. The origin of Spring Festival can be traced back to ancient times. Spring Festival has a history of more than 4,000 years. It originated from the worship of gods and ancestors in ancient China. People believed that at the end of a year, the gods and ancestors would return to earth to check on their descendants. To welcome them, people would offer sacrifices and hold ceremonies. Over time, these customs evolved into Spring Festival.
2. The Chinese zodiac animals determine the lucky or unlucky year ahead. The Chinese zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao, is a 12-year cycle. Each year is represented by an animal. The order of the animals in the cycle is rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. According to Chinese folklore, the animal that rules the year will determine the luck of people born in that year. For example, 2021 is the year of the Ox, which is associated with hard work, honesty, and positivity.
3. Red underwear is a popular gift during Spring Festival. One tradition during Spring Festival is to wear red clothing, which is considered auspicious for attracting good luck and warding off evil spirits. It’s not uncommon to see people wearing red hats, scarves, and gloves. However, red underwear is also a popular gift, especially for the elderly. The idea is that wearing red underwear can bring vitality and energy to the body.
4. Eating dumplings on New Year’s Eve symbolizes reunion. Dumplings, or jiaozi in Chinese, are a traditional food eaten during Spring Festival. They are made by wrapping a filling of meat and vegetables in a thin dough wrapper and then boiling or steaming them. On New Year’s Eve, families get together to make dumplings, which symbolizes reunion and a fresh start for the new year.
5. The Lantern Festival marks the end of Spring Festival. The 15th day of the first lunar month is called the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Spring Festival. On this day, people hang colorful lanterns, eat tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), and watch lion and dragon dances. The Lantern Festival has a history of more than 2,000 years and is celebrated not only in China but also in other Asian countries. In conclusion, Spring Festival is not only a time of celebration and joy but also a reflection of Chinese culture and history. Understanding the customs and traditions of Spring Festival can help people appreciate the values and beliefs of Chinese people. We hope this article has provided some interesting and informative insights into the cultural significance of Spring Festival.