除夕

New Year’s Eve, or the last night of the year in Chinese lunar calendar, is called Chuxi. It is an extraordinary day in China because the old year and new year meet during this night. Since Chuxi in Chinese means removing the old, most of the activities during New Year’s Eve centers on removing the old and evil and pray for the best.

中國農歷每年最后一天、也就是新年前夜被稱為“除夕”。這一天在中國是特別的一天，因為新與舊在這天夜里交替。因為除夕在中文里的意思是除舊，所以大部分除夕夜里的習俗也是和除去舊惡、祈求幸福相關。

The customs on Chuxi Day in different districts are almost the same; while in some places, the customs are quite special, such as in Suzhou, Beijing and Taiwan. When staying up late in Suzhou, people always wait for the bell ring from the Hanshan Temple, which is a sign of the coming year; Beijing people hold Caisui activity by stepping on the sesame straw paved in the courtyard; In Taiwan, people will put a firepan under the table when have dinner and the daughters-in-law will stay up late in the New Year’s Eve, the later, the better (It is said that the elders will enjoy longevity by this way).

除夕夜的習俗在大部分的地區(qū)都是相似的，不過在某些地方也有特別的習慣，比如蘇州、北京和臺灣。在蘇州，人們會等候寒山寺里的鐘聲，它預示著新年的到來;在北京，人們會“踩歲”——用腳踩踏鋪在地上的芝麻穗;在臺灣，人們把火盆放在年夜飯桌下。做兒媳婦的要在除夕夜里守歲，越晚越好(因為傳說家中長輩這樣才能長壽)。

There are many activities on New Year’s Eve / Chuxi Day, which mainly include sticking New Year scrolls (spring scrolls), enjoying family reunion dinner, Shousui (stay up late at night), sacrifice offering and setting off fireworks.

其他在除夕夜的習俗還包括貼春聯(lián)、吃團圓飯、守歲(熬夜)、拜祭和放煙火。