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probably more food is consumed during the new year celebrations than any other time of the year. vast amounts of traditional food is prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have died.
on new years day, the chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them.
other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. the chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.
in south china, the favorite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice（糯米）pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed（芦苇）leaves), another popular delicacy.
in the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. the tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.
the 15-day celebration of chinese new year 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.
正月十五闹元宵，红红火火过大年。一年一度的元宵节来临啦。看家家户户都洋溢着红彤彤的笑脸来迎接元宵节的到来。有的人家不仅只挂着大红西瓜灯笼，而且还有孔明灯、绢灯、橘灯各式各样、丰富多彩。把整个上烟村照的如同白天一样。看礼堂这边更热闹，花灯更漂亮。这儿琳琅满目的花灯使人眼花缭乱，看都看不过来。看那桃灯，粉红的底色，桃尖上涂点红色，桃底有翠绿的大叶子，真是既漂亮又简单。看那金猪灯，制作好框架后，用闪闪发亮的金纸糊住框架，这样一个金猪就立刻展现在了眼前，再看那已过了时的扇灯，虽说它过了时，可还是那么青春年华那么有风度、有气魄。还有真是一言难尽啊！呵！还有多姿多彩的爆竹，从天而炸，仿佛使天空炸开一个洞，满天的星星从天空一下撒了下来。快看啊！五彩的烟花从天而降，一下子照亮了整个上烟村。这时，在场的人都惊呆啦，这情景多么壮观，多么美丽啊！
还真有些飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天的味道。渐渐的火花飞走了，天空又一下子变暗了，刚才那一番情景，就如同梦般在我的脑海里回荡。听，一阵阵锣鼓声不断的吸引着我，使我不得不来转一转这迷魂阵九曲黄河，我来到阵口一瞧，一边引人耳目的写着入口，一边大大的写着出口，我便从入口走进了阵中，阵阵锣鼓声敲打着我幼小的心灵，我抵不住诱惑，不由自主的双脚生风超越了前面的人，蹦跳着走完了这迷魂阵九曲黄河。我在这浓浓的喜庆之中，度过了一个欢欢喜喜的元宵节。我看到的元宵节真美啊！不过我相信在这个发达的祖国里，今后的元宵节一定会更好、更灿烂、更辉煌！
六年级:孙泽洲