今天是元宵節(jié)，春節(jié)的慶祝進入了最后階段。人們今晚賞月，看燈，再見，等待下一個春節(jié)。

事實上，從歷史上看，元宵節(jié)是我國真正意義上的情人節(jié)。

the lantern festival has been part of Chinese new year celebrations since the Han dynasty(206 BC-221 ad)。

從漢朝(公元前206年-公元221年)開始，元宵節(jié)成為春節(jié)慶祝活動的一部分。

it is said that the holiday evolved from an ancient Chinese belief that celestial spirits could be seen flying about in the light of the first full moo N on

元宵節(jié)是從古代中國的一個傳說進化而來的，有傳聞?wù)f，到了農(nóng)歷第一個月圓之夜，就能看到天上飛來飛去的神。為了更容易找到眾神，人們用火炬照明，這些火炬逐漸被形狀、大小、顏色不同的燈籠所取代。

despite the fact that most Chinese dynasties had curfews during the night，All the people Were allowed to stay out on the days around the lantern feetern

中國古代的大部分王朝在晚上實行宵禁，但在元宵節(jié)前后允許人們在外面生活。中國古代女性一生的大部分時間都住在閨房里，元宵節(jié)晚上也獲準出去看燈。

Therefore，it was almost the only time for young men and women to meet with each other and fall in love，according to experts。

因此，元宵節(jié)是年輕男女相遇相愛的唯一機會。

the other evidence of the lantern festival being Chinese valentine ' s day is recorded in Chinese literature . in the thousands of ancient poes From the

元宵節(jié)是中國情人節(jié)的另一個證明，記載在中國的文學(xué)作品中。唐宋時期數(shù)以千計的古詩中，很多描寫了對伴侶的深厚感情。

例如，新饑餓的這個《青玉案元夕》。

青玉安原石

(宋)新起亞

東風夜放花木，進一步吹來，星星如雨。

寶馬雕車充滿香氣，鳳瀟發(fā)出聲音，水壺的光線旋轉(zhuǎn)，一夜魚龍舞跳一夜。

蛾子的楊柳金色縷，笑聲幽香。

眾人找他，找千百度，驀然回首，那個人燈火闌珊。(莎士比亞)。

the lantern festival night-to the tune of green jade table

非辛棄疾徐元沖、徐明沖翻譯

one night ' s east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers

And blows down stars in showers。

fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route；

Music vibrates from the flute

The moon sheds its full light

while fish and dragon lanterns dance all night。

In gold-thread dress、with moth or willow ornaments、

Giggling，she melts in

to the throng with trails of scents

But in the crowd once and again

I look for her in vain.

When all at once I turn my head,

I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.

元宵節(jié)的其他習俗

猜燈謎

Part of the lantern festival tradition involves a game to guess riddles attached to the lanterns. In the old days the riddles were literary allusions to the Chinese classics and so were mainly the preserve of the educated classes.

元宵節(jié)傳統(tǒng)習俗中有猜燈謎的游戲。在過去，這些謎語大多與中國文學(xué)典故有關(guān)，所以猜燈謎以前多為知識份子的“領(lǐng)地”。

到了現(xiàn)代，猜燈謎自然是每個人都能參與的節(jié)日游戲。我們在這里列幾個中文和英文燈謎，看看你能猜出多少。（答案見文末）

英文燈謎

Why is the letter E so important?

What clothing is always sad?

What is higher without a head than with a head?

What stays hot even if put in a refrigerator?

中文燈謎

思（打一字）

豐收（打一字）

足球門（打一成語）

乖（打一成語）

舉重比賽（打一成語）

吃元宵（湯圓）

Like most Chinese festivals, the Lantern Festival has its own special food, called "yuanxiao" or "tangyuan". These are round, glutinous rice dumplings with sweet or saly fillings. The dumplings are said to symbolize both the first full moon and family unity and completeness.

與大多數(shù)中國節(jié)日一樣，元宵節(jié)同樣有自己的特色小吃，稱為“元宵”或“湯圓”。元宵外形圓圓的，外皮由糯米制成，內(nèi)餡或甜或咸。人們都說湯圓有兩個象征意義，一為農(nóng)歷的第一個滿月，二為家庭團聚圓滿。

舞龍舞獅

Stilt-walking, drumming and dragon and lion dancing are all traditional forms of festival entertainment. In Asia, it is not uncommon to see processions of hundred-foot long dragons, lit with flashing eyes and luminous bodies, accompanied by pounding drums, cymbals and brass instruments.

踩高蹺，敲鼓和舞龍舞獅都是一些傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日的娛樂活動。在亞洲，人們經(jīng)常能看到這樣的場景：數(shù)百英尺的長龍，閃閃發(fā)光的眼睛和亮晶晶的身軀，周圍還有敲鑼打鼓、吹奏銅管樂器的隊伍。

Today, the connotation of love in the festival has been almost lost, as young couples could date whenever they want and women are no longer confined indoors. But the lantern shows remain the focus of the festival.

如今，元宵節(jié)中跟愛情有關(guān)的含義已經(jīng)消失殆盡，女性不再深居簡出，年輕的情侶們隨時可以約會。不過，燈展依舊是元宵節(jié)的重頭戲。

祝大家元宵節(jié)快樂！

英文燈謎答案

Because it is the beginning of everything.

Blue jeans.

A pillow.

Pepper.

中文燈謎答案

十

移

網(wǎng)開一面

乘人不備

斤斤計較

（轉(zhuǎn)自中國日報網(wǎng)英語點津）