The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the grandest and most distinctive traditional festivals in China.
春节即农历新年，是中国民间最隆重最富有特色的传统节日之一。
Representing the beginning of one year, the“Spring” is a season full of vitality and revival, which is seen as a symbol of life and hope in traditional Chinese culture. The "Festival" means a specific and significant day that is celebrated with special activities. Therefore, "Spring Festival" is literally interpreted as a festival of spring, or a festival to celebrate the arrival of spring. It also reflects the importance of the Spring Festival in the hearts of the Chinese people, which is not only an ordinary festival, but also a special moment symbolizing renewal, hope and reunion.
“春”代表春天，象征着一年的开始，生机勃勃，万物复苏。在中国传统文化中，春天被视为生命和希望的象征。“节”则意味着节日，即特定的、有重要意义的日子，人们会进行特殊的庆祝活动。因此，“春节”从字面意义上解释，就是春天的节日，或者说是庆祝春天到来的节日。这也反映了春节在中国人心中的重要地位，它不仅仅是一个普通的节日，更是一个象征着新生、希望和团圆的特殊时刻。
The Spring Festival has colorful customs. For example, on the Lunar New Year's Eve, the whole family will get together and have a big dinner, which varies from place to place. Children are keen on hanging lanterns, setting off firecrackers and receiving red envelopes. Adults will stick spring couplets, visit relatives and friends, pay New Year greetings and so on, to express blessings and auspiciousness. During the Spring Festival, some places also have traditional performances such as dragon and lion dances, drumming and beating, which make people feel the thick flavor of the New Year and happiness. These traditional customs occupy an important position in people's hearts and also add a strong atmosphere to the festival.
春节有着丰富多彩的风俗。例如在除夕夜里，全家人会团聚在一起吃顿丰盛的年夜饭。小孩子们热衷于挂灯笼、放鞭炮、接收红包。大人们则贴春联、走亲访友、拜年等，表达祝福和吉利。春节期间，有些地方还有舞龙舞狮、打鼓击鼓等传统表演活动，让人们感受到浓浓的年味和喜庆。这些传统风俗在人们心中占据着重要的地位，也为节日增添了浓郁的氛围。
As China's international influence continues to rise, the Spring Festival, an important element of Chinese culture, is also celebrated in some countries and regions around the world. From Egypt in Africa to Brazil in South America, from the Empire State Building in New York to the Sydney Opera House, the Spring Festival has set off a "Chinese wind" all over the world. Even if you are in a foreign land, you can also see Chinese red there and experience the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year. In the year 2023 just past, the Chinese Spring Festival was recognized as a United Nations holiday at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
随着中国国际影响力的不断提升，作为中华文化重要元素的春节也在世界范围内的一些国家和地区得到庆祝。从非洲埃及到南美洲巴西，从纽约帝国大厦到悉尼歌剧院，春节在世界各地掀起了“中国风”，即使身处异乡，也能于异域看到中国红，感受中国年的氛围。在刚刚过去的2023年里，中国春节在第78届联合国大会上更是被确定为联合国假日。
As the most important holiday in China, rich in history, the Spring Festival carried a deep historical and cultural foundation in the inheritance and development, which is a symbol of Chinese spirit and culture as well as the collective return of every Chinese soul.
“百节年为首，四季春为先”，春节历史悠久，在传承发展中承载了丰厚的历史文化底蕴，是中国精神文化的符号，是每个中国人心灵的集体回归。
Author: Ding Songbin
Date: Feb 6, 2024
Photos: Pexels (Authorized)
