Global Celebrations
世界節慶
Chinese New Year
中國新年
Long ago, on a fateful night just as the new year began, a mythical beast called "Nian" emerged from the darkness and onto the land. Nian began hunting people and animals and destroying their homes. It was utter chaos. People had no idea how to protect themselves from the beast. Eventually, they discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, fire, and the color red.
很久很久以前，在某個災難性的新年夜晚，一隻叫做「年」的神話怪獸從黑暗中現身，踏入人類居住的土地。年獸開始獵捕人類和動物，破壞他們的家園。簡直是一團混亂。人們不知道如何自保才能避開年獸的攻擊。最後他們發現年獸害怕巨響、火焰和紅色的東西。
So from then on, before New Year's Day, people would post red couplets, which contain blessings and wishes they have for the new year, on the front of their houses. They would also light loud and bright fire crackers and hang lanterns to scare the beast away, just in case he was still around.
所以從那時開始，每年新年之前，人們會貼上紅色春聯，春聯上包含著他們對於新年的祝福和希望，這些春聯會貼在他們的大門上。他們也會點燃發出巨響與亮光的鞭炮、掛上燈籠，用來嚇走年獸，以防年獸還在附近徘徊。
Did you know that this story actually tells us the legend of how Chinese New Year began?
你知道這個故事其實就是開啟中國新年傳統的傳說嗎？
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a festival celebrated every year by Chinese communities worldwide—from Hong Kong to London, and Sydney to San Francisco. It is a very important festival to Chinese people because they believe that a good start to the year will lead to a lucky and prosperous year.
中國新年，也被稱作農曆新年，是全世界中華文化圈都會慶祝的一個節慶－－從香港到倫敦，雪梨到舊金山。對華人來說，這是個非常重要的節慶，因為他們相信，一年如果有了好的開始，好運和繁榮就會延續一整年。
Chinese New Year starts on the very first day of the lunar calendar. This day usually falls in January or February. Like a lot of celebrations around the world and in different cultures, there are special traditions that are observed during Chinese New Year.
農曆新年從每年農曆最初那天開始。這一天通常會在一月或二月。跟世界上很多不同文化中的節慶一樣，農曆新年也有很多特殊的傳統。
One of the most obvious traditions is the use of the color red. This is because red represents good fortune and happiness. That is why you'll see lots of red decorations, such as lanterns and couplets hanging around streets, buildings, and in houses as well.
最顯眼的傳統就是用紅色這個顏色。因為紅色代表了吉利和喜氣。這就是為什麼你會看到很多紅色的裝飾，像是燈籠、春聯會出現在街道、建築物和很多住家。
One of the exciting parts of Chinese New Year are all the red envelopes. These envelopes have money inside and are given to children by married adults, which bless them with a peaceful new year. Ooh!
過年最令人興奮的一個部分就是所有的紅包啦。這些紅包裡面會放錢，已婚的大人會包紅包給小朋友，祝福他們有個平靜安好的新年。唷呼!
Firecrackers are also set off to sound out the old year and welcome in a better new year. Are they loud?
他們也會放鞭炮，請舊的一年離開，迎接更美好的新年。是不是很大聲呀？
Chinese New Year is an important time for families to be together. People come home from all around the world to celebrate the festival with their families. On Chinese New Year's eve, families sit together at round tables for a reunion dinner and enjoy a feast. Some foods are extra popular at this time because their names or appearances carry positive symbolic meanings. These foods include dumplings, mandarins, and rice balls. Yum!
中國新年對家人來說是重要的團聚時刻。人們從世界各地回家，為了和家人慶祝這個重要的節慶。在除夕夜，家人們會圍坐在圓桌邊吃團圓飯，享用大餐。有些食物在新年的時候很受歡迎，因為它們的名稱或外表帶有正面又象徵性的意義。這些食物包含水餃、橘子和湯圓。好吃!
During Chinese New Year, you can say, "Xin nian kuai le," "Wan shi ru yi," which means "Happy New Year!" "May all your wishes be fulfilled!"
過農曆新年的時候，你可以說「新年快樂」、「萬事如意」，代表著「希望你有個開心的新年!」「希望你所有的願望都實現!」
Everyone celebrates special days in their own way. Different people have different traditions that they enjoy during their festivals, and these are just some of the common ones seen during Chinese New Year.
每個人都會用自己的方式慶祝這些特別的日子。不同的人會在節慶時有各自喜歡的不同傳統，而這些只是你會在農曆新年看到的一些共同傳統唷。
