Introduction to Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday celebrated in China. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and honoring ancestors. In this article, we will introduce the Chinese New Year and provide a sample English essay of 200 words on this topic.
The Origin of Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year has a long history, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC). It is said that the festival originated from the myth of Nian, a beast that would come out on New Year's Eve to attack people and livestock. To scare away the beast, people would put up red decorations and set off firecrackers. The tradition of wearing red clothes and giving red envelopes with money inside also originated from this legend.
The Customs of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days, starting on the first day of the lunar calendar and ending on the full moon. The customs vary from region to region, but some of the most common ones include:
1. Cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck.
2. Decorating the house with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cutouts.
3. Reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, which is the most important meal of the year.
4. Giving red envelopes with money inside to children and unmarried adults.
5. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks to scare away evil spirits.
6. Visiting relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.
7. Watching lion and dragon dances, which are believed to bring good luck.
Chinese New Year Essay
Here is a sample English essay of 200 words on Chinese New Year:
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday celebrated in China. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and honoring ancestors. The festival lasts for 15 days, starting on the first day of the lunar calendar and ending on the full moon.
The customs of Chinese New Year are varied and colorful. People clean their houses to sweep away bad luck and decorate them with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cutouts. On New Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner, which is the most important meal of the year. They also set off firecrackers and fireworks to scare away evil spirits.
One of the most popular customs of Chinese New Year is giving red envelopes with money inside to children and unmarried adults. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Another popular activity is visiting relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.
In conclusion, Chinese New Year is a time for joy, happiness, and togetherness. It is a celebration of family, tradition, and culture. Whether you are in China or abroad, the festival is a great opportunity to experience the rich heritage of Chinese culture.
