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the first day of the lunar new year is the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth.many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
on the second day, the chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. they are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
the third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
the fifth day is called po woo. on that day people stay home to welcome the god of wealth. no one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
on the sixth to the 10th day, the chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. they also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
the seventh day of the new year is the day for farmers to display their produce. these farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. the seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
on the eighth day the fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to tian gong, the god of heaven.
the ninth day is to make offerings to the jade emperor.
the 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. after so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
the 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the lantern festival which is to be held on the 15th night.
the festival of lanterns takes place at the end of the chinese new year celebration, on the fifteenth day of the first moon. lanterns have been part of chinese life for centuries so its not surprising to see a festival of lanterns.
people usually hang lanterns in the gardens, outside the houses, and on the boats. these lanterns are signposts to guide guests and spirits of ancestors to the lunar celebration. after a sumptuous fifteen-day feast, these lanterns light the way for the spirits back to the world beyond.
silk, paper and plastic lanterns vary in shape and size and are usually multi-colored. some are in the shapes of butterflies, birds, flowers, and boats. other are shaped like dragon, fruit and animal symbols of that year. the most popular type of lantern is the horse-racing one, in which figures or animals rotate around the vertical axis of the lantern.
the special food for the lantern festival is yuen sin or tong yuen. these are round dumplings made with sticky rice flour. they can be filled and served as a sweet snack or made plain and cooked in a soup with vegetables, meat and dried shrimp. the round shape of the dumpling is a symbol of wholeness, completeness and unity.
the lantern festival is an occasion for families to get together and for everyone--young, old, rich and poor to have fun.
恰巧今天刚下过一场大雪，广场上那五彩缤纷的灯衬托着银色的雪，显得更加壮观。十五的夜晚虽然有几分寒意，但广场上却是春意盎然。只见广场上热闹的人群摩肩接踵，人挨人，肩挨肩，喜气洋洋。
今天是正月十五元宵节，皓月当空，银光洒地，我和爸爸晚饭后怀着急切的心情到市民广场上观灯。
恰巧今天刚下过一场大雪，广场上那五彩缤纷的灯衬托着银色的雪，显得更加壮观。十五的夜晚虽然有几分寒意，但广场上却是春意盎然。只见广场上热闹的人群摩肩接踵，人挨人，肩挨肩，喜气洋洋。
广场上挂着一盏盏千姿百态的灯笼，我身临灯海，令我眼花缭乱，目不暇接。你看，那热人喜爱的荷花灯，被一朵朵美丽的荷花包裹着，如果你在远处看一定以为是真正的荷花呢！只见载人飞船在广场上即将发射，好不壮观。衬托在月光下，福娃们都个个栩栩如生，就像是真的一样，好像跳下来要和我玩耍、嬉戏......
正当我们陶醉在灯海里时，只听轰隆隆巨响，一颗颗五颜六色的礼花直冲云霄，礼花冲空中散作漫天的星光，向我们扑面而来。我最喜欢的要算从礼花里绽放出来的小红灯笼，它们带着祝福飘向大地......
礼炮声和孩子们的兴奋地叫喊声是灯会显得更加热闹，让我流连忘返。