Category: Chinese traditional culture

Staying Up Late Into the New Year 熬年守岁

守岁,就是在旧年的最后一天夜里不睡觉,熬夜迎接新一年的到来的习俗,也叫除夕守岁,俗名“熬年”。探究这个习俗的来历,在民间流传着一个有趣的故事: On the eve of Chinese New Year, Chinese people have a tradition to stay up into the wee hours

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Qingming Festival 清明节

清明节是中国重要的传统节日之一,至今仍是中华民族包括海外华人的重要节日之一。清明节古时也称三月节,已有两千多年历史。公历4月5日前后为清明节,为二十四节气之一。 As one of important traditional festivals in China, Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) is an important festival for Chinese

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Customs of Qingming Festival 清明节习俗

清明节的习俗是丰富有趣的,除了讲究禁火、扫墓,还有踏青、荡秋千、蹴鞠、打马球、插柳等一系列风俗体育活动。相传这是因为清明节要寒食禁火,为了防止寒食冷餐伤身,所以大家来参加一些体育活动,以锻炼身体。因此,这个节日中既有祭扫新坟生别死离的悲酸泪,又有踏青游玩的欢笑声,是一个富有特色的节日。 The various customs of Qingming Festival are very interesting. In addition to fire prohibition and tomb sweeping, there are

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Planting Willow Custom of Qingming Festival 清明节插柳的风俗

据说,清明节插柳的风俗是为了纪念“教民稼穑”的农事祖师神农氏的。有的地方,人们把柳枝插在屋檐下,以预报天气,古谚有“柳条青,雨蒙蒙;柳条干,晴了天”的说法。黄巢起义时规定,以“清明为期,戴柳为号”。起义失败后,戴柳的习俗渐被淘汰,只有插柳盛行不衰。杨柳有强大的生命力,俗话说:“有心栽花花不发,无心插柳柳成荫。”柳条插土就活,插到哪里,活到哪里,年年插柳,处处成荫。 Planting willow branches was practiced among Ancient Chinese to commemorate Shen Nong, the originator of farming who taught people

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A Girl Named Yuan Xiao, the Legend of the Lantern Festival 传说故事——元宵姑娘

这一则传说与吃元宵的习俗有关:相传汉武帝有个宠臣名叫东方朔,他善良又风趣。有一年冬天,下了几天大雪,东方朔就到御花园去给武帝折梅花。刚进园门,就发现有个宫女泪流满面准备投井。东方朔慌忙上前搭救,并问明她要自杀的原因。原来,这个宫女名叫元宵,家里还有双亲及一个妹妹,自从她进宫以后,就再也无缘和家人见面,每年到了腊尽春来的时节,就比平常更加的思念家人。觉得不能在双亲跟前尽孝,不如一死了之。东方朔听了她的遭遇,深感同情,就向她保证,一定设法让她和家人团聚。 This legend is associated with the custom of eating Yuanxiao, or sweet dumplings, during the Yuanxiao Festival. During the

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A Variety of Food During the Qixi Festival—Fried Thin Pastry 七夕花样美食——巧果

农历七月初七,传说七夕是牛郎织女鹊桥相会的日子,这些年也逐渐转变成“中国情人节”。事实上,在古代,七夕节的内涵要广泛很多。七夕节俗称“女儿节”,在这天少女们会进行各种乞巧活动。因为织女是一个美丽聪明、心灵手巧的仙女,凡间的少女便在这天向她乞求智慧和巧艺,求赐美满姻缘,称为“乞巧”。 On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, legend has it that this day is the time when

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