春节 The Spring Festival 农历 lunar calendar 正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year 元宵节 The Lantern Festival Customs: 过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival 对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets 剪纸 paper-cuts 年画 New Year paintings 买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival do Spring Festival shopping 敬酒 propose a toast 灯笼 lantern: a portable light 烟花 fireworks 爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.) 红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year.) 舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.) 舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests) 戏曲 traditional opera 杂耍 variety show; vaudeville 灯谜 riddles written on lanterns 灯会 exhibit of lanterns 守岁 staying-up 拜年 pay New Year's call; give New Year's greetings; New Year's visit 禁忌 taboo 去晦气 get rid of the ill- fortune 祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one's ancestors
压岁钱 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift Culture Note: In the old days, New Year's money was given in the form of one hundred copper coins strung together on a red string and symbolized the hope that one would live to be a hundred years old. Today, money is placed inside red envelopes in denominations considered auspicious and given to represent luck and wealth 辞旧岁 bid farewell to the old year 扫房 spring cleaning; general house-cleaning Blessings: 金玉满堂 Treasures fill the home 生意兴隆 Business flourishes 岁岁平安 Peace all year round 恭喜发财 Wishing you prosperity 和气生财 Harmony brings wealth 心想事成 May all your wishes come true 吉祥如意 Everything goes well 国泰民安 The country flourishes and people live in peace 招财进宝 Money and treasures will be plentiful 一帆风顺 Wishing you every success 步步高升 Promoting to a higher position 出入平安 Safe trip wherever you go 祝你新的一年快乐幸福: Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year! 事业成功，家庭美满: Wish you success in your career and happiness of your family!