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Chinese New Year traditions change from region to region in China. While some traditions have fallen victim to modern times， many are still celebrated. Don’t just watch the fireworks and lion dances； you’ll get more out of the celebration once you understand some of the 15 days of Chinese New Year traditions！
中国新年的传统在中国不同的地区也各不相同。虽然有些传统已经成为现代的牺牲品，但有一些仍旧保留了下来。不要光顾着看烟火和舞狮，当你了解了中国新年的15天的传统，你就会收获更多！
The eve of Chinese New Year is typically celebrated with a family dinner of dumplings—the dumplings symbolize1 wealth because of their shape. Southern Chinese celebrate by preparing a special cake known as niangao. After dinner， many groups go to temples to pray in the new year. Some families now stay at home and do a countdown2. Firecrackers and spectacular fireworks displays3—meant to frighten away evil spirits—can be seen in Beijing and many other cities on the eve of Chinese New Year.
除夕夜通常是同家人一起吃饺子庆祝——饺子因为它们的形状而象征着财富。在中国南方会为过年特别准备年糕庆祝。晚餐后，许多人会到寺庙为新的一年祈福。如今也有一些家庭留在家里等候新年的倒计时。鞭炮和壮观的烟花表演意在辟邪——这在北京和许多其他城市的除夕夜都能看到。
Many cities across the world consider the first two days of Chinese New Year to be a public holiday； businesses and offices are usually closed. Parades4 and lion dances are held in the streets while fireworks fill the sky. Younger people receive money， sweets， and small gifts in red envelopes from their elders. To bring good fortune， Buddhists5 typically refrain6 from eating meat or killing animals on the first day of Chinese New Year.
世界上许多城市都把中国春节的前两天定为公共假日，通常停止商业活动和工作。街头会举行游行和舞狮，同时伴着满天的烟火。年轻人从他们的长辈那里收到包在红包里的压岁钱、糖果和小礼物。为了带来好运，佛教徒通常在农历新年的第一天里不吃肉或杀生。
The second day of Chinese New Year is considered the official beginning of the new year as well as Cai Shen the God of Wealth’s birthday （Southern Chinese celebrate it on the fifth day of Chinese New Year）. Some traditionalists7 consider this day to be important for dogs and reward them with treats！Day two is also the day to visit friends and family members because the following day is considered a bad day for visiting.
農历新年的第二天被认为是“开年”，同时也是财神，即财富之神的生日（中国南方为正月初五）。一些传统人士认为这一天对狗很重要并且要奖励它们！正月初二也是拜访亲友的日子，因为接下来的一天被认为不适宜出门拜年。
In direct contrast with the first two days of Chinese New Year， day three is considered a bad day to visit friends and family； superstitious8 followers choose to remain at home or go to have their fortunes told at a temple dedicated9 to the God of Wealth. 与农历新年的前两天形成鲜明对比，人们认为正月初三不适宜拜访亲友；迷信的人选择留在家里，或者去供奉财神的庙里算命。
Business returns to normal on the fourth day in many places. Corporations may hold department dinners or organize social events for their employees.
許多地方的生意在正月初四恢复正常。公司可能在这天为员工举办部门晚宴或组织社交活动。
Dumplings are eaten in mainland China on day five. Some groups throw firecrackers to hopefully bring blessings from Guan Yu—a famous Chinese general considered to be the Taoist God of War.
在中国大陆正月初五吃饺子。一些团体会燃放鞭炮祭关公（中国著名的武将）。关公被认为是道教的武神。
More offices reopen and business resumes in places that were closed to observe the first five days of Chinese New Year as a public holiday. Again， more firecrackers are thrown to keep away malicious10 spirits who may try to make trouble for business in the New Year.
更多因庆祝中国新年前五天的公共假期而放假的单位和关闭的地方重新开放和恢复营业。此外，人们会炸响更多的鞭炮以赶走那些可能会在新年影响生意的穷鬼。
Day seven is considered by many to be the day that everyone grows one year older. Buddhists do not eat meat， and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia consume raw-fish salad to ensure prosperity.
正月初七被认为是每个人都长大一岁的一天。佛教徒不吃肉。东南亚的华人社区捞鱼生寓意步步高升。
The eighth day of Chinese New Year is the eve of the Jade Emperor’s birthday； special family dinners are held to honor Yu Huang， the Ruler of Heaven. Many employers will thank their employees with free food.
正月初八是玉皇大帝生日的前夕，人们会以特殊的家庭晚宴供奉天庭的统治者玉皇大帝。许多雇主会用免费的食物感谢员工。
The birthday of the Jade Emperor is considered extra important by the Hokkien Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Prayers are offered and incense11 sticks are lit. Sugarcane12 is considered a traditional offering to the deity13.
玉皇大帝的生日对于在马来西亚和新加坡的福建人来说非常重要，他们会诵经和燃香。人们把甘蔗作为供奉给神的传统供品。
Appreciation and offerings continue to be offered to the Jade Emperor on day 10.
人们在正月初十会继续向玉皇大帝奉上酬谢和供品。
Aside from family dinners and time with friends， these days are relatively quiet on Chinese New Year.
除了家庭聚餐和拜访朋友以外，这两天在中国的新年里相对平静。
After a gluttonous14 twelve days of eating， everyone converts to vegetarianism15 on the thirteenth day in hopes to settle weary digestive16 systems！Day 13 is mostly dedicated to Guan Yu， the God of War. Although everyone is long since back to work， businesses will offer special thanks to the famous general. 在暴饮暴食的十二天后，每个人在正月十三都转为食素让疲惫的消化系统休息一下！正月十三拜关公。尽管人们早就回来工作了，但商家们还是会特别拜一拜这位著名的武将。
Day 14 is spent resting and preparing for the Lantern Festival—the final Chinese New Year blowout17.
正月十四休息并为春节的最后一天欢庆元宵节做准备。
The last of the 15 days of Chinese New Year brings another round of fireworks， stage shows， and celebrations. Not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival. On Lantern Festival， large crowds walk the streets with candles and lanterns to bring peace and fortune. After a little over two weeks of celebrations， what is considered the largest of festivals in Asia will close.
中国新年15天的最后一天又是新一轮的烟花、舞台表演和庆祝活动。不要把正月十五元宵节同中秋节弄混淆。在元宵节，人群举着蜡烛和灯笼走在街上寓意带来和平和好运。经过两周多的庆祝，亚洲最大的节日即将结束。
1. symbolize vt. 象征
2. countdown n. 倒数计秒
3. display v. 炫耀；显示
4. parades n. 游行
5. Buddhist n. 佛教徒
6. refrain vi. 节制，克制；避免
7. traditionalist n. 传统主义者；因循守旧者 8. superstitious adj. 迷信的
9. dedicated adj. 专用的
10. malicious adj. 恶意的；蓄意的
11. incense n. 香
12. sugarcane n. 甘蔗
13. deity n. 神；神性
14. gluttonous adj. 貪吃的，暴食的
15. vegetarianism n. 素食主义
16. digestive adj. 消化的
17. blowout n. [俚]盛宴；欢闹
中国新年的传统在中国不同的地区也各不相同。虽然有些传统已经成为现代的牺牲品，但有一些仍旧保留了下来。不要光顾着看烟火和舞狮，当你了解了中国新年的15天的传统，你就会收获更多！
★ Chinese New Year’s Eve除夕夜
The eve of Chinese New Year is typically celebrated with a family dinner of dumplings—the dumplings symbolize1 wealth because of their shape. Southern Chinese celebrate by preparing a special cake known as niangao. After dinner， many groups go to temples to pray in the new year. Some families now stay at home and do a countdown2. Firecrackers and spectacular fireworks displays3—meant to frighten away evil spirits—can be seen in Beijing and many other cities on the eve of Chinese New Year.
除夕夜通常是同家人一起吃饺子庆祝——饺子因为它们的形状而象征着财富。在中国南方会为过年特别准备年糕庆祝。晚餐后，许多人会到寺庙为新的一年祈福。如今也有一些家庭留在家里等候新年的倒计时。鞭炮和壮观的烟花表演意在辟邪——这在北京和许多其他城市的除夕夜都能看到。
★ Day 1 of Chinese New Year 正月初一
Many cities across the world consider the first two days of Chinese New Year to be a public holiday； businesses and offices are usually closed. Parades4 and lion dances are held in the streets while fireworks fill the sky. Younger people receive money， sweets， and small gifts in red envelopes from their elders. To bring good fortune， Buddhists5 typically refrain6 from eating meat or killing animals on the first day of Chinese New Year.
世界上许多城市都把中国春节的前两天定为公共假日，通常停止商业活动和工作。街头会举行游行和舞狮，同时伴着满天的烟火。年轻人从他们的长辈那里收到包在红包里的压岁钱、糖果和小礼物。为了带来好运，佛教徒通常在农历新年的第一天里不吃肉或杀生。
★ Day 2 of Chinese New Year 正月初二
The second day of Chinese New Year is considered the official beginning of the new year as well as Cai Shen the God of Wealth’s birthday （Southern Chinese celebrate it on the fifth day of Chinese New Year）. Some traditionalists7 consider this day to be important for dogs and reward them with treats！Day two is also the day to visit friends and family members because the following day is considered a bad day for visiting.
農历新年的第二天被认为是“开年”，同时也是财神，即财富之神的生日（中国南方为正月初五）。一些传统人士认为这一天对狗很重要并且要奖励它们！正月初二也是拜访亲友的日子，因为接下来的一天被认为不适宜出门拜年。
★ Day 3 of Chinese New Year正月初三
In direct contrast with the first two days of Chinese New Year， day three is considered a bad day to visit friends and family； superstitious8 followers choose to remain at home or go to have their fortunes told at a temple dedicated9 to the God of Wealth. 与农历新年的前两天形成鲜明对比，人们认为正月初三不适宜拜访亲友；迷信的人选择留在家里，或者去供奉财神的庙里算命。
★ Day 4 of Chinese New Year 正月初四
Business returns to normal on the fourth day in many places. Corporations may hold department dinners or organize social events for their employees.
許多地方的生意在正月初四恢复正常。公司可能在这天为员工举办部门晚宴或组织社交活动。
★ Day 5 of Chinese New Year 正月初五
Dumplings are eaten in mainland China on day five. Some groups throw firecrackers to hopefully bring blessings from Guan Yu—a famous Chinese general considered to be the Taoist God of War.
在中国大陆正月初五吃饺子。一些团体会燃放鞭炮祭关公（中国著名的武将）。关公被认为是道教的武神。
★ Day 6 of Chinese New Year 正月初六
More offices reopen and business resumes in places that were closed to observe the first five days of Chinese New Year as a public holiday. Again， more firecrackers are thrown to keep away malicious10 spirits who may try to make trouble for business in the New Year.
更多因庆祝中国新年前五天的公共假期而放假的单位和关闭的地方重新开放和恢复营业。此外，人们会炸响更多的鞭炮以赶走那些可能会在新年影响生意的穷鬼。
★ Day 7 of Chinese New Year 正月初七
Day seven is considered by many to be the day that everyone grows one year older. Buddhists do not eat meat， and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia consume raw-fish salad to ensure prosperity.
正月初七被认为是每个人都长大一岁的一天。佛教徒不吃肉。东南亚的华人社区捞鱼生寓意步步高升。
★ Day 8 of Chinese New Year 正月初八
The eighth day of Chinese New Year is the eve of the Jade Emperor’s birthday； special family dinners are held to honor Yu Huang， the Ruler of Heaven. Many employers will thank their employees with free food.
正月初八是玉皇大帝生日的前夕，人们会以特殊的家庭晚宴供奉天庭的统治者玉皇大帝。许多雇主会用免费的食物感谢员工。
★ Day 9 of Chinese New Year 正月初九
The birthday of the Jade Emperor is considered extra important by the Hokkien Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Prayers are offered and incense11 sticks are lit. Sugarcane12 is considered a traditional offering to the deity13.
玉皇大帝的生日对于在马来西亚和新加坡的福建人来说非常重要，他们会诵经和燃香。人们把甘蔗作为供奉给神的传统供品。
★ Day 10 of Chinese New Year 正月初十
Appreciation and offerings continue to be offered to the Jade Emperor on day 10.
人们在正月初十会继续向玉皇大帝奉上酬谢和供品。
★ Day 11～12 of Chinese New Year 正月十一、十二
Aside from family dinners and time with friends， these days are relatively quiet on Chinese New Year.
除了家庭聚餐和拜访朋友以外，这两天在中国的新年里相对平静。
★ Day 13 of Chinese New Year 正月十三
After a gluttonous14 twelve days of eating， everyone converts to vegetarianism15 on the thirteenth day in hopes to settle weary digestive16 systems！Day 13 is mostly dedicated to Guan Yu， the God of War. Although everyone is long since back to work， businesses will offer special thanks to the famous general. 在暴饮暴食的十二天后，每个人在正月十三都转为食素让疲惫的消化系统休息一下！正月十三拜关公。尽管人们早就回来工作了，但商家们还是会特别拜一拜这位著名的武将。
★ Day 14 of Chinese New Year 正月十四
Day 14 is spent resting and preparing for the Lantern Festival—the final Chinese New Year blowout17.
正月十四休息并为春节的最后一天欢庆元宵节做准备。
★ Day 15 of Chinese New Year 正月十五
The last of the 15 days of Chinese New Year brings another round of fireworks， stage shows， and celebrations. Not to be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival. On Lantern Festival， large crowds walk the streets with candles and lanterns to bring peace and fortune. After a little over two weeks of celebrations， what is considered the largest of festivals in Asia will close.
中国新年15天的最后一天又是新一轮的烟花、舞台表演和庆祝活动。不要把正月十五元宵节同中秋节弄混淆。在元宵节，人群举着蜡烛和灯笼走在街上寓意带来和平和好运。经过两周多的庆祝，亚洲最大的节日即将结束。
Notes：
1. symbolize vt. 象征
2. countdown n. 倒数计秒
3. display v. 炫耀；显示
4. parades n. 游行
5. Buddhist n. 佛教徒
6. refrain vi. 节制，克制；避免
7. traditionalist n. 传统主义者；因循守旧者 8. superstitious adj. 迷信的
9. dedicated adj. 专用的
10. malicious adj. 恶意的；蓄意的
11. incense n. 香
12. sugarcane n. 甘蔗
13. deity n. 神；神性
14. gluttonous adj. 貪吃的，暴食的
15. vegetarianism n. 素食主义
16. digestive adj. 消化的
17. blowout n. [俚]盛宴；欢闹