英文功課一問...15分

Valentine's Day falls on 14 February every year. On this day, people give flowers and chocolates or send greeting cards to loved ones. Why do we celebrate such a festival?According to one legend, this festival is to remember Valentine, a priest in Rome in the third century. He defied the emperor's command that young men shouldn't marry so they can become strong soldiers. Valentine secretly performed marriages for young couples. When his actions were discovered, he was put to prison and died later.Nowadays, many countries celebrate Valentine's Day. At first, people exchanged small tokens o f affection or love messages. Then greeting cards were produced for this festival. Statistics from the Greeting Card Association show that Valentine's Day cards are the second most popular holiday cards after Christmas cards. This day is a good chance to show your feelings for someone. People often send cards with "Love from a Secret Admirer" on them. An "X" after signing your name means "kiss". Valentine's Day is flower shops' busiest day as well. Some people give heart-shaped candies or chocolates to loved ones. Many people, however, feel Valentine's Day is too commercial now. In Chinese culture, there is also a similar romantic festival. It is Yuan Xiao which falls on 15 January of the Lunar Calendar. On this day, young single people, especially girls, are allowed to go out and socialize in the evening. Young single women usually make wishes to the God of Destiny to find a good husband while single men wish to marry a good wife.

Valentine’s Day in Japan is a little bit different than how it is celebrated here in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Valentine’s Day is a day for girls to be spoiled. They receive flowers and gifts. They get taken out to fancy dinners and get a lot of attention given to them. Basically, in Hong Kong, Valentine’s Day is a female holiday. The way Hong Kong celebrates Valentine’s Day is similar to how other people in western countries celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Japan is unique in the way it celebrates Valentine’s Day. Japanese women give chocolates to men on this day. Women who are working are expected to give chocolates to all their male colleagues. Japanese women may also give chocolates to their friends. Most importantly, Japanese women will give chocolates to their lovers on this day. This is a day where Japanese men are spoiled by women.

To make it fairer on the women, there is a White Day in Japan now. On White Day, men who received chocolates from women a month ago are expected to return the favour by giving chocolates back. Originally, Japanese men were supposed to give white chocolate or marshmallows on White Day. This is how White Day got its name. Now, many different types of gifts are acceptable.

2009-02-12 18:32:34 補充：
Many Chinese people are quite superstitious. Superstitions are beliefs that do not have any scientific proof. Many Chinese people believe they can avoid bad luck by avoiding certain actions or items.

2009-02-12 18:32:40 補充：
On the other hand, they believe they can receive good luck by doing other specific actions or items.

2009-02-12 18:33:02 補充：
There are many superstitions that come with Chinese New Year.

2009-02-12 18:33:08 補充：
Chinese people will do a list of things before and during the Chinese New Year celebrations to make sure that they will have a good year ahead of them. Some of these actions include opening and closing the doors and windows in the house.

2009-02-12 18:33:24 補充：
This will bring luck to the house. Furthermore, people will turn on and off their lights at night. This is to ensure that evil spirits will stay away.

2009-02-12 18:33:28 補充：
Some Chinese people will also wear a new pair of slippers that they bought before the New Year to step on pictures of people that gossip about them.

2009-02-12 18:33:40 補充：
It is important not to get a haircut during the first lunar month. This action will bring bad luck to maternal uncles. Maternal uncles are uncles on your mother's side.

2009-02-12 18:33:48 補充：
Furthermore, Chinese families will not sweep their floors on the first day of the New Year. They are afraid that it will sweep all the luck out of their home.

2009-02-12 18:33:51 補充：
And for people who enjoy reading, it is best not to buy books during the New Year celebrations as the word book' in Chinese sounds similar to the word lose'.