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课件网) Chinese New Year: A Time of Celebration and Joy! Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is a special time celebrated by many people around the world. It's a time to welcome the arrival of a brand new year according to the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. Imagine colorful decorations, lively parades, and delicious feasts shared with family and friends. That's what Lunar New Year is all about! It's a time for people to come together, show love and respect to their elders, and wish each other good luck and happiness for the year ahead. What Makes Chinese New Year Special Let’s look at different Symbols and Traditions! You'll see lots of red during Lunar New Year! Red is a lucky color, believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. People decorate their homes with red lanterns, banners, and paper cutouts to welcome luck and prosperity. Red is Everywhere Each year in the Lunar New Year cycle is named after one of twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac. There's the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. People believe that the animal of the year can influence their personality traits and fortune. The Zodiac Animals Lunar New Year is a time for families to gather and celebrate together. Many people travel long distances to be with their loved ones, sharing special meals, exchanging gifts, and catching up on all the latest news. Family Reunions One of the most exciting traditions for kids is receiving red envelopes filled with money! These envelopes, called "hongbao" in Chinese, are given by elders to children and younger family members as a symbol of good fortune and blessings for the new year. Lucky Red Envelopes Lunar New Year wouldn't be complete without delicious food! Families enjoy special dishes that have symbolic meanings. For example, dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity, while fish represents abundance and surplus. Food, Glorious Food The celebration doesn't end on New Year's Day! It continues for fifteen days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. People release lanterns into the sky and hang them outside their homes to symbolize hope, brightness, and a bright future. The Lantern Festival Lunar New Year is a time of joy, hope, and renewal. It's a chance to honor traditions, spend time with loved ones, and look forward to all the adventures the new year will bring. Whether you're watching fireworks, enjoying a festive meal, or dancing in the streets, Lunar New Year is a magical time for everyone! Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai! (That means "Wishing you prosperity" in Mandarin!)
