CNN報道的關於中國新年的一些事實
Here's some background information about Chinese New Year, the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
以下是一些關於中國新年（春節）的介紹，春節中國農曆節慶裏持續時間最長也是最爲重要的節日。Facts:
事實：January 31, 2014 - The Chinese year 4712 is scheduled to begin.
2014年1月31日是中華紀年法——中元4712年的開始。
2014 is the year of the Horse.
2014年是馬年。The Chinese New Year is celebrated during the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually between Jan. 21 and Feb. 19 on the Gregorian calendar.
中國的新年一般在冬至後第二個新月的時候慶祝，在公曆年1月21日到2月19日之間。Chinese New Year festivities begin on the 1st day of the month and continues until the 15th, when the moon is full.
中國的春節從正月初一開始一直持續到十五月圓的時候。Chinese legend holds that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on New Year's Day and named a year after each of the twelve animals that came.
中國有這樣的傳說：佛讓所有的動物在新年時去參拜他並且依照12個前來拜見動物的次序，爲每一年冠名。The animals in the Chinese calendar are the dog, pig/boar, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, and rooster.
這些動物是中國的生肖分別是：狗、豬、鼠、牛、虎、兔、龍、蛇、馬、羊、猴、雞。Also according to legend, people born in each animal's year have some of that animal's personality traits.
另外中國還有一個傳說那就是哪一生肖年出生的人就具備哪種動物的性格特徵。Traditions:
傳統：Each day of the fifteen-day celebration has its own traditions, such as visiting in-laws or staying home to welcome good fortune.
春節15天，天天有不同的習俗：比如哪天該走親訪友、哪天該待着家裏等好運臨門。Fireworks displays during Chinese New Year stem from a custom of lighting bamboo stalks on fire to ward off evil spirits. In China, families gather together for meals, especially for a feast on New Year's Eve.
春節放煙花爆竹的風俗起源於中國一個古老的傳統：舉着點着的竹子游行驅趕惡鬼壞運氣。在中國，家家戶戶聚在一起進餐，特別是在除夕之夜。Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival, celebrated at night with displays and parades of painted lanterns.
中國的春節以元宵節結尾，人們在元宵節晚上走上街頭賞花燈。The highlight of the Lantern Festival is the Dragon Dance. Beautiful dragons made of paper, silk and bamboo are held overhead, and appear to dance as they make their way along the parade routes.
元宵節的重頭戲是舞龍表演。美麗的龍是用紙、絲綢以及竹子製作而成。表演的人們將龍舉過頭頂，一邊舞動一邊沿着遊行隊伍前進。
