元宵节：赏灯约会，这才是真正的情人节
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其实，从历史上来说，元宵节才是我国真正意义上的情人节。 The Lantern Festival has been part of Chinese New Year celebrations since the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 221 AD). It is said that the holiday evolved from an ancient Chinese belief that celestial spirits could be seen flying about in the light of the first full moon of the lunar calendar. To aid them in their search for the spirits, people used torches. These torches gave way to lanterns of every shape, size and color. Despite the fact that most Chinese dynasties had curfews during the night, all the people were allowed to stay out on the days around the Lantern Festival. The Chinese women, who had to stay indoors for most of their lives, were permitted to admire the lanterns and the full moon on the day as well. Therefore, it was almost the only time for young men and women to meet with each other and fall in love, according to experts. The other evidence of the Lantern Festival being Chinese Valentine’s Day is recorded in Chinese literature. In the thousands of ancient poems passed on from the Tang and Song dynasties, many depicted ardent love for their partners. 比如，辛弃疾的这首《青玉案·元夕》。 青玉案·元夕 （宋）辛弃疾 东风夜放花千树，更吹落，星如雨。 宝马雕车香满路，凤萧声动，壶光转，一夜鱼龙舞。 蛾儿雪柳黄金缕，笑语盈盈暗香去。 众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在，灯火阑珊处。 The Lantern Festival Night - to the tune of Green Jade Table by Xin Qiji 许渊冲、许明译 One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers And blows down stars in showers. Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route; Music vibrates from the flute; The moon sheds its full light While fish and dragon lanterns dance all night. In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments, Giggling, she melts into the throng with trails of scents But in the crowd once and again I look for her in vain. When all at once I turn my head, I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed. 元宵节的其他习俗 猜灯谜 Part of the lantern festival tradition involves a game to guess riddles attached to the lanterns. In the old days the riddles were literary allusions to the Chinese classics and so were mainly the preserve of the educated classes.
到了现代，猜灯谜自然是每个人都能参与的节日游戏。我们在这里列几个中文和英文灯谜，看看你能猜出多少。（答案见文末） 英文灯谜 Why is the letter E so important? What clothing is always sad? What is higher without a head than with a head? What stays hot even if put in a refrigerator? 中文灯谜 思（打一字） 丰收（打一字） 足球门（打一成语） 乖（打一成语） 举重比赛（打一成语） 吃元宵（汤圆）
Like most Chinese festivals, the Lantern Festival has its own special food, called "yuanxiao" or "tangyuan". These are round, glutinous rice dumplings with sweet or saly fillings. The dumplings are said to symbolize both the first full moon and family unity and completeness. 舞龙舞狮
Stilt-walking, drumming and dragon and lion dancing are all traditional forms of festival entertainment. In Asia, it is not uncommon to see processions of hundred-foot long dragons, lit with flashing eyes and luminous bodies, accompanied by pounding drums, cymbals and brass instruments. Today, the connotation of love in the festival has been almost lost, as young couples could date whenever they want and women are no longer confined indoors. But the lantern shows remain the focus of the festival. 祝大家元宵节快乐！
英文灯谜答案 Because it is the beginning of everything. Blue jeans. A pillow. Pepper. 中文灯谜答案 十 移 网开一面 乘人不备 斤斤计较 |
