Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is celebrated for 15 days. I am going to share with you how my family and I celebrate this special festival.
Days before the Spring Festival, my family starts to clean the house thoroughly. We believe that a clean house brings good luck and drives away bad spirits. We also hang up red decorations, such as lanterns and couplets, to bring good fortune and happiness.
On the eve of the Spring Festival, my family gathers together for a big reunion dinner. We prepare various delicious dishes, such as fish, dumplings, and rice cakes. These foods have special meanings. For example, fish symbolizes surplus and prosperity, dumplings represent reunion and wealth, and rice cakes symbolize better fortune in the coming year. We enjoy the dinner and share stories and laughter together.
After dinner, we usually stay up late and light firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the new year. The loud noise and colorful fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck. It's always exciting to watch the fireworks light up the sky and listen to the sounds of firecrackers.
On the first day of the lunar new year, we put on our new clothes and visit our relatives and friends. We greet each other by saying "Happy New Year" and give each other red envelopes filled with money. It is a gesture of good luck and blessings. We also visit temples and pray for a prosperous year ahead.
During the Spring Festival, there are many traditional activities and customs. One of my favorites is the lion dance. It is performed by dancers dressed in a lion costume. They move in sync with the beat of a drum and perform acrobatic moves. It is believed that the lion dance can bring good luck and keep away evil spirits.
Another popular activity is the traditional games. We play games like tug-of-war, shuttlecock kicking, and dragon boat racing. These games not only bring joy and entertainment but also symbolize unity and strength.
In the evenings, we watch the annual Spring Festival Gala on TV. It is a variety show featuring music, dance, comedy, and other performances. We enjoy the show and laugh together as we welcome the new year.
Overall, the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, delicious food, and joyful celebrations. It is a time to honor our traditions and embrace our cultural heritage. I am always grateful for this special festival and the memories it brings each year. Happy Spring Festival!