Nine Holiday Signatures of East and West

When Christmas meets Chinese New Year, happiness comes together.

中国新年

Chinese New Year

大扫除

Spring Cleaning

赶在大年初一之前，人们通过大扫除“洗旧迎新”，迎接新年。 Signifying “removing the old and welcome the new”, people will do a thorough cleaning of the house before the first day of Lunar New Year.

守岁

Shou Sui

除夕夜全家看着春节联欢晚会，熬夜一起迎接农历新年的到来。 All family members get together, watch CCTV New Year’s gala, and stay up late to welcome the New Year.

包饺子

Homemade dumplings

大年初一这天，几乎家家户户都要吃饺子。 Chinese people will make lucky dumplings for the reunion dinner. People will put a coin in a dumpling, the one who eats it is supposed to get good fortune in the coming new year.

送红包

Red Pockets

长辈送红包给晚辈，含有祝福晚辈平安吉祥的寓意。 Given by elders to the young children. It is believed that the money in the red pocket will bring best wishes to the children.

贴春联

The Spring Couplet

每当春节将近，家家户户都在大门两边贴上崭新的春联，表达对新年美好的愿望。 The spring couplet is written in black calligraphy on red paper, one half affixed vertically to each side of a door as a Spring Festival decoration, and symbolizes a prosperous new year.

圣诞节

Christmas

圣诞树

Christmas Tree

当圣诞来临前，人们就会早早地搬出圣诞树，将新年愿望同可爱的装饰品一起悬挂在它长长的枝桠上。 Families get together and decorate a Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments.

互赠礼物

Gift Giving

亲友们互相赠送礼物来传递美好的祝愿也让圣诞成为名副其实的购物季。 Gifts are exchanged between families and friends. Christmas shopping has become an overwhelming tradition during the season.

除夕夜大餐

Christmas Eve Feast

火腿、火鸡和烤牛肉是圣诞餐桌上必不可少的经典菜肴。 A spread of Christmas classic dishes like roasted ham, turkey, and roast beef are commonly found on the dinner table.

教堂祈祷

Church

作为耶稣诞生的纪念日，圣诞对于基督文化影响下的西方国家尤为重要。每当圣诞来临，基督徒们就会来到教堂祈祷，感谢上帝为世界带来和平，为人们带来恩赐。 Christians observe and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through traditions within a particular church or denomination.

举家团聚

Family

圣诞当日，举家欢聚，载着新年的愿景一同庆祝这个美好的节日。 Getting together and spending time with loved ones is the biggest tradition of the holiday season.

Read more:  The Asian Magazine | Nov/Dec Issue