imformation of lunar new year!

Lunar New Year
festival
Chinese Chunjie,also called Spring Festival
festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars. Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” Traditionally, New Year’s eve and New Year’s day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honouring ancestors. Also on New Year’s day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. On this night colourful lanterns light up the houses, and traditional foods such as yuanxiao (sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad) are served.

The origins of the Lunar New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends. One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s day. Because Nian feared the colour red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were burned all night, and firecrackers were lit to frighten the beast away.

2009-02-20 21:51:17 補充：
To talk about the Lunar New Year, you can begin by saying:

The long Lunar New Year holiday has passed, but I still miss the great time with my family and friends .....

2009-02-20 21:51:57 補充：
Then you can give some basic information about the festival, such as:

-- Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival, which is the most important one to Chinese;

-- during the holiday, people are busy visiting their relatives and friends;

2009-02-20 21:52:29 補充：
-- children are so happy that they can get red envelopes and enjoy traditional snacks such as Niangao, melon seeds, lots of candies, and .....

-- people in HK also enjoy certain events such as the fireworks display, or some might go to Macau to "play" firecarckers.

2009-02-20 21:52:51 補充：
Then you can mention what you did during the holiday (the above is just what most people do) and end your talk with the question:

So did you have a great time during the Chinese New Year too? / did you enjoy your Lunar New Year holiday too?

What?are you talking about?