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Spring Festival

Spring Festival . By: Dewi, Olivia and Vanessa. 1 st History.

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Spring Festival

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  1. Spring Festival By: Dewi, Olivia and Vanessa

  2. 1st History • A wise old man who counsels the villagers to ward off the evil Nian by making loud noises with drums and firecrackers and hanging red paper cutouts and scrolls on their doors because for some reason, the Nian is scared of the color red. • The villagers took the old man’s advice and the Nian was conquered. On the anniversary of the date, the Chinese recognize the “passing of the Nian” known in Chinese as guo nian (过年), which is also synonymous with celebrating the new year.

  3. 2nd History • One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the density of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor of China, who named China, all the emperors ordered, splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people.

  4. 3rd History • It’s been written that the animals of the zodiac were brought to China via the Silk Road, the same central Asian trade route that brought the Buddhist belief from India to China. But some scholars argue that the belief predates Buddhism and has origins in early Chinese astronomy that used the planet Jupiter as a constant, as its orbit around the earth took place every 12 years. Still others have argued that the use of animals in astrology began with nomadic tribes in ancient China who developed a calendar based on the animals they used to hunt and gather. • The scholar Christopher Cullen as written that beyond satisfying the spiritual needs of an agrarian society, the use of astronomy and astrology was also an imperative of the emperor, who had the responsibility for ensuring harmony of everything under heaven. To rule well and with prestige, one needed to be accurate in astronomical matters, Cullen wrote. Perhaps that is why the Chinese calendar, including the zodiac, became so entrenched in Chinese culture. In fact, reforming the calendar system was viewed as appropriate if political change was eminent.

  5. When • The Spring Festival falls on the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar.

  6. Traditions • http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2010-02/10/c_13171362.htm

  7. Symbols • Fu - Blessing, Good Fortune, Good LuckFu is one of the most popular Chinese characters used in Chinese New Year. It is often posted upside down on the front door of a house or an apartment. The upside down fu means good luck came since the character for upside down in Chinese sounds the same as the character for came. • Lu - ProsperityIt used to mean official's salary in feudal China. Fengshui is believed to be the Chinese way to health, wealth and happiness. If you are interested in Fengshui, you may check out the book 'The FengShui Kit. • Shou - LongevityShou also means life, age or birthday. • Xi-Happiness Double happiness is usually posted everywhere on Chinese weddings.

  8. Continuing Symbols • Cai - wealth, moneyChinese often say money can make a ghost turn a millstone. It is to say money really can do a lot of things. • He - harmonious'People harmony' is an important part of Chinese culture. When you have harmonious relations with others, things will be a lot easier for you. • Ai - love, affectionDon't need to say any more about this one. Just want to point out ti is often used with mianzi together. Ai mianzi means 'be concerned about one's face-saving.‘ • Mei - beautiful, prettyThe United States of American is called Mei Guo in the short form. Guo means country so Mei guo is a good name. • Ji - lucky, auspicious, propitiousHope all is well. • De - virtue, moralDe means virtue, moral, heart, mind, and kindness, etc. It is also used in the name for Germany, i.e., De Guo.

  9. Activities • Cleaning and decoration • Eating Jiao Zi • Watching gala shows on TV • Exchanging gifts • Watching fireworks • Greetings • Friends gathering • Drinking • Gambling • Dragon lantern dance • Lion dance • Land boat dance • Yangge dance

  10. Why? • Spring Festival, widely known as Chinese New Year in the west, is the most important traditional festival and a public holiday in China.

  11. Food and Drinks • Jiao Zi Wine • Laba porridge • Fish • Tan Yuan • Noodles • Meat • Spring roll • Glutinous rice • New year cake • Dough flowers • Moon cake

  12. Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xtp9M5eU1s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEAiiJ2J7ZI • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blku3QKGoHk

  13. Pictures

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