The document describes Chinese New Year traditions and customs. It explains that in ancient times, villagers believed a monster called "Nian" would come ashore on New Year's Eve to eat livestock and harm people. A deity helped the villagers drive away Nian by having them hang red papers on doors, light candles inside homes, set off firecrackers which scared Nian away. These traditions of hanging red couplets, lighting candles, and setting off firecrackers became widely practiced on New Year's Eve to ward off evil spirits. The customs have been passed down and evolved into China's most grand traditional festival.

1. “年”的传说
古时候有一种叫“年”的怪兽，头
长触角，凶猛异常。“年”每到除夕
爬上岸，吞食牲畜伤害人命。
有一年，村子里来了一位神仙，要帮
助村民赶走“年”这个怪兽。他让村
民家家门贴大红纸，屋内烛火通明。
“年”兽浑身一抖，怪叫了一声。将
近门口时，院内突然传来“砰砰啪啪”
的炸响声，“年”浑身战栗，再不敢
往前凑了。

2. 原来，“年”最怕红色、火
光和炸响。人们都知道了驱
赶“年”兽的办法。从此每
年除夕，家家贴红对联、燃
放爆竹;户户烛火通明、守
更待岁。初一一大早，还要
走亲串友道喜问好。这风俗
越传越广，成了中国民间最
隆重的传统节日。

3. 十二生肖 Zodiac Signs
子鼠
丑牛
寅虎
卯兔
辰龙
巳蛇
午马
未羊
申猴
酉鸡
戌狗
亥猪

4. • 第一组：鼠和牛。鼠代表智慧，牛
代表勤劳。两者紧密结合，是我们
祖先对中国人的第一组期望和要求。
• The first group consists of rats and
cattle. Rat represents wisdom,
cattle represent hard-work.
• 第二组：老虎和兔子。老虎代表
勇猛，兔子代表谨慎。两者一定
要紧密的结合在一起，才能做到
所谓的大胆心细。
• The second group consists of
tigers and rabbits. The tiger
represents bravery, the rabbit
represents caution.
• 第三组是龙和蛇。龙代表刚猛，
蛇代表柔韧，刚柔并济是我们历
代的祖训。
• The third group is the dragon
and the snake. The dragon
represents the fierce, the snake
represents the pliable.

5. • 第四组是马和羊。马代表一往无前，
向目标奋进，羊代表团结和睦。表
明个人的奋进与集体的和睦必须紧
紧结合在一起。
• The fourth group is horses and
sheep. The horse represents
being aspired to the goal, and
the sheep represents unity and
peace.
• 最后是狗和猪。狗是代表忠诚，猪是代
表随和。二者的结合，就是中国人一直
坚持的“外圆内方”，随和的同时保持内心
的坚定和忠诚。
• Finally, dogs and pigs. The dog
represents loyalty, the pig represents
easygoing. The combination of the two
is the "inner circle" the Chinese people
have always insisted on.
• 第五组是猴子和鸡。猴子代表灵活，
鸡定时打鸣，代表恒定。它们之间
非常圆融的结合，一方面具有稳定
性，保持整体的和谐和秩序，另一
方面又能不断变通地前进。
• The fifth group is monkey and
rooster. Monkeys represent
flexibility and since roosters
crow every morning, they
represent constancy.

7. 除夕的晚上守岁
给小孩子们压岁钱“红包”
Money in the red packet will
suppress the evil from the
children, keep them healthy,
and give them a long life.
阖家团圆
吃年夜饭
A family Reunion Dinner is hosted.
During the dinner, normally fish will be
served. Dumplings are the most
important dish in Northern China.
These two dishes signify prosperity.
春联迎春到
福字送福来
People decorate their houses
to welcome Spring. They also
visit senior members and other
relatives.
春节的习俗 Chinese New Year Customs

8. 春节前后的岁时习俗
Customs held before and after Spring Festival
The twenty-third of
the twelfth lunar
month is known as
a "small year", and
it is the day of
sacrificial offering
to God.
Tying couplets,
pasting New Year
pictures and eating
dumplings are a few
of the traditional
activities.
People light
fireworks and visit
friends to have a
good time.
The Lantern Festival
is the first full moon
night of the New
Year. Releasing
lanterns at night
marks the end of
the celebration.
It is believed that
the person who
launched the first
firework of the New
Year will obtain
good luck.
烟花是用来驱赶邪
恶的中国认为人首
先推出的烟火