【英语翻译TheoldestandmostimportantfestivalinChinaistheSpringFestival,morecommonlyknownintheWestasChineseNewYear.LikeallChinesefestivals,thedateofthenewyearisdeterminedbythelunar/solarcalendarratherthantheWeste】

　　英语翻译

　　TheoldestandmostimportantfestivalinChinaistheSpringFestival,morecommonlyknownintheWestasChineseNewYear.LikeallChinesefestivals,thedateofthenewyearisdeterminedbythelunar/solarcalendarratherthantheWestern(Gregorian)calendar,sothedateoftheholidayvariesfromlateJanuarytomidFebruary.

　　TheSpringfestivalcelebratestheearthcomingbacktolife,andthestartofploughingandsowing.Inthepast,feudalrulersofdynastiesplacedgreatimportanceonthisoccasion,andceremoniestousherintheseasonwereperformed.

　　PreparationsfortheNewYearfestivalstartduringthelastfewdaysofthelastmoon.Housesarethoroughlycleaned,debtsrepaid,haircutandnewclothesbought.Doorsaredecoratedwithverticalscrollsofcharactersonredpaperwhosetextsseekgoodluckandpraisenature,thispracticestemmingfromthehangingofpeach-woodcharmstokeepawayghostsandevilspirits.Inmanyhomesincenseisburned,andalsointhetemplesasamarkofrespecttoancestors.

　　OnNewYear’sEvehousesarebrightlylitandalargefamilydinnerisserved.InthesouthofChinasticky-sweetglutinousricepuddingcalledniangaoisserved,whileinthenorththesteameddumplingjiaoziispopular.Mostcelebratingthefestivalstayuptillmidnight,whenfireworksarelit,todriveawayevilspirits.NewYearsdayisoftenspentvisitingneighbours,familyandfriends.