春节习俗盘点：三十儿晚上熬一宿
Chinese people are supposed to stay up the whole night on the 30th day of the 12th month in Lunar Calendar.在年三十晚上，中国人一般都会整晚通宵守岁。 The folk saying goes like: 三十儿晚上熬一宿。 俗语叫做“三十儿晚上熬一宿”。
In ancient times, there was a monster called 年 (nian, or year) that would harm people。
Later, people found out that the monster routinely came out on New Year’s Eve, so people began to get together on this day, staying up and chatting, hoping for peaceful paage of the time。 后来，人们发现怪兽会在每年的除夕出来，所以人们在那一天聚在一起，通宵聊天，希望安全度过这段时间。
The custom of staying up symbolises the warding off of all diseases and disasters, wishing for good luck in the New Year。
熬夜的习俗，寓意着在新年远离疾病与灾难，期许着好运到来。
Nowadays, Chinese people will rush back home and have reunion dinner with family members on this day。
如今，中国人会在除夕夜回家，与家人团聚，吃团圆饭。
春节双语习俗盘点：大年初一串门走亲戚
Today is the 1st day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar。
On the first day, the oldest and most senior members will be visited, the visits serve to strengthen family kinship。
This practice is called 拜年 ( bai nian, or wishing somebody a Happy New Year)。
The visitor will bring a small gift to the household which will be visited- usually two mandarin oranges, as the fruit symbolises gold, hence wealth and good fortune。
Giving oranges in pairs because of the preference of number two in Chinese culture as there is an idiom saying 好事成双 ( hao shi cheng shuang, good things come in pairs)。
Children or unmarried will receive 红包 (hong bao, or red packet) from the senior。
The red colour of the envelope symbolises good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits。
It is traditional to put brand new notes inside red packets and also to avoid opening the packets in front of the relatives。
There is also the tradition of welcoming guests with tea and sweet treats, such as sugared fruits which are supposed to sweeten one’s upcoming year。 Sweets and fruits are served on a round tray - the form resembling togetherne and hence the tray is most commonly translated as the “Tray of Togetherne” (八宝盒，ba bao he)。
The sweets will be arranged in eight units, as the number eight symbolises luck as the Chinese word 8 (ba) sounds similar to prosperity (fa, 发)。
In addition, the fruit pomelo is always consumed at Chinese New Year as its Chinese name 柚 (you) sounds exactly same to the word ‘to have’ (有， you) in the language.This fruit signifies abundance in Chinese food symbolism。
春节双语习俗：大年初二 媳妇回娘家
Today is the 2nd day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.今天是大年初二。
On this day, married daughters usually go back to their own family to visit their parents, relatives and close friends.Traditionally, married daughters didn’t have the opportunity to visit their birth families frequently.在这一天，已婚的女儿们会回娘家看望自己的父母，亲戚以及好友。传统来说，已婚的女儿没有很多看望自己家人的机会。
In old days, since married daughters are considered as outsider and no longer belonging to their parents family, they are not required to come back for reunion dinner on the New Year Eve or come back on the first day of the New Year.在旧时代，人们认为“嫁出去的姑娘，泼出去的水”，所以他们一般不能在除夕或者大年初一回家吃团圆饭。
However as men and women are more equal now, people are not really following this custom.However, when visiting parents, married daughters are supposed to go with their husbands and present some simple gifts such as pineapple tarts.但是，现在，男女平等，人们并不会十分较真的遵循着这样的习俗。然而，当看望父母时，已婚女子都应与自己的丈夫，带着一些糕点礼物上门，比如黄梨挞。
The pineapple tarts (黄梨挞，huang li ta)， as shown in my drawing, are small, bite-size pastries filled with or topped with pineapple jam.黄梨挞，就像上图中展示的一样，是一种小巧的、一口一个的糕点，糕点一般填充着或者在上面覆盖着一层黄梨酱。
In South East Asia exists one form of Pineapple tart.Pineapple tarts are especially popular during Chinese New Year at South East Asia.在东南亚，存在着一种黄梨挞。在中国新年的时候，这种黄梨挞在东南亚将变得十分受欢迎。
Pineapple is translated as ‘Ong Lai’ (黄梨， huang li in Mandarin) in Hokkien.用闽南语来说，“黄梨”被就是Ong Lai。(注：这里的黄梨也就是菠萝，台语称之王梨(ông-lâi)，台湾国语称为凤梨，新马一带称为黄梨，大陆及香港称作菠萝)
It sounds similar to the word of prosperity comes ( 旺来，wang lai).Pineapple is yellow which is a close colour to gold especially once the pineapple jam is cooked.“黄梨”听上去很像是“旺来”，而黄梨也是黄色的，十分接近金色，特别当黄梨酱被烹调之后。
Gold means wealth and prosperity as well.In addition, Chinese people will have 馄饨 (hun dun) or 云吞(yun tun, or wanton) as lunch for this day.金色也寓意着财富与兴旺。另外在这一天吃午饭的时候，中国人也会吃馄饨或者说云吞。
Wonton is a special kind of dumplings which are normally served in soup.Wonton symbolises wealth and prosperity as its shape looks like silver ingot (元宝，yuan bao) which was the money used in ancient time。馄饨是一种特别的点心，一般是放在汤里的。馄饨代表着兴旺繁荣，因为它的形状长得很像银元宝，而元宝在古代则被当做货币使用。
春节双语习俗：大年初四 迎接灶王爷
Today is the 4th day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.According to folklore, it is a god-send-off day on the 23rd of the 12th lunar month, and it is also a god welcoming day on the 4th day of the Chinese New Year.今天是大年初四。遵循习俗，农历12月23日是送神日，而在大年初四，则被认为是一个请神的好日子。
The Kitchen God (灶王爷，zao wang ye, or 灶神 zao shen) is said to report his work to the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝， yu huang da di) commenting on human good and evil, until the 4th day of New Year to return back to the earth.据说，灶王爷要将过去一年人类的善与恶汇报给玉皇大帝，直到大年初四才会重返人间。
Chinese folk saying goes: “Send-off early, welcome late” (送神早，接神迟.song shen zao, jie shen chi) so that the Kitchen God need to be sent off in the morning, while to welcome at about four o’clock in the afternoon.中国俗语说：“送神早，接神迟。”，所以在清晨需要送走灶王爷，而在下午四点左右迎接灶王爷。
In the north area of China a legend also said that, on this day, Kitchen God would be down checking the household, therefore, it should be not away from home, and there is also a similar custom which forbids closing doors in case the god not able to get in。在中国北方有一个传说，在这一天，灶王爷会降临，检查家家户户，因此在这一天不应离家在外，同样也有一个习俗说，这一天不要关门，以防灶王爷无法进入家宅之中。
红包大战可以用red-envelope war/fight, battle of the red envelopes 表示，红包(red-envelope/ money in red envelop)俗称压岁钱(lucky/gift money)。电子红包(electronic red-envelope)近年迅速兴起，各互联网巨头为增加用户粘性，各施奇招，“红包大战”日趋白热化(turn white-hot)，红包渐成了一大网络迷因(Internet /online meme)。
春节期间，各互联网公司为吸引移动支付新用户(new mobile payment users)，发出逾70亿元的现金红包(cash-filled red envelopes)、购物券红包(coupon-filled red envelopes)。腾讯、阿里上演互相封杀戏码，以存在“安全问题”(security concerns)互相屏蔽链接。一位分析人士指出屏蔽竞争对手的服务(block competitors\' services)，是为了防止对手挖走用户(prevent users from being poached)，成为一种常用策略(common strategy)。有专家指出，互相屏蔽服务可能会导致不公平竞争(unfair competition)、损害消费者权益(jeopardize consumers\' rights)。
春节双语习俗：大年初五 开市接财神
Chinese New Year on my fingertip #13 指尖上的新年
（十三）：大年初五 开市接财神
Today is the 5th day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.This day is commonly known as the Festival of Po Wu ( 破五, literally breaking five).今天是大年初五，今天习惯称为“破五节”。
According to the traditional customs, it is believed that many New Year taboos can be broken on this day.From this day on, shops will generally return to normal.根据传统习俗，人们认为，很多新年禁忌，在这一天都可以被打破。
There are several stories about the origin of the Festival of Po Wu, among which the most popular one is that this day is the birthday of the God of Fortune (财神, cai shen).有几个关于破五节的来源的故事，在这其中最广为人知的便是，这一天是财神的诞辰。 So, on this day, people will celebrate this day with a large banquet.所以，在这一天，人们会有大餐来庆祝。
They will also shoot off firecrackers in the attempt to get the attention of the god of fortune, thus ensuring his favor and good fortune for the whole new year.人们还会放烟花，来吸引财神的注意，这样以保证新的一整年中都可以有财神的眷顾，而有财运降临。
Even till today, In the northern part of China, people still prefer eating dumplings (饺子, jiao zi) on this day to celebrate that many taboos can be broken since this day.甚至直到今天，在中国北部地区，人们仍然十分钟爱在这一天吃饺子，来庆祝这一天可以打破许多禁忌。
Besides, the shape of a dumpling is like a gold ingot, so eating dumplings is also a way to celebrate the birthday of the God of Fortune.另外，饺子的形状酷似金锭，所以吃饺子也是一种庆祝财神诞辰的方式。
春节习俗：大年初六 千家送穷鬼
Chinese New Year on my fingertip #14 指尖上的新年
（十四）：大年初六 千家送穷鬼
Today is the 6th day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.今天是农历正月初六。 According to traditional customs, families usually send away the Ghost of Poverty (穷鬼, qiong gui) on this day.根据传统习俗，家里通常要在这一天送走穷鬼。
By doing this, Chinese people wish to send sway poverty and welcome the beautiful days and good luck in the new year.通过做这些，中国人希望能送走贫穷并且在新的一年迎来幸福和好运。
According to the legend, the ghost of poverty is a son of an emperor thousands years ago.He was short and weak, and liked wearing ragged clothes and eating poor porridge.根据传说，几千年前穷鬼是一个皇帝的儿子。他矮小而又瘦弱，并且喜欢穿破烂的衣服，喝稀饭。
Even when people presented him with new clothes, he would not wear it until he ripped it apart.So, he got the name of „the man of poverty (穷子, qiong zi) with time paing by, he gradually became the ghost of poverty.即使人们送给他新衣服，他也要扯破后才穿。因此，随着时间推移，他被称为了穷子，渐渐地就变成了穷鬼。
To send away the Ghost of Poverty, Chinese people will usually throw away their ragged clothes, rubbish and other dirty things.为了送走穷鬼，人们通常会将自己的破衣服、垃圾和其他脏东西扔掉。 This practice also has its hygienic reason.这一做法也是为了清洁。
As for the first five days of Chinese new year, people are not allowed to throw away any rubbish because the rubbish is regarded as fortune which cannot be swept off.就新年的前五天来说，人们不允许扔掉任何垃圾因为垃圾被视为财富不能被清扫掉。 However, after the Festival of Po Wu (破五, po wu), many taboos can be broken.然而在破五之后，许多禁忌就可被打破。
Thus, people finally can clean up their houses again.于是，人们最后会再打扫一遍他们的房子。
Nowadays, the custom of sending away the Ghost of Poverty is not common to see in big cities.如今，在大城市中送穷鬼的习俗已经不常见了。
大年初七 人日捞鱼生
Chinese New Year on my fingertip #15 指尖上的新年
（十五）：大年初七 人日捞鱼生
Today is the 7th day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.今天是农历正月初七。
Today is commonly referred to as 人日 ( ren ri, the day of human) and it is considered as birthday for everyone.这天通常被称为人日，被认为是每个人的生日。
In most part of China, people will have noodles on this day, because noodles symbolise longevity in Chinese culture.在中国的大部分地区，人们会在这一天吃面条，因为在中国的文化中，面条象征着长寿。 In south part of China and even South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, Chinese people will take yusheng on this day to celebrate everyone‟s birthday.(鱼生), also known as lo hei (Cantonese for 捞起, lao qi, or to up) is a Chinese style raw fish salad.在中国的南方，甚至是在东南亚地区，特别是马来西亚和新加坡，中国人会在这一天拿鱼生来庆祝每个人的生日。这种中国式的生鱼沙律也被称为lo hei(捞起鱼生)。
It usually consists of strips of raw fish (most commonly salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients.它通常由生鱼条（多为鲑鱼）拌入蔬菜丁，再加入多种酱汁及作料，与其他配料一并食用。 Yusheng literally means „raw fish‟ but since „fish (鱼)‟ is commonly conflated with its homophone “abundance (余)”, yusheng (鱼生) is interpreted as a homophone for yusheng (余升) meaning an increase in abundance.鱼生字面意思就是“生的鱼肉”，但是因为“鱼”和“余”发音相同，鱼生被解释为同音词“余升”，寓意为高升有余。
Therefore, yusheng is considered as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.因此，鱼生便成了富足、发财的象征。
The yusheng had fish served with white radish, carrots, red pepper, turnips, red pickled ginger, sun-dried oranges, Chinese parsley, chopped peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, Chinese shrimp crackers (or fried dried shrimp), five spice powder and other ingredients, laced with a sauce using plum sauce, rice vinegar, kumquat paste and sesame oil.鱼生的配料包括萝卜(白色小萝卜)、胡萝卜、红辣椒、芜菁、紫姜泥、橘子干、柠檬叶、芫荽、干辣椒、海蜇皮、花生末、烤芝麻、炸虾米、五香粉等，再加入由酸梅酱、米醋、金丝橘膏及香油调制的酱汁。
It is common to say auspicious wishes as each ingredient is added.一般说来，每个加进去的配料都意为吉祥如意。 Chinese New Year on my fingertip #17 指尖上的新年（十七）：大年初九 拜天公寿诞 Today is the 9th day of 1st month in Lunar Calendar.今天是农历正月初九。
It is believed to be the birthday of the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝，yu huang da di, or 天公，tian gong) who is the Supreme Deity of Taoism.这天被认为是道家的最高神灵玉皇大帝的生辰。
It is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture, the Jade Emperor‟s birthday is touted as grander than the first day of the Chinese New Year as it is like a thanksgiving celebration.这是中国文化中最重要的庆祝活动之一，玉皇大帝的生辰据说是新年的后面第一天就像感恩节庆祝一样。
Moreover, it also marks the New Year for the Hokkien community.There will be grand ceremonies in Taoist temples on this day.此外，这也标志着福建地区的新年，这一天要到道教寺庙拜天公。
Ordinary families also have their own way to celebrate the birthday of the Jade Emperor.平常的家庭也有自己庆祝玉皇大帝生辰的方式。
Beginning from the midnight of the 8th day of the Chinese New Year to 4 o‟clock before the dawn of the ninth day, people will keep setting off firecrackers.On this day, people usually offer sacrifices to the Jade Emperor.从新年初八的午夜到初九的凌晨4点，人们会放鞭炮。人们通常在这天祭祀玉皇大帝。 Sugar cane (甘蔗,gan zhe) in the Hokkien dialect sounds (kam chia) like thank you (kam siah) and it is auspicious.在福建方言中，甘蔗听起来想“感谢”，这寓意着吉祥。
Thus, a pair of sugar cane is a must.Before the sacrifice, the whole family will take a shower first, to show their respect to the Jade Emperor.因此，一对甘蔗是必须的。在祭祀前，全家人都会先洗澡来表示对玉皇大帝的尊敬。
Chinese New Year on my fingertip #23 指尖上的新年（二十三）：正月十五 上元食汤圆
Today is the 15th day of the 1st month in Lunar Calendar.Today is commonly celebrated by all Chinese people as Yuan Xiao Jie (元宵节) or more well known as Lantern Festival in English.This festival is also called Shang Yuan Jie (上元节).今天是农历正月十五。今天是所有中国人庆祝的元宵节或是在英语中更熟知的Lantern Festival.也被称为上元节。 The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节, or Hunger Ghost Festival in English) and the 15th day of the 10th lunar month is Xia Yuan Jie (下元节).农历七月十五是中元节，而农历十月十五是下元节。
Shang Yuan Jie or Yuan Xiao Jie is a major festival in China.And the activities of Chinese New Year will reach a high point on this day.上元节或叫元宵节是中国的主要节日。新年的活动将在这一天到达高潮。
Early on the morning of this day, there will be dragon dancing and lion dancing parades in the streets, and all the streets will be crowded with people.这天早上，街上将会有舞龙舞狮的游行，所有街道都会充满人。
The happiest moment comes in the evening of this day.In the evening, families will go out together to enjoy the glorious full moon and appreciate colourful lanterns and also solve the lantern riddles.最开心的时刻在这天的夜晚来到。在晚上，家人会一起外出赏月，欣赏五彩的灯笼以及猜灯谜。
In some places of China, people even fly Kongming Lantern (孔明灯, as shown on the top right hand corner in my drawing) which their beautiful wishes are written.在中国的某些地方，人们还会放孔明灯，上面写着他们的美好愿望。
元宵 (yuan xiao) is a traditional food made of glutinous rice flour.Glutinous rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls with sweet filling (e.g.Black sesame as shown in my drawing and peanuts or red beans) and is then cooked and served in boiling water.元宵是一种传统食物，它由糯米粉制成。糯米粉混合着少量的水做成球，里面填充甜的芯（例如图上画的黑芝麻或是花生或是红豆），然后用开水煮熟并端上桌。
This food is usually eaten together with family.The round shape of the balls and the bowls where they are served, come to symbolise the family togetherne and reunion.元宵通常是与家人一同食用。装着圆形的元宵的碗象征着家庭的和睦、团圆。
This food is also known as Tang Yuan (汤圆).According to the legend, during the period of Yuan Shikai‟s (袁世凯) rule from AD 1912 to 1916, he disliked the name Yuan Xiao (元宵) because it sounded identical to “remove Yuan” (袁消), and so he gave orders to change the name to Tang Yuan.这也被叫做汤圆。据说，从公元1912到1916年的袁世凯时期，他不喜欢“元宵”这个名字，因为这听起来像“袁消”。于是，他命令改名叫“汤圆”。
This day officially marks the end of Chinese New Year celebration.这天也正式标志着新年的结束。
