当除夕的烟火散尽，新春的朝阳升起，春节便踏着暖意而来。作为中华民族最隆重的节日，春节又称“过年”，是辞旧迎新的盛典，是烟火人间的喜乐狂欢，更是亿万中国人心中最温暖的文化印记——这里有热闹的习俗、真挚的祝福，更有藏在细节里的东方智慧。

As the fireworks of Chinese New Year's Eve fade and the sunrise of the new spring rises, the Spring Festival arrives with warmth. As the most grand festival of the Chinese nation, the Spring Festival, also known as "Guo Nian" (celebrating the year), is a grand ceremony of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, a joyous carnival in the mortal world, and the warmest cultural mark in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people—here are lively customs, sincere blessings, and oriental wisdom hidden in the details.

什么是春节？

What is the Spring Festival?

春节是农历新年的第一天，落在正月初一，每年公历日期各不相同，2026年的春节是2月17日，正式开启丙午马年的篇章。它的起源可追溯至上古时期的岁首祈年祭祀，古人通过祭拜天地、祖先，祈求来年风调雨顺、五谷丰登。历经千年演变，春节早已超越了祭祀的意义，成为集团圆、庆贺、娱乐于一体的文化盛宴，是解读中国文化的重要窗口。

The Spring Festival is the first day of the lunar new year, falling on the first day of the first lunar month, with different Gregorian dates each year. In 2026, it is February 17th, officially opening the chapter of the Bingwu Year of the Horse. Its origin can be traced back to the New Year's sacrifices in ancient times, when people prayed for good weather and a bumper harvest by worshipping heaven, earth and ancestors. After thousands of years of evolution, the Spring Festival has long transcended the meaning of sacrifice, becoming a cultural feast integrating reunion, celebration and entertainment, and an important window to understand Chinese culture.

春节与除夕紧密相连，除夕辞旧、春节迎新，二者共同构成了中国人“过年”的完整仪式，承载着人们对美好生活的无限向往与追求。

Closely linked to Chinese New Year's Eve, the Spring Festival welcomes the new year after the old year is bid farewell. Together, they form a complete ritual of "Guo Nian" for the Chinese people, embodying people's infinite longing and pursuit for a better life.

春节的传统：在热闹中感受中国年味

Traditions of the Spring Festival: Experience Chinese New Year Flavor in Joy

1. 拜年（Bai Nian / Paying New Year Calls）—— 传递祝福的仪式

大年初一，人们换上崭新的衣裳，走出家门走访亲友，开启“拜年”模式。晚辈向长辈拜年，祝福长辈福寿安康；亲友之间相互问候，传递真挚的情谊。“新年快乐”“万事如意”“马年大吉”，一句句吉祥话，定格了新春的喜乐氛围。如今，线上拜年成为新潮流，即便相隔千里，祝福也能跨越山海，抵达身边。

On the first day of the lunar new year, people put on new clothes, go out to visit relatives and friends, and start "paying New Year calls". Younger generations greet elders to wish them longevity and health; relatives and friends exchange greetings to pass on sincere friendship. Auspicious phrases like "Happy New Year", "Everything goes well" and "Good luck in the Year of the Horse" freeze the joyous atmosphere of the new spring. Today, online New Year greetings have become a new trend—even thousands of miles apart, blessings can cross mountains and seas to reach their destinations.

2. 放烟火、燃爆竹（Setting Off Fireworks and Firecrackers）—— 唤醒新春的声响

放烟火、燃爆竹，是春节最具氛围感的习俗，起源于古代的“驱祟”仪式。古人认为，爆竹的轰鸣能驱散邪祟与瘟疫，守护家人平安。如今，这份习俗早已变成营造喜庆氛围的方式——当烟火在夜空绽放，光芒照亮脸庞，所有的美好与期许，都在这一刻被点亮。出于环保与公共安全，多地实行烟火爆竹管控，观看烟火表演，也能感受浓浓的新春气息。

Setting off fireworks and firecrackers is the most atmospheric custom of the Spring Festival, originating from the ancient "evil dispelling" ritual. The ancients believed that the roar of firecrackers could drive away evil spirits and plagues, protecting family safety. Today, this custom has long become a way to create a festive atmosphere—when fireworks bloom in the night sky and light up people's faces, all beauty and expectations are lit up at this moment. For environmental protection and safety, many places have implemented controls on fireworks and firecrackers, and watching fireworks shows can also let people feel the strong flavor of the new spring.

3. 逛庙会（Visiting Temple Fairs）—— 沉浸式体验民俗魅力

庙会，是春节期间的民俗狂欢场。各地庙会热闹非凡，小吃香气扑鼻，民俗表演精彩纷呈，非遗文化轮番亮相，还有祈福祭祀的环节，一站式解锁中国民俗的魅力。人们逛庙会、品小吃、看表演，在欢声笑语中感受年味，也祈求新的一年平安顺遂。这里，是体验中国传统文化最鲜活的舞台。

Temple fairs are folk carnivals during the Spring Festival. Temple fairs in various places are bustling with the aroma of snacks, wonderful folk performances, intangible cultural heritage displays, and prayer rituals, allowing people to experience the charm of Chinese folk customs in one stop. People visit temple fairs, taste snacks, watch performances, feel the New Year flavor in laughter, and pray for peace and smoothness in the new year. Here is the most vivid stage to experience traditional Chinese culture.

4. 吃年菜（Eating New Year Dishes）—— 每一口都是吉祥寓意

春节期间，家家户户都会准备丰盛的年菜，延续除夕的吉祥寓意，续写新春的喜乐。北方的红烧鱼、南方的扣肉，还有象征“吉祥如意”的丸子、代表“团团圆圆”的汤圆，每一道菜都藏着对新年的祝福。吃年菜，不仅是满足味蕾，更是家人团聚的温馨时刻。

During the Spring Festival, every household prepares a hearty New Year meal, continuing the auspicious meaning of Chinese New Year's Eve and extending the joy of the new spring. Braised fish in northern China, braised pork in southern China, meatballs symbolizing "good luck and prosperity", and glutinous rice balls representing "reunion"—every dish hides blessings for the new year. Eating New Year dishes is not only about satisfying the taste buds, but also a warm moment of family reunion.

欢庆之上，藏着中国人的精神底色

Beyond Celebration: The Spiritual Essence of the Chinese People

春节，无关奢华与喧嚣，核心是团圆与陪伴。它是无论走多远都要奔赴的家的约定，是穿越山海的牵挂，是刻在中国人血脉里的文化基因。每一项习俗、每一句祝福、每一顿团圆饭，都承载着人们对美好生活的期许，传递着东方文化的温情与力量。

The Spring Festival has nothing to do with luxury or noise; its core is reunion and companionship. It is a promise to return home no matter how far away, a longing across mountains and seas, and a cultural gene engraved in the blood of the Chinese people. Every custom, every blessing, and every reunion meal carries people's expectations for a better life, and conveys the warmth and strength of oriental culture.