小年到十五 春節天天有講究大綱
Spring Festival, which falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month is the most important festival in China and a time for family reunion, like Christmas in the West.
農曆正月初一開始，就到了中國最重要的節日——春節。人們闔家團圓，就如同西方的聖誕節一樣。
Traditionally, Spring Festival starts in the early days of the 12th month of the lunar calendar and lasts until the middle of the 1st lunar month of the following year. With the modernization of China, some traditional customs are still followed today, but others have fallen by the wayside.
傳統意義上的春節始於農曆臘月（即十二月）初，一直持續到來年的正月（即一月）中旬。隨着中國的現代化，一些傳統習俗被保留了下來，而另一些卻逐漸消失在我們的視野中。
As we are preparing for the most important festival, let's have a review of the traditional customs that celebrate the Spring Festival.
在我們忙着準備這個重大節日的同時，不妨來回顧一下春節有哪些傳統習俗吧。
臘月二十三：送竈上天
Little New Year, which falls the 23rd day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar, is also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God, the deity who oversees the moral character of each household.
農曆臘月二十三日是小年，也是祭竈節。竈神在中國神話傳說中監管一家善惡。
People make sacrifices to the Kitchen Gold on this day. A paper image is burnt dispatching the god's spirit to Heaven to report on the family's conduct over the past year. The Kitchen God is then welcomed back by pasting a new paper image of him beside the stove.
人們在小年這一天祭拜竈神，焚燒竈神的畫像，意味着送竈神上天，稟報這家人在過去一年的德行。接着人們會在竈旁貼上新的畫像，意味着再把竈神接回來。臘月二十四：掃捨去塵
Families undertake thorough house cleaning on the 24th day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar, sweeping out the old in preparation for the coming year.
農曆臘月二十四日，各家各戶會進行大掃除掃捨去塵，預示着除舊迎新。
According to tradition, ghosts and deities must choose either to return to Heaven or to stay on Earth during the last month of the year. It is believed that to ensure the ghosts and deities' timely departure, people must thoroughly clean both their bodies and their dwellings, down to every last drawer and cupboard.
根據傳統，各路鬼神在農曆臘月必須決定自己是返回天庭還是繼續留在人間。據說爲了確保鬼神及時啓程離開，人們必須徹底地沐浴乾淨、清理住處，哪怕是抽屜櫃子也不能疏忽。臘月二十五：推磨做豆腐
People turn the mill and make tofu on the 25th day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar, as legend says the Jade Emperor will descend and taste the soybean curd residue to experience an austere life.
農曆臘月二十五日，人們推磨做豆腐，因爲傳說玉帝會在這一日降臨人間，品嚐豆腐渣，體味人間疾苦。
According to Taoist mythology, the Jade Emperor is the Taoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below, including that of Man and Hell. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religious pantheon.
道家神話裏，玉帝是道家統治者，管理着天界及以下各界，包括人間和地獄。玉帝是中國傳統宗教諸神中最重要的神祗之一。臘月二十六：殺豬割年肉
The folk saying goes: "butcher a pig and get some meat to prepare for the New Year feast" on the 26th day of the 12th month in the Lunar calendar.
中國有一句俗語：“殺豬割年肉。”農曆臘月二十六正是殺豬割年肉的日子。
In the old days, many people could not afford meat and they saved the best for the New Year feast. People's livelihoods have improved greatly and meat is now a very common dish in daily diet, but the Chinese still prefer having meat during festival season.
舊時許多人買不起肉，所以就把一年中最好的東西留到新年團圓飯吃。如今人們的生活質量得到了極大的改善，一日三餐裏肉食已經再常見不過，但春節期間人們仍然鍾愛肉食。臘月二十七：宰雞趕集
People kill chickens and go to market to buy provisions for the Spring Festival on the 27th day of the 12th month in the Lunar Calendar. With the approach of the Lunar New Year, Chinese people prepare ingredients and food they need for the New Year feast. Chicken is an indispensible dish.
臘月二十七是人們動手殺雞、上市場打年貨的日子。農曆新年即將到來，中國人開始準備新年團圓飯所需的食材，而雞肉是必不可少的一道菜。臘月二十八：題寫桃符
After people have cleaned the house and started preparing food, they begin decorating their homes creating an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity on the 28th day of the 12th month in the Lunar Calendar. Decorations include spring couplets, New Year pictures, posters of door gods and paper-cuts.
掃舍除塵、採購食材之後，人們開始於臘月二十八日裝飾房舍，營造喜氣洋洋的節日氛圍。各色裝飾品包括春聯、年畫、門神貼畫和剪紙。正月十五：夜照田蠶
The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is commonly celebrated as Yuan Xiao Jie, or Lantern Festival. The festivities of the Chinese New Year reach a climax on this day.
正月十五一般被稱爲元宵節或者燈節，中國新年慶祝活動在這一天達到頂峯。
Since early morning, dragon and lion dancers parade on streets crowded with people. In the evening families go out together to enjoy the full moon and appreciate colorful lanterns and also solve lantern riddles.
一大早，街上就擠滿了人羣，觀看舞龍舞獅。晚上，全家人會一同外出享受滿月，欣賞繽紛多彩的燈籠，一起猜燈謎。
Chinese people also eat yuan xiao, a traditional food made of glutinous rice flour which symbolizes family togetherness and reunion.
人們還會吃一種由糯米做成的傳統美食——元宵，寓意闔家團圓。
This day officially marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.
這一天往往爲中國新年慶祝活動劃上句點。
On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month people visit the graves of their ancestors to honor their memory. It is said Spring Festival originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the start of a new one.
臘月二十九，人們動身掃墓，拜祭祖先。據說春節始於商朝（公元前1600年至公元前1100年），那時人們在辭舊迎新之際祭祀神靈和祖先。大年三十：除夕守歲
Chinese people are supposed to stay up the whole night on the 30th day of the 12th month in the Lunar Calendar
臘月三十，人們熬夜守歲。
In Chinese mythology, a monster called nian would come out to harm people on New Year's Eve, so people get together, staying up and chatting, hoping for a peaceful passage of time. The custom of staying up (Chinese: shou tai sui) symbolizes the warding off of all diseases and disasters and wishing good luck in the New Year.
中國神話裏，一頭叫“年”的妖怪會在新年的前一夜跑出來傷害人類，因此人們聚在一起，守歲聊天，祈禱能平安度過這一晚。因此，中國人將新年前夕熬夜的習俗稱爲“守太歲”，意味着遠離疾病災禍，祈禱新年好運。
Chinese people attach great importance to the Spring Festival Eve, when all family members eat dinner together.
中國人十分重視除夕（即新年前一夜），彼時闔家團圓，共享團圓年夜飯。大年初一：金雞報曉
The first day of Chinese New Year, also known as the "day of chicken", officially begins at midnight.
午夜零點時分，人們正式跨入新年第一天，也叫“金雞報曉”。
It is traditional to light firecrackers and make as much of a din as possible to chase off the evil monster nian.
傳統習俗是，人們會燃放鞭炮，儘可能製造大的喧鬧聲趕走邪惡的妖怪“年”。
Most importantly the oldest and most senior members are visited with the visits strengthening family kinship.
最重要的習俗是，人們會拜訪家中最年長的長輩，以加強家人之間的親情。
Senior members of the family hand out red envelopes containing cash (Chinese: ya sui qian), a form of blessing and to suppress aging and the challenges of the coming year, to junior members of the family, mostly children and teenagers.
而家中的長輩會給晚輩（主要是兒童和青少年）紅包（中國人稱之壓歲錢），代表着對晚輩的祝福，也是祈禱自己在來年身體康健、萬事如意。正月十四：娘娘誕辰
The 14th day is the birthday of the Goddess of Linshui, who is believed to protect women from dying in childbirth. People make offerings to the goddess on this day.
正月十四是臨水娘娘的生日，臨水娘娘是拯救難產婦女的神仙。人們在這一天供奉臨水娘娘。正月十三：竈下點燈
On the 13th day, preparations for Lantern Festival continue.
正月十三，繼續準備元宵節。大年初二：金吠報春
On the second day, married daughters usually go back to their own family to visit parents, relatives and close friends. Traditionally, married daughters didn't have the opportunity to visit their birth families frequently.
初二，出嫁的女兒會回孃家給父母、親人和密友拜年。舊時，女兒出嫁後拜訪孃家父母的機會並不多。
Some believe the second day is also the birthday of all dogs and remember them with special treats.
還有一些人認爲初二是所有犬類的生日，因此要給它們好吃的以示慶祝。大年初三：肥豬拱門
On the third day, an old saying goes: "A fat pig at the door", meaning the arrival of good luck and happiness.
初三，有一句俗語“肥豬拱門”，預示着好運和幸福的到來。
Traditionally, the third day is known as "Chigou's Day". Chigou literally means "red dog", an epithet of "the God of Blazing Wrath", and it is considered an unlucky day to have guests or go visiting.
初三還有一個傳統俗稱是“赤狗日”。赤狗的意思是紅色的狗，是熛怒之神的綽號，因此人們認爲這一天不宜接客或出訪。
Folklore says the 3rd day is also "rat marriage day" (Chinese: lao shu qu qin), so people often go to bed earlier to give rats time for their wedding.
民間還傳說初三是老鼠娶親日，所以人們晚上會早早上牀歇息，騰出時間給老鼠們成親。大年初四：三羊開泰
The old saying "three rams bring bliss" is connected with the fourth day, which says that by making a good beginning a happy end comes.
初四則和俗語“三羊開泰”有關，意思是歲首吉利就預示着歲末幸福。
According to folklore, it is also the day to welcome back the Kitchen God. On this day, the Kitchen God would check the household and therefore people should not leave home.
民間還傳說這一日是迎回竈神的日子。這一天竈神會清點每家的人數，所以切忌外出離家。正月十二：搭建燈棚
Families buy lanterns and build a lantern shack on the 12th day.
家家戶戶會買燈籠，然後在正月十二建一個燈籠棚。正月十一：祭奉紫姑
People make offerings to Zi Gu, the guardian angel for weak women, on the 11th day.
正月十一，人們供奉紫姑，紫姑是可憐女子的守護神。
This day is also for Yuefu (fathers-in-law) to entertain Nuxu (sons-in-law).
這一天也是岳父宴請子婿的日子。
In many areas, after this day, people will start preparing for the upcoming Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day of the 1st month.
許多地方在這天之後會開始準備即將到來的燈節——正月十五。大年初五：艮牛耕春
The fifth day is also called the "day of cow". According to Chinese folklore, the first seven days of the 1st lunar month are respectively called "day of chicken", "day of dog", "day of pig", "day of sheep", "day of cow", "day of horse" and "day of man". When creating all living beings on earth, Nu Wa, a goddess in Chinese mythology, created the six creatures before human beings.
初五也被稱爲“牛日”。民間傳說正月頭七天分別是“雞日”、“犬日”、“豬日”、“羊日”、“牛日”、“馬日”和“人日”。中國傳統神話中的女神女媧在創造凡間生物時就是遵循了這個順序，在創造人類之前先創造了這六種生物。
The fifth day is also the God of Fortune's birthday and people will celebrate this day with a large banquet. This day is also commonly known as the Festival of Po Wu, literally breaking five. According to custom, it is believed that many New Year taboos can be broken on this day.
初五還是財神的生日，人們會舉辦盛宴以示慶祝。這天也被稱爲“破五日”，字面意思是打破數字五。根據習俗，許多新年禁忌過此日皆可破。大年初六：馬到成功
On the sixth day, people make wishes for "ma dao cheng gong", win success immediately upon arrival.
初六，人們祈禱“馬到成功”，意思是成功馬上就會到來。
According to tradition, families usually send away the Ghost of Poverty on this day. To send away him, Chinese people will usually throw away their ragged clothes, rubbish and other dirty things.
各家各戶在初六有送“窮鬼”的傳統。人們會扔掉破爛的衣服、垃圾和其他髒東西，預示送走窮鬼。
By doing this Chinese people wish to send away poverty and welcome the beautiful days and good luck in the New Year.
這個習俗寓意趕走貧窮，新的一年迎來好日子和好運氣。大年初七：人壽年豐
The seventh day is commonly referred as the "day of man", and in most parts of China people will eat noodles as they symbolize longevity in Chinese culture.
初七是“人日”，中國各地人民都會吃麪條，因爲麪條在中國文化裏寓意長壽。大年初十：祭石感恩
The 10th day is believed to be the birthday of the God of Stone which played a very important role in the agricultural society of ancient China.
初十被認爲是石頭神的生日，在古代中國的農業社會佔有非常重要的地位。
On this day, people are forbidden to move any stone, including stone rollers, stone mills and herb grinders, and should not cut into a mountain for rock or build a house with rocks, otherwise bad things will happen to the crops.
這一天切忌移動石頭，包括石碾、石磨、研磨器具等等，也不能開山採石或用岩石建房子，否則這年莊稼就會遭殃。
People also burn incense and candles for the stones and offer pancake to the God of Stone.
人們還會焚香、點蠟燭以供奉石頭，向石頭神上貢烤餅。大年初九：玉皇天誕
The ninth day is called Ti Kong Dan, or the birthday of the Jade Emperor. There will be grand ceremonies in Taoist temples on this day, and ordinary families also offer sacrifices to the Jade Emperor.
初九被稱爲“天公誕”，即玉帝的生日。這一天，道家寺廟會舉辦華麗隆重的慶典，尋常人家也會祭祀玉帝。大年初八：放生祈福
The eighth day is believed to be the birthday of millet, an important crop in ancient China.
初八被認爲是中國古代一種重要糧食——谷的生日。
According to folk proverbs, if this day is bright and clear the year will be a harvest year; however, if this day is cloudy or even rainy, the year will suffer from poor harvest.
根據民間俗語，這一天如果晴朗明亮就預示着大豐收，而如果多雲甚至下雨就預示着今年會歉收。
Meanwhile, people also set free captive animals on this day, with a blessing for all living beings to flourish in the New Year.
此外，這一天人們還會放生動物，祝福新的一年裏所有生物都繁榮興旺，生生不息。
