大学英语四级翻译新题型

《大学英语四级翻译新题型》由会员上传分享，免费在线阅读，更多相关内容在教育资源-天天文库。

大学英语四级翻译新题型在中国月饼是一种特殊的食品，广受海内外华人的欢迎。中秋吃月饼就好比圣诞节吃馅饼(mincepies)。为了庆祝中秋节，中国人通常做两件事：一是观赏满月。二是品尝美味的月饼。中秋节是每年农历八月十五日。据说，这一天的月亮是一年中最圆的。而月亮正是庆贺中秋的全部主题。在中国人眼中，月饼象征着全家人的大团圆。参考译文：MooncakesareaspecialkindoffoodinChina.TheyareverypopularwiththeChineseathomeandabroad.MooncakesaretoMid-AutumnFestivalwhatmincepiesaretoChristmas.TocelebrateMid-AutumnFestival,Chineseusuallydotwothings:enjoythefullmoonandeatdeliciousmooncakes.Mid-AutumnFestivalfallsonthe15thdayofthe8thmonthofthelunarcalendar.Itisthetimewhenthemoonissaidtobeatitsbrightestandfullest.Andthemooniswhatthiscelebrationisallabout.IntheeyesoftheChinesepeople,amooncakesymbolizesthereunionofallfamilymembers.讲解：第二句中的“……就好比”可以用“……slike…”，但译文中所用句型更好地表达这个含义。如：“智力之于大脑，犹如视力之于躯体。“Intellectistothemindwhatsightistothebody.”由于香港的战略位置，面向国际的商业氛围，和优越的通讯条件，使她成为世界贸易的活动中心和亚太地区的神经中枢。香港已和世界上170个国家和地区的公司有商业往来。与亚洲其他国家和地区的贸易大幅度增长。香港的集装港口是世界上最繁忙的，而且还在进一步扩建。虽然香港开始成为世界金融中心还是最近二十年的事，但现在海外贷款已占到香港银行提供的总贷款的一半以上。当这颗东方明珠重新回到中国的掌上时，中国人民眼中的香港未来比过去任何时候都更加光明灿烂。参考译文HongKongatinyislandperchedonthetipofSouthernChinaplaysapivotalroleinanincreasinglyglobalizedeconomy.Givenitsstrategiclocationinternationallyo2.传统艺术皮影戏又称“影子戏”。它是中国著名民间戏剧形式之一。表演时艺人通常一边演唱一边操纵用兽皮或纸板制作的人物形象。它们的影子通过灯光出现在帘布上。这营造了有人物在活动的幻象。有时表演者需要控制三到四个偶人。皮影戏在我国历史悠久，元代时还曾传到世界上很多国家，迷倒了不少国外戏迷，被人们亲切地称为“中国影灯”。参考译文Theshadowpuppetplay,alsoknownas‘shadowplay’,isoneofChina’sfamousfolkoperaforms.Duringtheperformance,playersusuallysingwhileholing/manipulatinghumanfigures,whichare

1madeofanimalskinandpaperboard.Theshadowsofthosehumanfiguresarereflectedonacurtainthroughthelight.Thiscreatestheillusionofmovingimages.Sometimestheperformerneedstocontrolthreeorfourpuppets.ShadowpuppetplayenjoysalonghistoryinChina.ItwasintroducedtomanycountriesduringtheYuanDynastyandattractedmanyforeignaudience.TheycalltheartformChineseshadowplay.3.社交饥渴手机，是一项伟大的发明。但很显然，手机也刷新了人与人的关系。会议室门口通常贴着一条公告：请与会者关闭手机。可是，会议室里手机铃声仍然响成一片。我们都是普通人，并没有多少特别重要的事情。尽管如此，我们也不会轻易关掉手机。打开手机象征着我们与这个世界的联系。显然，手机反映出我们的“社交饥渴症”。(thirstforsocialization)参考译文Thecellphoneisagreatinvention.Butobviously,Ithasalteredtherelationshipamongpeople.Thereisusuallyanoticeonthedoorofthemeetingroom,whichreads,“Pleaseturnoffyourhand-set.”However,phonesringnowandthenwhenthemeetinggoeson.Wearebutordinarypeopleandhavefewurgenciestotacklewith.Nevertheless,wewillnotswitchoffourphoneseasily.Phones-onsymbolizesourconnectingwiththisworld.Obviously,cellphonehasbeenreflectingour“thirstforsocialization”.4.北京介绍北京是座有三千年历史的古城。早在公元前十一世纪，北京就是燕国的国都，因此北京有燕京之称。在以后的几千年里，北京又成为金、元、明、清各朝的国都。北京是中国的六大古都之一，其他五个是西安、南京、洛阳、开封和杭州。北京是座既古老又年轻的城市，有许多名胜古迹。从故宫、天坛到颐和园，你们可以看到北京保留了许多昔日的风采。参考译文Beijingisanancientcitywithahistoryof3,000years.Asearlyasthe11thcentury,B.C.,itwasthecapitaloftheKingdomofYan;that'swhyBeijingisalsoknownasYanjing.Inthefewthousandyearsafterwards,BeijingagainservedasthecapitalfortheJin,Yuan,Ming,andQingdynasties.BeijingisoneofChina'ssixancientcapitals;theotherfiveareXi’an，Nanjing,Luoyang,Kaifeng,andHangzhou.Beijingisacitybotholdandyoung,withmanyplacesofhistoricalinterestandscenicbeauty.FromtheForbiddenCity,theTempleofHeaven,andtheSummerPalace,youcanseethatBeijinghasretainedalotofcolorofoldChineselife.5.生活习惯

2多少年来，我养成了一个习惯：每天早晨四点在黎明以前起床工作。我不出去跑步或散步，而是一下床就干活儿。因此我对黎明前的北京的了解是在屋子里感觉到的。我从前在什么报上读过一篇文章，讲黎明时分天安门广场上的清洁工人。那情景必然是非常动人的，可惜我从未能见到，只是心向往之而已。参考译文Formanyyears,Ihavebeeninthehabitofgettingupbeforedaybreaktostartworkatfour.Insteadofgoingoutforajogorwalk,I’llsetaboutmyworkassoonasI’moutofbed.Asaresult,itisfrominsidemystudythatI'vegotthefeelofpredawnBeijing.Yearsago,IhituponanewspaperarticleaboutstreetcleanersinTian’anmenSquareatdaybreak.Itmusthavebeenaverymovingscene,butwhatapityIhaven’tseenitwithmyowneyes.Icanonlypictureitinmymindlongingly.6.保护动物目前，人类的生存环境正在遭到破坏，美丽的大自然已经不那么美丽了。保护野生动物，也就是保护人类自己。我强烈呼吁：不要再捕杀黑猩猩，不要再捕杀野生动物了，让我们人类多一些地球上的朋友，多给我们下一代保留一些野生动物吧!否则，地球将毁灭在人类手中，人类将毁灭在自己手中。参考译文Atpresent,man’slivingenvironmentisbeingruined,andbeautifulnatureisnolongersobeautiful.Protectionofwildlifeisprotectionofmanhimself.SoIappealstronglytoalltostopkillingthechimpanzeeoranyotherwildanimal.Letushumanbeingshavemorefriendsontheearth,andleavemorewildlifeforfuturegenerations.Ortheearthwouldbedestroyedbyman,andmanbymanhimself.7.学习英语到中国来旅游观光的人很少不会注意到中国人学习英语的劲头。公园里有专门的英语角，老老少少会定期聚在一起操练。马路上外国游客常常被学习英语的人围住交谈，从天气到政治，无所不谈。各种英语班如雨后春笋在到处出现。参考译文FewvisitorstoChinawillfailtonoticetheeagernessoftheChinesetolearnEnglish.2)InpublicparkstherearespecialcornerswhereEnglishlearnersoldandyounggatheratregulartimetopractisetheirspokenEnglish.3)ForeignvisitorsareoftenbesiegedonstreetsbyEnglishlearnerswhowanttotalkwiththeminEnglishabutanythingfromweathertopolitics.4)Englishclassesaremushroomingacrosstheland.8.发明创造

3过去50年其实并不是发明创新的黄金时期。从1900年到1950年，改变人类生活的发明有汽车、飞机、电话、收音机、电视机——当然还有核武器和计算机。而近50年来，只有为数不多的发明。难道发明的源泉已经枯竭了吗？答案并非如此。事实上，发明的新时代刚刚开始。参考译文Actuallythelastfiftyyearswasnotthegoldenageofinventionandinnovation.From1900to1950,humanlifewastransformedbysuchinventionascars,aeroplanes,telephones,radiosandtelevisionsets,nottomentionnuclearweaponsandthecomputerofcourse.Intherecent50yearssinceonlyafewinventionshavebeenmade,wasthewellspringofinventiondryingup?Notlikely.Indeed,anewageofinventionisjustbeginning.9.电脑技术有些人担心电脑技术的广泛使用会进一步恶化就业形势。但另一种观点认为尽管这对个人来说会丢掉饭碗，对整个社会来说由于提高了生产率，因而有利于经济的发展。不管对社会影响如何，有一点是肯定的：有技术的人变得越来越吃香，没技术的人工作越来越难找。参考译文Somepeopleareworryingthatthewideuseofcomputertechnologywillcausefurtherunemployment.Anotherargumenthoweverholdsthatalthoughsomeindividualswilllosetheirjobssocietyasawholewillbenefiteconomicallythroughincreasesinproductivity.Despiteitseffectsonsocietyonethingiscertain:thetechnicallytrainedwillbecomeevermorevaluablewhilethejobsfortheblue-collarpopulationwillbecomelessavailable.10.个人集体不管是在一个公司，还是在一个政府里，重大的决定总是个人作出的，而不是集体。我们需要集体的讨论，因为可以交流看法和经验。但是集体讨论不能代替个人的作用。理由很清楚，如要作出一个重大的决定，集体总是不能对迅速变化的事件作出同样迅速的反应。参考译文Animportantdecisionisalwaysmadebyindividualsnotbycommitteeswhetheritinvolvesacompanyoragovernment.Weneedcommitteesbecausethat’swherepeoplecouldsharetheiropinionsandexperiences.Buttheycouldnotreplaceindividuals.Thereasonisobvious:acommitteefacedwithamajordecisioncan’talwaysmoveasquicklyastheeventsitistryingtorespondto.

411.学习机会上大学给人们提供了在无边无际的知识海洋里遨游探索的机会。为了丰富多彩的人生，大学生应该充分利用目前读大学的大好时光。他们应该意识到上大学决不仅仅意味着得到一个学位，得到一个好的工作。他们如果不满足于专业课内容，就会终生受益。参考译文Collegeprovidesachancetoexplorethevastareasofunlimitedknowledge.Tohavearichfulllifeacollegestudentshouldmakethemostoftheopportunitiesathand.Heshouldrealizethatgoingtocollegemeansalotmorethanearningadegreeandsecuringagoodjob.Ifhecanexplorebeyondhisimmediatecareerobjectiveshewillenjoytherestofhislife.12.文化交流文化是不同国家的人们互相理解的最佳媒体。通过举办文化节，许多中国城市在世界上的知名度提高了。已经证明，对促进中国人民和世界其他地方人民之间的交流来说，这是最好的途径之一。这种交流不仅仅限于文化方面，还扩大到了经济和其他领域。参考译文Cultureisthebestmediumforpeopleofdifferentcountriestounderstandeachother.Throughculturefestivals,manycitiesinChinahaveraisedtheirprestigeintheworld.Ashasbeenproventhat,thisisoneofthebestwaystopromotethecommunicationbetweenChinesepeopleandthepeoplefromdifferentpartsoftheworld.Thiskindofcommunicationisnotonlyconfinedtoculture,butextendstoeconomyandotherfields.13.大四生活现在大学生的学习压力相当重。除了大四，他们开始找工作了，其余的学生总是忙于学习，而不愿参加校园团体和俱乐部，不愿参加体育锻炼和其他课外活动，不愿与他们的朋友玩玩，不愿关心和学习没有关系的事。总之，他们就像一个机器人。压力大，时间少，功课多。看到同寝室里的人都上图书馆去学习，到深夜闭馆才回，而自己却去看电影，他们就会有一种内疚感。一想到白天什么事都没干，心里就感到不安，会整夜因此睡不着觉。他们学习太紧张，几乎没有时间好好品尝生活，干些其他事，成为一个全面发展的人。读大学使他们失去太多的个人幸福和健康。参考译文Collegestudentsnowbearheavyacademicpressure.Youwillfindthem—exceptseniorswhoarebeginningtolookforajob—alwaystoobusyinstudiestojoincampusorganizations,toobusytotake

5partinsportsandotherextracurricularactivities,toobusytosharetheinterestsoftheirfriendsandtoobusytopayattentiontoanythingthatisnotconnectedwiththeirstudies.Inshorttheyhavebecomenothingbutarobot.Theyareunderpressuretodotoomuchworkintoolittletime.Iftheirroommatesarestudyinginthelibraryuntilitclosesatmidnightwhiletheygotoamovietheywillfeelguilty.Theveryideaofdoingnothingduringthedaywillmakethemuncomfortableandsleeplessallnight.Theystudysohardthattheyhavehardlyhadtimetosavorlifeandtopursueotherintereststogrowaswell-roundedpeople.Thepursuitofcollegeeducationcoststhemtoomuchpersonalhappinessandhealth.14.人物介绍徐霞客一生周游考察了十六个省，足迹几乎遍及全国。他在考察的过程中，从不盲目迷信书本上的结论，从不把权威看作是真理的唯一基础。他发现人研究的地理记载中有许多不很可靠的地方。为了进行真实细致的考察，他很少乘车坐船，几乎全靠双脚翻山越岭，长途跋涉；为了弄清大自然的真相，他总是挑选道路艰险的山区、人迹稀少的森林进行考察，发现了许多奇山秀景；他常常选择不同的时间和季节，多次重游各地名山，反复观察变换的奇景。他不仅善于观察，观察的精确、耐心、客观、而且对观察的结果锲而不舍地进行思考。参考译文DuringhislifetimeXuXiakevisited16provincesleavinghisfootprintsnearlyeverywhereacrosstheland.Heneverblindlyacceptedtheconclusionsgivenbybooksnordidhetreatauthorityasthesolebasisfortruth.Asaresulthefoundmanyinaccuraciesinthetravelnotesongeographywrittenbyhispredecessors.Inordertogetadetailedandtruthfulpictureoftheparticularplaceshepreferredtotravelonfootinsteadofbycartorboatdespitelongdistancesandevenventuredintomountainousareasandjungleswhicharerarelytraveledbypeopleandfullofdangers.Thepayoffforhiseffortwashisdiscoveryofmanyfantasticlandscapeswhichattractedhimtoreturnindifferentseasonsandevendifferenthoursofthedaytoobservetheirkaleidoscopicspectacles.Hewasnotonlyagoodobserveraccuratepatientandobjectivebutalsoappliedpersistentthoughttotheobservationshemade.15.节日联欢在这明月当空的中秋之夜，我很高兴能应邀出席贵公司的庆祝晚宴，同各位一起度过一个轻松、难忘的夜晚。我们平时忙于各自的工作，几乎没有时间坐下来交谈。我希望这次晚会可以让我们无所拘束地相互沟通，增进友谊。在这个高度竞争的时代，人际关系越来越紧张，似乎缺少了传统意义上的那种人间温暖的关怀。我国的中秋节不仅给人们提供了团聚的机会，其意义还包含了关怀、融洽和奉献。我为有幸参加这次中秋聚会，再次表示感谢。参考译文

6Onthismostbeautifulmoon-litmid-autumnevening,I'mverygladtobeinvitedtoattendyourcompany'scelebrationeveningparty,andsharearelaxingandmemorableeveningwithyou.Wearesobusilyengagedinourworkthatwehavevirtuallylittletimesittingdownandtalkingtoeachother.Ihopethispartywillgiveanopportunitytotalktoeachotherfreely,andtoincrease/enhancepersonalfriendship.Inthiseraofintensivecompetition,interpersonalrelationsbecomeincreasinglyintense.Whatappearstobelackingarethetraditionalhumanwarmthandcare.China'sMid-autumnFestivaldoesnotonlyprovideanoccasionforgettingtogether,butalsoimpliesopportunitiesforcare,harmonyanddedication.Iwishtothankyouagainforyourinvitationto/givingmetheopportunitytoattendthismid-autumneveningparty.16.香港简介香港坐落在中国南端的一个弹丸小岛上。在日趋全球化的经济中，香港正起着一个非常重要的角色。rientedbusinesscultureandexcellentcommunicationsithasbecomeacrossroadofworldtradeandthenervecenteroftheAsia—Pacificregion.Commerciallinksreachouttocorporationsinover170countriesandregions.ItstradewiththerestofAsiahasincreasedsubstantially.Itscontainerportisnowthebusiestandisundergoingfurtherexpansion.AlthoughHongKong’semergenceasaworldfinancialcentercameinrecent20yearsoffshoreloansaccountformorethanhalfofthetotalloanprovidedbyitsbanks.Asthe“PearloftheOrient”returnsonceagaintoChina’spalm，itspeopleseeherfutureasbrighterthanever.17.人际关系有时候，在工作中重要的倒是能否处理好人际关系而不是有多大的才能。人际关系就是一种善于听取别人的意见，体察别人的需要，虚心接受批评的能力。善于处理人际关系的人敢于承认错误，敢于承担自己的责任，这是对待错误的一种成熟和负责任的态度。这就是为什么许多平平庸庸的公司雇员在大调整中保住了位置，而有才能的人反而下岗。因为他们很注意处理各方面的关系，所以八面玲珑，到处有缘。而人际关系差的人往往不能处理好批评。碰到错误，他们首先想到自己，拒不承认自己有错，或情绪低落或大发雷霆，成为有刺的人，难以相处。参考译文Sometimesitisinterpersonalskillsratherthanprofessionalskillsthatreallycountsinyourcareer.Interpersonalskillsarenothingbuttheabilitytobegoodlistenertobesensitivetowardothers’needstotakecriticismwell.Peoplewithskillinsocialrelationsadmittheirmistakesandtaketheirshareofblamewhichisamatureandresponsiblewaytohandleanerror.That’swhymanymediocreemployeessurviveviolentcorporateupheavalswhilepeopleofgreattalentarebeinglaidoff.Sensitiveintheirdealingswithotherstheyarewelllikedeverywhere.Peoplewithpoorinterpersonalskillshavetroubletakingcriticism.Whenconfrontedwithamistaketheylettheiregogetintheway.Theydenyresponsibilityandbecamemoodyorangry.Theymarkthemselvesas“prickly”.

718.网上聊天网上聊天指的是两个或多个人之间通过计算机来同时进行的文学交流。这种交流是同步的－个人在他的键盘上键入信息，和他聊天的人在其电脑屏幕上看见信息后便可以马上回复。网络聊天也在其特定的专业术语。它们容易键入，使交流更快速。经常上网聊天的人使用缩略语，例如BRB意思是“马上回来”，IMHO是指“依本人之拙见”。数年前还鲜为人知的电子网络产业，时至今日已成为一个国家国民生活的重要组成部分。越来越多的网民使用人们所知道的“信息高速公路”。参考答案Onlinechatreferstothesimultaneoustextcommunicationbetweentwoormorepeopleviacomputer.Itissynchronous-onepersontypesamessageonhiskeyboard,andthepeoplewithwhomheischattingseethemessageappearontheirmonitorsandrespondalmostimmediately.Chathasitsownjargon.Theyareeasytotypeandmakethecommunicationmoreefficient.Peoplewhochatcommonlyuseabbreviations.BRB,forexample,means”berightback”.IMHOmeans“inmyhumbleopinion”.Theelectronicnetworkindustry,whichwasvirtuallyunknownyearsago,hasbecomeanvitalpartofacountry’snationallife.Anincreasingpopulationofnetizensmakeuseofwhatispopularlyknownasthe“informationsuperhighway”.19.外贸发展在过去20年中，世界上没有任何一个国家的外贸发展速度像中国那么快。日本用了20多年时间才将其外贸总额翻了一番而中国却翻了两番。中国现在已是全球第三大电器生产国，并且正在成为全球电器市场上的主角。中国还是世界上劳动密集型(labor-intensive)产品的主要生产国。间才将其外贸总额翻了一番，而中国却翻了两番。参考译文Overthelasttwodecades,nocountryintheworldhasexpandeditsforeigntradeasfastasChina.Japantookmorethan20yearstodoubleitsforeigntrade,whileChina,forthesamelengthoftime,hasquadrupleditsforeigntrade(hasincreaseditsforeigntradebythreetimes..Alreadytheworld'sthirdlargestproducerofelectricappliances,Chinaisnowplayingamajorroleintheglobalmarketoftheelectricwares.Chinahasalsobecomeamajorproduceroflabor-intensivemanufacturedgoodsintheworld.20.经济地位自1978年改革开放以来，中国经济增长了90倍，是增长最快的主要经济体。预测2011至2015年，年均GDP

8增长会保持9.5%。中国是世界最大的出口国，第二大进口国。它也是世界第二大奢侈品消费国。目前的GDP位于世界第二，大约6万亿美元，相当于美国的四成。中国是世界工厂。每三件家具，三件玩具，两双鞋子，两件衣服中，就有一件是由中国制造的。参考译文Sinceeconomicopeningupandreformpolicybeganin1978,China’seconomyhasgrown90timesbigger,andisthefastestgrowingmajoreconomyintheworld.China’sannualaverageGDPgrowthispredictedtobe9.5percentfortheperiodof2011-2015.Itistheworld’slargestexporterandthesecondlargestimporterofgoods.Itisalsoknownastheworld’ssecondbiggestconsumerofluxurygoods.Itnowhastheworld’ssecondlargestGDPatabout6trillionUSdollars,40percentoftheUnitedStates.Chinaistheworld’sfactory.Oneoutofeverythreehouseholdappliances/threetoys/twopairsofshoes/twoshirtsaremadeinChina.21.中国概况中国人民共和国，简称中国，位于东亚，与14个国家或地区接壤。它是世界上人口最多的国家，有13亿人口。中国有56个民族，汉族占总人口92%。汉语是世界上使用最广泛也是外国人最难懂的语言之一。汉语方言很多，使用最广的是普通话和粤语。汉语发源于象形文字(hieroglyph)，有超过四万个汉字。受过良好教育的人能认识约六千个字。阅读报纸需要认识三千字左右。参考译文ThePeople’sRepublicofChina,commonlyknownasChina,islocatedinEastAsia,andborders14nationsordistrictsintheworld.Itisthemostpopulousstateintheworldwitha1.3billionpopulation.China’smadeof56distinctiveethnicgroups,withHanChinesemakingthe92%ofitswholepopulation.Chineseisthemostwidelyspokenlanguageintheworldaswellasoneofthemostcomplicatedforforeigners.TherearemanyregionaldialectsofChinesealthoughthemostwidelyspokenisMandarinandCantonese.Chinesecharactersevolvedovertimefromearlierformsofhieroglyphs.Chinesecontainsover40,000characters,butawell-educatedpersoncanrecognizedaround6,000characters.Some3,000arerequiredtoreadanewspaper.六、补充阅读材料1.ChineseFestivalChinesetraditionalfestivalsandrituals,apartofChineseculture,aretheresultsofitslegendsofancestorsandagriculturalproductionexperiences.AsearlyastheXiadynasty(21-16centuryB.C.),thefirstdayofthefirstmooninthelunarcalendarwasknownasthe"headofyear".ButitwasnotuntiltheHandynasty(206B.C.-220A.D.)thatthedaybecameawidelycelebratedholiday.Afterthe1911revolution,however,theGregoriancalendarofficiallyreplacedthetraditionalChinesecalendarandthe"beginningoftheyear"becameknownastheSpringFestival.Inpost-1949China,theSpring

9Festivalhasbecomeanationalholidaywhichiscelebratedthroughouttheentirecountry.SpringFestivalisasimportanttoChineseasChristmastowesterns.ItistheChineseNewYear,knownalsoas"passingtheyear"inChinese,markingthemostimportantandpopularofallChinesefestivals.SpringFestivalActivities:hangredlanternspaste"Fu"(goodfortune)upsidedownpaste"theimageofthegodofwealth"ontodoors,windoworwallsignitefirecrackerstodriveawaythelegendaryanimal"Nian"whichwouldbringomen,that'showthealternativenameofSpringFestival"GuoNian"cameforth.makedumplingslanternplay,lionplay,dragonplay,Shehuoplayetc.LanternFestivalfallsonthe15thdayofthefirstmonthintheChineselunarcalendar.ThenameofthisfestivalisinfactderivedfromaTangdynasty(618-907)customofhangingoutlanternsonthenightofthefestival.TheLanternFestivalisalsocelebratedwithrounddumplingsmadeofglutinousriceflourandfilledwithavarietyofsweetfillings,knownasYuanXiao(literally"thenightofthefirstfullmoon"),whichisanothernameforthefestival.FestivalofPureBrightness,calledasTomb-sweepingDay,itistheoccasionforalltheChinesetohonortheirancestors.AsitisearlyspringandusuallyfallsaroundApril4,itisusuallybreezyanddrizzly.Buturbandwellerprefertogotothecountrysideduringtheseason.Payingrespectstothedeadinthethirdmonthinlunarcalendarisrelatedtothecustomoffuneral.SweepingtombhasbeenanindispensablecustomsinceQinDynasty,butthisisnotonlyoneofthetwenty-foursolarterms,itisalsoanoldtraditionalfestival.Thedaybeforetomb-sweepingdayiscalled“HanshiFestival”whichisalsointhethirdmonthoflunaryear.ThisfestivalisinmemoryofafamousministerofJinkingdomduringtheSpringandAutumnPeriod.CustomsrelatedtoPureBrightnessFestival:noteatingfood,sweepingthetombofancestors,goingouttosuburb,havingaswing,flyingakite,cockfighting,andplayingtheball,etc.

10DragonBoatFestivalisonthe5thdayofthefifthmonthintheChineselunarcalendar.ThisfestivalwasestablishedincommemorationofQuYuan(c.340-278B.C.),astatesmanandpoetoftheWarringStatesPeriod(475-221B.C.).AnofficialoftheStateofChu,QuYuanwasthwartedinhisambitionstosavethecountryandthrewhimselfintotheBiluoRiverwhentheStateofQinconqueredChu.Zongzi,glutinousricedumplingswrappedinbambooleaves,areservedonthefestivalandDragonBoatracesareheld,whicharestrenuousandbecomepopularinSouthernprovinces.Traditionallythedragonboatfestivalis"SanitationFestival"aswell.Onthatdaypeoplewouldsweepthefloorintheyard,hangmoat,sprinklearsenicsulphideontheflooranddrinkalcoholmadeofarsenicsulphide,inordertosterilizeanddefendillness.TheSeventhEveningoftheSeventhMonthFestivalTheseventheveningoftheseventhmonthfestivalisoriginatedfromatouchingtale.Itisalsocalledas"meetingofstars".Itissaidthataherd-boyfrommundaneworldandaweaving-girlfromheavenlovedeachother.TheywereseparatedbytheMilkRoadbytheorderofWangMu-thegoddessrulingtheheaven,andwerepermittedtomeetonlyonceayear.Theherd-boyandtheweavinggirlbecamethestarsAltairandVegra.Theywouldmeetontheseventhdayoftheseventhlunarmontheveryyear.Peopleregardedthedateofweddingas"meetingofstars"sofar.TheDoubleNinthFestivalisontheninthdayoftheninthofChineselunarmonth.Itisafestivaloffieldamusement.Thecustomsofthefestivalinclude:climbingthemountain,enjoyingthechrysanthemum,drinkingthewinemadeofmum,insertingseebelowandeatingakindofcake.TheDoubleNinthFestivalisalsoTheGraybeardFestival.Theoldpeopleenjoythechrysanthemumandclimbthehill,whichcanbuildtheirbodyandexertafavorableinfluence.Mid-AutumnFestivalfallsonAugust15inthelunarcalendar.Originallyitisthewhenpeoplecelebrateharvesting,andlateritbecameadatewhenfamilygetreunitedwhereverfamilymembersare.Thefestivalalsorelatedtoabeautifullegend"Chang'eRantotheMoon".Intheremotepast,thereweretensunsinthesky,whichfiercelyroastedtheland,andseawatergettingdry.Mencouldn'tmakealiving.Forthesakeofsavingthelocalpeople,aheronamedHouYiclimbeduptheKunlunMountain,heexertsallhisstrengthtodragthebowandshotdownnineofthetensuns.Peopleweresaved.Afterafewyears,hemarriedabeautifulwomannamedChang'e.Oneday,HouYiwenttotheKunlunMountaintomeethisfriend.Hehappenedtoencounterthequeenoftheheaven.Heaskedherforamaranthinemedicine,andthequeengaveittohim.Itwassaidthatifonetookthemedicinehecouldbecomeaimmortalimmediately.HoweverHouYididn'thavethehearttoleavehis

11wifesohegavethemedicinetoChang'e.Unfortunately,anunderlingnamedFengMengsaweverything.WhenHouYiwentout,hecametoHouYi'shomeandbulliedChang'etogivethemedicinetohim.Chang'eknewthatshecouldn'tbeatFengMengsoshetookthemedicine.Aftertakingthemedicine,shefeltherbodyflyingintheair,atlastsheflytotheheaven.Missingherhusbandverymuch,shefellonthemoonbecauseitisthenearesttotheearthandthusshebecamethegoddessofthemoon.WhenHouYireturnedhome,handmaidssobbedouteverythingtohim.HouYi'sheartwasbroken.Helookeduptheskyandcriedoutforhislover.Suddenlyhefoundthatthemoonthatnightwassobrightandround,andtherewasaswayingfiguressomuchlikehiswife.HehurriedlyaskedtheservantstoputanincenseburnertablewithfruitsandsweetiesunderthemoontomemorizeChang'e.Peoplelearnedaboutthemessage,theyallputanincenseburnertableunderthemoonimpetratingthatChang'ewouldbringthemsafetyandluck.Fromthenon,holdingamemorialceremonyattheMid-AutumnMoonhasbecomeatraditionandspreadthroughoutthecountry..Labaisonthe8thdayofthetwelfthmonthintheChineselunarcalendar.LabawasoriginallyareligiousholidayincelebrationofSakyamuni'sattainmentofBuddhism.BuddhistsoftheHannationalitywouldmakeanofferingtotheBuddhaofasteamedpuddingmadeofriceandfruitcalled"Labapudding".Theholidayhaslongbeensecularizedandthepuddingremainsverypopular.2.ChongyangFestivalTheChongyangFestivalfallsontheninthdayofthenonthmonthoftheChineselunarcalendar,soitisalsoknownastheDoubleNinthFestival.ThefestivalisbasedonthetheoryofYinandYang,thetwoopposingprinciplesinnature.Yinisfeminine,negativeprinciple,whileYangismasculineandpositive.Theancientsbelievedthatallnaturalphenomenacouldbeesplainedbythistheory.Numbersarerelatedtothistheory.EvennumbersbelongtoYinandoddnumberstoYang.TheninthdayoftheninthlunarmonthisadaywhenthetwoYangnumbersmeet.SoitiscalledChongyang.ChongmeansdoubleinChinese.Chongyanghasbeenanimportantfestivalsinceancienttimes.Thefestivalisheldinthegoldenseasonofautumn,atharvest-time.Thebrightclearweatherandthejoyofbringingintheharvestmakeforafestivehappyatmosphere.TheDoubleNinthFestivalisusuallyperfectforoutdooractivities.Manypeoplegohikingandclimbinginthecountry,enjoyingMotherNature'sfinalburstofcolorbeforesheputsonherdullwintercloak.Somewillcarryasprayofdogwood.EarlyintheWesternHanDynasty,about2,000yearsago,peopleusedtoclimbahighplatformoutsidethecapitalcityofChang'anontheoccasionoftheChongyangFestival.Formany,itwasthelastoutingoftheyearbeforetheonsetofwinter.Thecustomevolvedintoitspresentform,whenpeoplego

12climbingtogetsomeexerciseaswellasenjoytheautumnscenery.Butwhataboutthosepeoplewholiveinflatregionsfarfromanymountain?Theproblemissolvedbygoingforapicnicandeatingcakes.TheChinesewordforcakeisGao,ahomonymoftheChinesewordforhigh.Mountainsarehigh,soeatingcakecan,byastretchoftheimagination,taketheplaceofgoingforaclimb.Sincenineisthehighestodddigit,peopletaketwoofthemtogethertosignifylongevity.Therefore,theninthdayoftheninthmonthhasbecomeaspecialdayforpeopletopaytheirrespectstotheelderlyandadayfortheelderlytoenjoythemselves.IthasalsobeendeclaredChina'sdayfortheelderly.3.LanternFestivalTheLanternFestivalisatraditionalfestivalinChina.Itfallsonthe15thdayofthefirstlunarmonth--YuanxiaoJie.Thewayofmakingthelanternsdiffersaccordingtothenaturalenvironment.Lanternsaredifferentinthenorthandthesouth.InNorthernShaanxiProvince,womeninthecountrysideusesorghumstalkstomakelanternframes,thentheypasteredpaperontheframes.Inthisway,theymakeallsortsoflanterns,suchaspumpkinlanterns,persimmonlanternsandsheeplanterns.Theyalsocutpotatoesintoabowlshape.Thentheyputoilintothebowl-shapedpotatoesandplacelampwicksinthemandcoverthepotatoeswithredpaperlampshades.Peoplehangredlanternsoverthegatesoftheircavedwellings.Willowtreesarealsodecoratedwithcolouredpaper.Redlanternsarehunghereandthereonwillowtrees.Thetreesarecalledlanterntreesorsparktrees.BeijingwasthecapitalofseveraldynastiesinChinesehistory.OntheLanternFestival,allsortsoflanternswerehunginthepalace.Artistsmadefancylanterns,whoseframeseremadewithcarvedfinewood.Theycoveredlanternswithsilk,gauze,glassandslicedoxhornonwhichpicturesoflandscapes,flowersandbirdswerepainted.AtthatDengshikou(LanternFairGateway)nearWangfujingStreetwaswherelanternexhibitionswereheldatthattime.HarbininNorthChinaiscalledanicecity.Allsortsoflanternsaremadetherewithice.Thesparking,crystal-clearlanternsarereallybeautiful.Fujianhasanabundanceofrain,sothebuildingsonbothsidesofitsstreetsallhaveoverhangingupperstoreysknownasqiloutoshelterpedestriansfromtherain.OnthetheLanternFestivalcolourfullanternsarehungovertheqilou.Streetsometimeshavethousandsofcolouredlanternshungalongthem.

13Lanternscomeindifferentshapes,suchasbird,animal,flowerandfish.Somelanternsareshapedlikefruit,suchasoranges,litchis,pineapplesandothers.Someareverymodernlikerocketandsatellitelanterns.Fragrantsmellswaftinthebreezefromthelanterns.Sandalwoodincenseisburnedinoctagonalpalacelanterns.Inprevioustimes,youngwomenandmendidnothavefreesocialcontact.Therefore,theLanternFestivalbecameanopportunitytolookformarriagepartners.ThereisafamouslovestoryfromancienttimesamongthepeopleofQuanzhou.AttheLanternHuangWuniang.Theyfellinloveatfirstsight.ButWuniang'sfatherwasgreedyforSandisguisedhimselfasatradesmanwhopolishedbronzemirrors.HewenttoHuang'shometopolishtheirbronzemirrors.HewenttoHuang'shometopolishtheirbronzemirrorandbrokethebronzemirrorpurposely.Topayforthemirror,hesoldhimselfintotheHuangfamilyasaslave.Bydoingso,hehadthechancetomeetWuniangsecretly.AtlastheandWuniangranawayfromthefamilyandgotmarried.4.Mid-autumnFestival"ZhongQiuJie"whichisalsoknownastheMid-AutumnFestival,iscelebratedonthe15thdayofthe8thmonthofthelunarcalendar.Mid-Autumnisatimeforfamilymembersandlovedonestocongregateandenjoythefullmoon-anauspicioussymbolofabundance,harmonyandluck.AdultswillusuallyindulgeinfragrantmooncakesofmanyvarietieswithagoodcupofpipinghotChinesetea,whilethelittleonesrunaroundwiththeirbrightly-litlanterns."ZhongQiuJie"probablybeganasaharvestfestival.ThefestivalwaslatergivenamythologicalflavourwithlegendsofChang-E,thebeautifulladyinthemoon.AccordingtoChinesemythology,theearthoncehad10sunscirclingoverit.Oneday,all10sunsappearedtogether,scorchingtheearthwiththeirheat.Theearthwassavedwhenastrongarcher,HouYi,succeededinshootingdown9ofthesuns.Yistoletheelixiroflifebuttosavethepeoplefromhistyrannicalrule,hiswife,Chang-Edrankit.ThusstartedthelegendoftheladyinthemoontowhomyoungChinesegirlswouldprayattheMid-AutumnFestival.Inthe14thcentury,theeatingofmooncakesat"ZhongQiuJie"wasgivenanewsignificance.ThestorygoesthatwhenZhuYuanZhangwasplottingtooverthrowtheYuandynastystartedbytheMongolians,therebelshidtheirmessagesintheMid-Autumnmooncakes.ZhongQiuJieishencealsoacommemorationoftheoverthrowoftheMongoliansbytheHanpeople.

14DuringtheYuandynasty(A.D.1280-1368)ChinawasruledbytheMongolianpeople.LeadersfromtheprecedingSungdynasty(A.D.960-1280)wereunhappyatsubmittingtoforeignrule,andsethowtocoordinatetherebellionwithoutitbeingdiscovered.Theleadersoftherebellion,knowingthattheMoonFestivalwasdrawingnear,orderedthemakingofspecialcakes.Backedintoeachmooncakewasamessagewiththeoutlineoftheattack.OnthenightoftheMoonFestival,therebelssuccessfullyattackedandoverthrewthegovernment.WhatfollowedwastheestablishmentoftheMingdynasty(A.D.1368-1644).Today,mooncakesareeatentocommemoratethisevent.