Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, usually falling between late January and early February.
During the Spring Festival, families gather together to celebrate. People clean their houses thoroughly to sweep away any bad luck and make room for good fortune. They also put up decorations, such as red lanterns and couplets, which are traditional poetic verses written on red paper. Red is considered a lucky color and is believed to ward off evil spirits.
One of the most exciting parts of the Spring Festival is the traditional lion and dragon dances. These dances are performed by a group of people, who wear lion or dragon costumes and dance to the beat of drums and gongs. The purpose of these dances is to bring good luck and fortune for the coming year.
The highlight of the Spring Festival is the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve. Families gather around the dinner table to enjoy a feast of delicious food. Dumplings, fish, and rice cakes are must-haves for the dinner, as they symbolize wealth, prosperity, and good luck. After dinner, families stay up late to watch the Spring Festival Gala on TV, enjoying performances of music, dance, and comedy.
Another important tradition of the Spring Festival is the giving and receiving of red envelopes. These red envelopes contain money and are given by **s to children, as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the new year. Children are always excited to receive these red envelopes and often use the money to buy toys or sweets.
Besides family gatherings, Spring Festival is also a time to visit relatives and friends. People often travel long distances to visit their hometowns or take vacations. In recent years, there has also been a trend of people traveling abroad during the Spring Festival holiday.
In conclusion, Spring Festival is a time of celebration, family, and traditions. It brings joy, happiness, and hope for the new year. It is a time when people come together to share love, laughter, and good wishes for the future.