As the spring comes, the world comes back to life. Chinese people call this time Jingzhe, or the Awakening of Insects. It's one of the 24 solar terms (节气) in the Chinese lunar calendar. When Jingzhe comes, it begins to thunder(打雷) and everything in the nature begins to 1 . As the temperature rises and more rain starts to fall, insects appear. Not just insects, 2 also show changes—grass breaks ground and out, flowers 3 .
Chinese farmers put a high value on Jingzhe, 4 it means the start of spring plowing (春耕). Farmers gets even 5 than before. They are busy plowing fields.
Here are some fun 6 about Jingzhe. In some old Chinese stories, a white tiger, always bites (咬) people during Jingzhe. People draw the white tiger on paper, and then put some meat in its mouth. The purpose of 7 the white tiger is to prevent the tiger from biting people. Peope in some areas eat pears on Jingzhe. Pears are sweet and juicy. They think 8 eating pears can stop us coughing. What's more, it is said that the god of thunder beats his 9 to make spring thunder during Jingzhe. To 10 him, people on the earth also beat the drums.
You may have known about many traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival or the Lantern Festival, but have you ever heard of Dragon Heads-raising Day?
Dragon Heads-raising Day is also called the Spring Dragon Festival. It is on the second day of the second lunar (农历) month. It's on February 21st this year. It came from an old story. After that day, the Dragon King will wake up from his winter sleep and bring more rain. So that day is the start of spring and farming season.
One of the most interesting things related to the day is about haircut. People believe that a haircut during the first lunar month is not a good idea. It may bring bad things to your uncles. So people can only cut it on or after Dragon Heads-raising Day. Although it's not true, many people still do it.
There are also other ways to celebrate this festival. For example, people eat food with dragon names. People call noodles dragon's beard (胡须). Dumplings are dragon's ears and spring rolls (春卷) are dragon's scales (鳞).
People also do dragon dances and make dragon lanterns. The lanterns stand for people's best wishes and good luck.
Chinese New Year is one of (important) celebrations in the Chinese calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival because it celebrates the start of new life and the season for (plant) crops.
Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and it doesn't end the moon is the brightest 15 days later.
Just before Chinese New Year, people clean the houses. They decorate them with pieces of paper with words meaning "Happiness"and "Wealth" written on them. Some couplets (对联) (put) on the front door. On Chinese New Year's Eve, families get together and have an unusual meal (happy). Of course, the popular food is dumplings.
Chinese New Year lasts fifteen days, so during these days, people always visit their relatives and friends. It is a good time to relax (they). Children always feel excited because they can get some (luck) money wrapped in red envelopes.
One of the most interesting parts of Chinese New Year (be) the dragon dance or lion dance. dragons made out of paper, silk and bamboo are really lively. Chinese people think of dragons as helpful, friendly animals which symbolize long life wisdom. At the same time people also like to set off fireworks to welcome the new year.
