It may sound strange, but it is true: few Chinese can tell when the Chinese New
Year is each year, without referring to a Chinese calendar.
A Chinese calendar consists of both the Western Gregorian system and a lunarsolar system. The Chinese lunar-solar system divides a year into twelve months
of twenty-nine or thirty days. Adding a leap month every seven years, it
coordinates with the Western calendar.
The Chinese New Year is popularly known as the 'Spring Festival' because it
starts with the beginning of spring. Its origin is too old to be traced, but several
legends claim that the word nian (year) was originally the name of a monster
that started to prey on people the night before the beginning of a Chinese New
Year. However, one day, an old man came to their rescue and defeated the
monster. Then, he mounted the beast and left, advising the people to put up red
paper decorations and to burn bamboo sticks before a new year. He said this
would prevent Nian from sneaking back, for he feared red. The tradition of
observing the conquest of the beast has been carried on. Today, the custom of
pasting red paper and lighting fireworks is still going strong. Most people feel
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the colour and sound add to the excitement of the celebration.
New Year’s Eve is observed with a grand supper. As they wait for midnight, the
whole family has fun playing cards or board games. When the clock strikes
twelve, the entire sky is lit up with fireworks. The light and noise can make the
whole place look and sound like a war zone.
People stay up the whole night with as many lights lit as possible. They believe
that gods visit them and bring good luck. They fear that the gods may not be
able to find their way in darkness.
At daybreak, children greet their parents and receive cash gifts wrapped in red
paper. Then family members go door to door, extending greetings, first to
relatives and then to neighbours. The visits provide a great opportunity for
reconciliation. Old grudges are easily cast aside when the air is filled with
warmth, friendliness and forgiveness.
The New Year celebration ends fifteen days later. This is called the Festival of
Lanterns, marked by lantern shows and folk dances. This festival marks the
end of the New Year season and life returns to normal again.
1. A. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer ANY FOUR of the
following questions.
1. What do some legends say about 'nian'?
2. What was the old man's advice?
3. Why does a Chinese New Year night sound like a war zone?
4. Why do people stay up all night with their lights on?
5. How do the door to door visits on New Year’s Day help?
Answers
Answer:
1- legends claim that the word nian (year) was originally the name of a monster
that started to prey on people the night before the beginning of a Chinese New
Year.
2- he mounted the beast and left, advising the people to put up red
paper decorations and to burn bamboo sticks before a new year. He said this
would prevent Nian from sneaking back, for he feared red.
3-When the clock strikes
twelve, the entire sky is lit up with fireworks. The light and noise can make the
whole place look and sound like a war zone.
4-People stay up the whole night with as many lights lit as possible. They believe
that gods visit them and bring good luck. They fear that the gods may not be
able to find their way in darkness.
5-The visits provide a great opportunity for
reconciliation. Old grudges are easily cast aside when the air is filled with
warmth, friendliness and forgiveness.
Answer:
1. legends claim that the word 'nian' was originally the name of a monster that started to prey on people the night before the beginning of a chinese new year.
2. the old man mounted the beast and left, advising the people to put up red paper decorations and to burn bamboo sticks before a new year.
3. when the clock strikes 12, the entire sky is lit up with fireworks. the light and noise can make the whole place look and sound like a war zone.
4. people stay up the whole night with as many lights lit as possible because they believe that gods visit them and bring good luck.