What is Chinese lunar new year?

Another year of good fortune is beginning in China. Fireworks pop higher in the sky.

Dragon dance in the streets and the city slows down to celebrate Chinese New Year.

In Chinese culture it's the most important time of the year. Rooted in traditions and customs passed down through the ages.

The celebration lasts for 15 magical days full of family togetherness delicious food and good fortune. Today Chinese New Year is built with happiness but according to legend it didn't start out that way.

A long long time ago in China there was a big scary nasty Beast named Nian, whose name means year. He had razor-sharp teeth giant claws and really mean growl.

Most of the time he lived in the wilderness but in the darkest night of the year when the new moon was in the sky he would sneak into the village and scare everyone in sight. Even the animals.

People dreaded the new moon for many many years until a wiseman taught them the three things Nian was afraid of. Loud noises fire and the color red.

The next time Nian came the villagers fought back. They hit their drums as loud as they could lit every firecracker they had and wore the color red from head to toe.

Nian ran far away and never came back. After that the people started celebrating the new moon instead of fearing it. That celebration became a 15 day festival of family food and good fortune called Chinese New Year.

Every Chinese New Year is always represented by one of twelve animals and the Chinese Zodiac chosen by the Jade Emperor centuries and centuries ago.

According to legend a long time ago in China the Jade Emperor held a great race. The first twelve animals to reach his palace would be the winners and they would each get a year named after them in their honor.

During the race the Ox was winning until he had to cross the rushing river the Rat was right behind him and couldn't swim very well so the kind Ox let the Rat ride on his back.

As soon as they got to the other side the Rat jumped off and scurried to the finish line to win the race. That's why the first year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar is a year of the Rat.

Eleven other animals reach the palace to create the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. It's said that the animal your birth year is named after can shape your personality and destiny. You might be honest like a Dagon or smart like a Monkey.

When your animal takes its turn in the Zodiac cycle legend has it that your year will be full of surprises. But no matter what generally you are everyone is excited to honor these ancient traditions even in modern New Year celebrations.

Today Chinese New Year brings families together all over the world. In fact billions of people travel back to their homes and families in China to feast on a delicious reunion dinner with plates and plates of homemade food.

Many of the foods like egg rolls noodles and shrimp mean something special. Egg rolls symbolize wealth for the coming year because they look like bars of solid gold.

Chow mein noodles shouldn't be cut because long noodle symbolize health for a long life.

Shrimp symbolizes happiness because the Mandarin words for shrimp and smile sounds very similar.

As part of the festivities lucky red envelopes called hong bao are passed out to children as well as unmarried adults. In

Chinese culture the color red symbolizes luck.

In order to receive the red envelopes well, wishes are given to the eldest. Money is inside each envelope to bring prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.

During all 15 days of Chinese New Year, it is a time to reflect on the passing year and celebrate the future. Bright fireworks light up the sky and huge parades line the streets until the final day of the New Year celebration the Lantern Festival and thousands of red lanterns glow in the night to bring good fortune to all.

No matter where you live you can join the festivities.

Whether it's one reunion dinner with your family or 15 days of celebrating togetherness. Chinese New Year is open to everyone Where good fortune smiles.

中国一年的好运又开始了，烟花在天空中高高地飞舞。大街上舞龙舞狮，整个城市都放慢节奏迎接新年的。

在中国文化中，这是一年中最重要的时刻，根植于代代相传的传统和习俗。庆祝活动将持续15天，尽是家庭团聚，美味的食物以及好运。如今，春节是幸福祥和的，但是根据传说，一开始可不是这样的。

很久以前在中国，有一个巨大可怕的怪兽叫“年兽”，它的名字的意思是年的意思。它有锋利的牙齿，巨大的爪子，还会发出凶狠的咆哮。

它大部分时间住在荒野里，但在一年中最黑暗的夜晚，也就是新月亮高高挂在天空的时候，它会溜进村子里，把视线范围内的所有人甚至是动物全都吓跑。

多年来，人们一直害怕新月之夜，直到一个智者告诉他们“年兽”害怕的三件事：巨大的噪音，火焰和红色。下次“年兽”来了，村民们奋起反抗。他们使劲敲鼓，点燃了所有的爆竹，从头到脚都穿着红色的衣服。“年兽”跑得很远，再也没有回来。

在那之后，人们开始庆祝新月而不再害怕它。到后来，这个庆祝活动演变成为了一个15天的节假日，让大家享受家庭，食物以及好运，这个节日就称为“中国新年”。

每一个中国新年总是由十二种动物中的一种来代表，这十二种动物被称为12生肖，他们是由玉皇大帝很久以前选择出来的。

据说很久以前在中国，玉皇大帝举行了一场盛大的比赛。最先到达他宫殿的12只动物将是胜利者。每个胜利者将得到以他们名字命名一年的荣耀。

在比赛期间，牛一直在领先，直到他不得不越过一条湍急的河流。老鼠正好在他后面，但是不太会游泳。于是善良的老年让老鼠骑在它的背上。他们一到对岸，老鼠跳了下来，急忙跑到终点线，赢了比赛。这就是为什么鼠是十二生肖之首。本文由精彩英语演讲整理而成，转载请注明出处，否则一律举报处理。

其他11只动物到达宫殿，形成了中国的12生肖周期。据说你出生年份所处的生肖可以塑造你的性格与命运。你可以像龙一样正直，也可以像猴子一样聪明。当轮到你的本命年的时候，传说这一年将充满惊喜。

但是不管你是哪种生肖，每个人都很兴奋去纪念这些古老的传统，即使是在现代的新年庆祝活动也是如此。今天，中国的新年把世界各地的家庭聚集在一起。

数亿的中国人回到家人身边，吃一盘盘的家乡味道的食物，享受美味的年夜饭。作为庆祝的一部分，“红包”作为幸运红包会分发给孩子们。中国文化中，红色象征着幸运。

为了更好地收到红包，祝福送给最年长的人。每个信封里都装着钱，为来年带来繁荣和好运。

在中国农历新年的15天里，这是一个回顾过去的一年，庆祝未来的时刻。明亮的烟花照亮了天空，巨大的游行队伍排列在街道上，直到新年的最后一天庆祝元宵节，成千上万的红色灯笼在晚上发光，给所有人带来好运。

无论你住在哪里，你都可以参加庆祝活动。

无论是和家人吃一顿团圆饭，还是庆祝15天的团聚。好运在微笑的地方就是，每个人都是欢迎来庆祝中国新年的。