The Spring Festival, the Chinese lunar New Year, is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and generally occurs some time in the first half of February. Customarily, lavishly consuming food and drink is a major activity. In addition to the popular seafood, poultry and meat, regional custom dictates the preparation and consumption of traditional favorites, for example, jiaozi (boiled dumplings) in Beijing, babaofan (a steamed sweet glutinous rice pudding) in Shanghai, and the soup of small rice-balls (cooked with pork and chicken) in Guangzhou. Throughout China, niangao (literally meaning the "year cake", a thick steamed pudding of glutinous rice flour) is made in a great vatiety of shapes and flavors. The character gao in the word niangao is homonymous with the word "tall", suggesting "growing up and prospering" in the new year.
春节是中国的农历新年，春节的日期按农历而定，通常出现在公历2月前半期的某一天。大吃大喝历来是春节的主要内容。除了常见的海鲜、家禽和肉类之外，人们还要按各自的地方习俗烹制一些传统菜肴，例如北京的饺子、上海的八宝饭和广州的米羹。全国各地都可以见到形态各异、口味不一的年糕。“年糕”这个词里的“糕”字与“高”谐音，寓意来年“节节高”。

现在人们流行在除夕夜发短信互送祝福，那么，都有那些不错的英文祝福语呢？
送给父母：
Mom and Dad: Thank you for everything this holiday season!爸爸妈妈：值此佳节，感谢您们所给予的一切。
I wish I were home for the holidays.但愿我能回家共度佳节。
Warmest thoughts and best wishes from your daughter.寄上无限的思念和最美好的祝愿，你们的女儿。
May you have the best season ever.愿你过个最愉快的节日。
A New year greeting to cheer you from your daughter.愿女儿的祝福带给您欢乐。

送给老师：
We won't forget you this holiday season.假期里，我们不会忘记您的。
Thank you for your hard work and patience on this holiday season.值此佳节，谨对您的辛勤栽培表示感谢。
I look forward to your class after the new year.我期待着新年过后，再上您的课。
It's really a shame we can't be together at that moment.我们不能在一起过春节真是太遗憾了。
Best wishes for you and your family.祝福您及您的家人。

送给上司/长辈：
To Grandpa and Grandma happy new year!献给爷爷奶奶：新年快乐！
Best wishes for a wonderful new year.献上最诚挚的祝福，祝您新年愉快。
May joy and health be with you always.祝您永远健康快乐。
May happiness follow you wherever you go!愿您幸福快乐，直到永远永远。
From all of us in sales: Happy New Year!我们销售部全体人员祝您圣诞快乐！
Your entire staff wishes you and yours a most happy new year.全体职员祝您及家人圣诞快乐。

送给朋友：
Happy new year, my best friend.祝我的挚友新年快乐。
A New Year greeting to cheer you, my good friend.希望新年祝福给你带来欢乐，我的好朋友。
Take your passion and make it come true.发挥你的热情，让理想变为现实。
Best of luck in the year to come.愿你在未来的一年里，吉星高照。
To wish you special joy at the holidays and all year.祝你在节日和新的一年中享有无限的快乐。

Time：2008-2-2　Back