中美傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日對比英文版

2012年6月13日畢業(yè)論文中文摘要論中美傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日摘要：每個國家都有其自己的文化。傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日是文化的重要一部分。不同的文化有著不同的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。傳統(tǒng)的民族節(jié)日形成是一個民族的歷史文化的長期積淀。節(jié)日的由來原因與人民的生活有密切的聯(lián)系，它體現(xiàn)了人們豐富的情感世界，寄托了人民對生活的熱愛。一個國家的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日折射了一個國家的文化底蘊、文化特色與民族特點。本文通過對中國傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日及與美國傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日重大節(jié)日列舉、對比兩國節(jié)日在起源、慶祝方式、傳統(tǒng)習俗、等方面的異同，例如七夕和情人節(jié)，春節(jié)和圣誕節(jié)。這些節(jié)日雖然在起源、背景、慶祝方式等方面存在重大差異，但它們可以說是相同節(jié)日在中西方的不同表現(xiàn)形式，它們在中西方的地位很相似。這篇文章從起源、背景、慶祝方式、節(jié)日象征等方面對它們進行對比并分析它們的異同點，它將從以上幾方面比較與分析中美主要傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日文化的異同。以便于我們更好的了解我國的文化。在保護民族文化的同時學習外國優(yōu)秀文化。關鍵詞：節(jié)日背景習俗象征畢業(yè)論文外文摘要Title：OnChineseandAmericanTraditionalFestivalsAbstractEverynationhasitsownculture.Traditionalfestivalisanimportantpartofculture.Differentcultureshavedifferenttraditionalfestivals.Festivalisasystemofsharedbeliefs,values,customsandbehaviorsthatthemembersofasocietyusedtocopewiththeirworldandwithoneanotherandthataretransmittedfromgenerationtogeneration.ThispapermainlyfocusesondifferentholidaysinChinaandinAmerica,readerscanfindoutsomedifferencesandsimilaritiesinorigin,celebration,customs.SuchasTheDoubleSeventhFestivalandValentine'sDay,SpringFestivalandChristmasDay.Althoughthesefestivalsaresignificantlydifferentintheaspectsoforigin,background,celebration,etc,theycanbeconsideredequallyimportantintheeastandwest.Throughanalysisthesefestivals,learnerscanhaveabetterunderstandingofdifferentculture.Keywords:festivalbackgroundcustomsymbolContentsTOC\o"1-5"\h\zIntroduction1FestivalsinChina1SpringFestival1Double-SeventhDay3FestivalsinAmerican6ChristmasDay6Valentine’sDay9ComparisonofSpringFestivalandChristmasDay10Similarities10Differences11ComparisonofDouble-SeventhDayandValentine’sDay12Similarities12Differences12Conclusion14Bibliography15Acknowledgements17IntroductionEverynationhasitsownuniquecharacters.Cultureisanimportantaspect,andtraditionalfestivalsareregardedasthebestformofexpressionofculture.Tounderstandthenation’sculture,wehavetoknowthetraditionalfestivals.Mostofthefestivalsarecloselyrelatedtopeople’slives,historyandculture.Traditionalfestivalsaretheveryimportantpartofculture.Differentcultureshavedifferenttraditionalfestival.ThetraditionalfestivalsinChinaandinUnitedStatearegrowingintheirownculturalsystem.ComparingChinesefestivalswithAmericanfestivals,wecanfindoutthesimilaritiesanddifferences.SuchasSpringFestivalandChristmasDay,Double-SeventhDayandValentine’sDay.Althoughthesefestivalshavesimilarities,theyhavemanydifferencesinorigin,custom,symbol.Forexample,Chinesefestivalsaremainlynamedaftertheseason.Whilewesternfestivalsweremostlynamedafterthereligiousfiguresorevents.Anotherdifferenceisthatwesternfestivalsarebasedonsolarcalendarwhichisworld-wide-usedbutChinesetraditionalfestivalsarebasedonlunarcalendarwhichisusedonlyinChina.ThroughanalyzingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesofChinesefestivalsandAmericanfestivals,learnerscanhaveabetterunderstandingofourownandWesternfestivals.FestivalsinChinaSpringFestivalTheSpringFestivalistheendingofoldyearandthecomingoftheNewYear.Itindicatesagoodluck.TheSpringFestivalisthemostimportantfestivalfortheChinese.AtthattimeallfamilieswillgettogetherjustlikeChristmasintheWest.Peoplewholivefarawayfromhomewillgobackhome.InChina,beforecomingoftheNewYear,housesarethoroughlycleaned,peoplewouldhavetheirhaircut,foodprepared,debtsrepaid,andnewclothesbought.Doorsaredecoratedwithscrollsofcharactersonredpapertoseekgoodluckandpraisenature,thiscustomstemmingfromthehangingofpeach-woodcharmstokeepawayghostsandevilspirits.Inmosthomesincenseisburned,andalsointhetemplesasamarkofrespecttoancestors.Inaddition,symbolicflowersandfruitswereusedtodecoratethehouse,andcolorfulNewYearpicturesareplacedonthewalls.ThemostimportantdaysareSpringFestivalEveandthefirstthreedaystocelebratethelunarcalendar’sNewYear.OnSpringFestivaleve,themostimportantthingistohaveabigfamilymeal.NorthernChinesepeopleliketoeatdumplings,Dumplingsarethemosttraditionalfoodwhoseshapeislikeavcoin.whileSouthernChinesepeopleusuallyeatrice.SpringFestivalisatimeforallfamilymemberstogohomeforafamilyreunion,whichlendsitselftothemeal'scommonnameofa"familyreuniondinner".Childrenlikethefestivalverymuch,becausetheycanhavedeliciousfoodandwearnewclothes.Theycanalsogetsomemoneyfromtheirparents.Thismoneyisgiventochildrenforgoodluck.TheSpringFestivallastsabouthalfamonthlong.Peoplevisitrelativesandfriendswiththewords“HappyNewYear”.PeopleenjoytheSpringFestival,inthistimetheycanhaveagoodrest.Therearemanytraditionalcustomsonthisfestival.WavingGoodbyetotheKitchenGodAccordingtoChinesefolklore,thekitchengodtravelstoheavenattheendofeveryyeartoreporttheearthlygoings-ontothegodofheaven.Inthepast,aroundDecember23or24onthelunarcalendarpeoplewouldpreparecandyforthekitchengodtomakesurehesaysnicethingsaboutthem,butfewpeoplestillcarryonthiscustom.SweepingofftheDustEveryyear,aftersendingtheKitchenGodtotheHeaven,peoplebegintocleantheirhousesandwaitforthecomingSpringFestival.SweepingoffthedustisoneofthecustomsthatpeoplesaygoodbyetotheoldyearandwelcometheNewYear.Inordertodothiswell,peoplewillcleaneverycornerofthehouse.Althoughitisaritualofcleaning,itisthenecessaryritualafterofferingsacrificestothegods.ItisalsosaidthatpeopleareafraidofoffendingtheKitchenGod.SowhentheywavegoodbyetotheKitchenGod,peoplecouldtrytheirbesttocleantheirhousestowelcomeSpringFestival.ThereisthecustomofstayingupallnightontheNewYear’sEve.Thewholefamilysitstogethertochat,lookintothefutureuntildawntowelcomethelunarNewYear.Firecrackersandfireworksalwaysprovidethebackgroundmusicforthepeoplestayingup.ThereisalsothecustomofburningfireandcandlesthroughouttheNewYear’sEve.Thelightsareturnedoncontinuouslyforthewholenight.Inmanyplacespeopleliketosetofffirecrackers.ThetraditionofsettingofffirecrackersonthefirstdayofNewYearhasahistoryofmorethan2000years.InChina,theSpringFestivalisalsocalled"Nian",afterthenameofaterriblebeastinChinesefolklore.Everyyearatthistime,itcamedownfromthemountaintothevillagestoeatpeopleandanimals.Inthepast,peopleburntbambootogeneratehugenoisestodriveitaway,andthistraditionhaschangedtotheuseoffirecrackers.ThethunderingsoundoffirecrackersannouncesthecomingofthelunarNewYear,aswellasvariousgodsdescendingfromtheHeaven.Itwasbelievedthatthegodsreturnedtothemoralworldwithnewmissionsaftertheymadetheirreportsfortheoldyear.Eachhouseholdwouldsetupanaltartowelcomethemback.TherearedifferentkindsofgodsintheChinesepeople’smind,suchastheGodofHappiness,theGodofHeaven,andtheGodofEarth,etc.Peopleworshipthosegodstoprayforagoodfuture.Double-SeventhDayChineseValentine'sDayfallsontheseventhdayoftheseventhmonthofthelunarcalendar.Thisisadaydevotedtoromance.InChina,thisdayisalsocalled"TheBeggingFestival"or"TheDaughter'sFestival."Itisanimportantdayforgirls.Intheevening,girlspreparemelonsandfruitbeforeworshipandprayersforagoodmarriage.AlmosteveryoneinChinaisveryfamiliarwiththestoryofthefestival.ItissaidthattheseventhdaughteroftheEmperorofHeavenandanorphanedcowherdwereseparatedbytheEmperor;thegirlwasforcedtomovetothestarVegaandthecowherdtotheAltair.Theywereonlyallowedtomeetonceayearonthedayofseventhdayofseventhlunarmonth.Thestorybeginswiththehandsomebutpoororphanwholivedwithhiselderbrotherandsister-in-law.Afterhisparentspassedaway,theboy'sbrothergotthehouseandland.Butallhehadwasanoldox.TheseventhdaughteroftheEmperor,alsoknownastheWeavingGirl,wasgoodathandcrafting,especiallyweavingclothes.TheEmperorparticularlylikedherskillsofweavingcloudswithrainbowstomaketheworldmorebeautiful.Thecowherd'sox,whichwasactuallyanimmortalfromheaven,mademistakesinheavenandwasreincarnatedasanoxtotoilonearth.Oneday,theoxsuddenlysaidtothecowherd:"Youareaniceperson.Ifyouwanttogetmarried,gotothecreekandyourwishwillcometrue."Theoldoxtolditsmasterthatseveralyounggoddesseswouldcometothispondinafewdaystobathe.OneofthemwouldbecalledWeavinggirl,WeavinggirlwasadaughteroftheEmperorofHeaven.Shewasverybeautifulandkind.Theoldoxsaidthatifcowherdcouldtakeawayherclotheswhileshewasinthepond,shewouldbehiswife.Whenthedaycame,Cowherdhidinthetallreedsbythepondandwaitedfortheyounggoddesses.Theysooncame,justastheoldoxhadsaid.Theytookofftheirsilkrobesandjumpedhappilyintotheclearwater.Cowherdcreptoutofhishidingplace,pickedupweavinggirl'sclothesandranaway.Hercompanionsweresofrightenedthattheyjumpedout,dressedasquicklyastheycouldandflewaway.Weavinggirlwasleftaloneinthepond.Cowherdreturnedandgaveherbackherclothes.Hehadlovedherfromthefirstmomenthesawher.Theylookedintoeachother'seyes.Thegirlagreedthatshewouldbehiswife.Theyweredeeplyinloveandgotmarriedverysoonafterwards.Cowherdworkedhardgrowingcropsandweavinggirlraisedsilkworms.Threeyearslater,weavinggirlgavebirthtotwins,aboyandagirl.Theylivehappilytogetherfortherestoftheirlives.Oneday,theoldoxwasdying.Beforeitcloseditseyesforthelastminute,ittoldtheyoungcouplethatitshidewouldenableamantoflytotheheaven.Ittoldthemtopreserveitcarefully.Meanwhile,theKingandQueenofHeavenfoundoutthattheirdaughterhadgonetotheworldofManandhadahusband.Theywereveryangry.TheQueenflewdowntoearthwithsomeofsoldiers.Cowherdcamebackfromthefieldonedaytofindhistwochildrensittingontheground,crying.Theytoldhimthatanoldladyhadtakentheirmotheraway.Cowherdrememberedwhattheoldoxhadtoldhim.Heplacedthetwinsinwickerbasketsonapoletocarryonhisshoulder,putonthemagichide,andflewupintothesky.HehadalmostcaughtupwiththeQueenandhiswifewhentheQueenheardthecryingofhischildren.Lookingback,withanangrywaveofherarm,aragingtorrentimmediatelyappearedbetweenhergroupandcowherd.Hecouldnotgetpastthiswideswollenriver.Heartbroken,Cowherdandhischildrencouldonlylookandweepbitterly.TheKingwasmovedbythesoundoftheircrying,anddecidedtoallowcowherdandweavinggirltomeetonceayearontheseventhdayoftheseventhlunarmonth.ThepoorcoupleofCowherdandWeavinggirleachbecameastar.CowherdisAltairandweavinggirlisVega.ThewideriverthatkeepsthemapartisknownastheMilkyWay.OntheeastsideoftheMilkyWay,Altairisthemiddleoneofalineofthree.Theendonesarethetwins.Tothesoutheastaresixstarsintheshapeofanox.VegaistothewestoftheMilkyWay;thestarsaroundherformintheshapeofaloom.Everyyear,thetwostarsofAltairandVegaareclosesttogetherontheseventhdayoftheseventhlunarmonth.Thismovinglovestoryhaspasseddownfromgenerationtogeneration.ItiswellknownthatveryfewmagpiesareseenontheDouble-SeventhDay.ThisisbecausemostofthemflytotheMilkyWay,wheretheyformabridgesothatthetwoloversmightcometogether.Thenextday,itisseenthatmanymagpiesarebald,whichisbecausecowherdandweavinggirlwalkedandstoodtoolongontheheadsoftheirloyalfriends.Inancienttimes,theDouble-SeventhDaywasafestivalespeciallyforyoungwomen.Girls,nomatterfromrichorpoorfamilies,wouldputontheirholidaybesttocelebratetheannualmeetingofthecowherdandtheGirlWeaver.Parentswouldplaceanincenseburnerinthecourtyardandlayoutsomefruitasofferings.ThenallthegirlsinthefamilywouldkowtowtoCowherdandweavinggirlandprayforingenuity.TheDouble-SeventhDayisnotapublicholidayinChina.However,itisstilladaytocelebratetheannualmeetingofthelovingcouple.Notsurprisingly,manypeopleconsidertheDouble-seventhDayastheChineseValentine'sDay.FestivalsinAmericaChristmasDayChristmasdayisoneofthemostimportantfestivalsinAmerica.ItisalsothecelebrationofthebirthofJesus.ThedateofthecelebrationistraditionalandisnotconsideredtobeJesus’actualbirthday.Christmasisforlove.ItwasloveforwhichJesuscametothisworldandsacrificedhislife.About2000yearsagoGodsentanangeltofindavirginnamedMary.ShewasengagedtoJosephacarpenter.TheangeltoldMarythatbyGod’spowershewouldconceiveandbearason.WhenJosephknewthatshewaspregnantanangelinstructedhimtomarryher.BecauseofacensusJosephtookhertoBethlehem.WhilethereMarygavebirthtoJesus.Shegavebirthtohiminamangerbecausetherewasnoroomattheinn.TheshepherdsvisitedJesusinBethlehem.AttheearliestRomanCatholicscelebrateChristmastorememberthedayofbirthofJesusChristinDecember25th.InAmerica,Christmasisoneofthebiggestfestivalsoftheyear.DuringChristmasseasonpeoplesendChristmascardsandpresentstorelativesandfriends.ThesimplemeaningofChristmasistocelebratethebirthofJesusChrist.CulturalcelebrationsofChristmasincludeglitteringlightdisplays，theever-presentjollyoldSantaClaus，groupcelebrationsandsingingbakedholidaycookiesandcakes，decorationsofmistletoeandpinewreathslighted，ornamentedChristmastreeswithwrappedpresentsdisplayedunderneath.InEurope，typicallyfamilyandfriendsgathertogetheronChristmasEve，onDec24，forabigturkeydinner，completedwithChristmaspudding.Everyonesharestheirstoriesduringthepastyear.Gamesareplayedafterthedinner.ThougheveryoneenjoysChristmasDay,itisparticularlyenjoyedbychildrenbecausetheyknowtheyaregoingtoreceivepresents.SmallchildrenbelievethattheirpresentsaregivenbyFatherChristmas.FatherChristmasisakindoldman,wholivesattheNorthPole.Hetravelsthroughtheskyonasleighwhichispulledbyreindeersandloadedwithpresents.Heentersbyclimbingthechimney.WhenchildrengotobedonChristmasEve,theyhangastockingattheendoftheirbeds.Whentheywake,theywillfindtheirstockingsfilledwithpresents.ChildrenareveryexcitedonChristmasmorningandalwayswakeupearly.Christmasisalsoafamilycelebration.Allfamilymemberseattogether,playpartygamesandwatchChristmasTVprograms.ManyfamiliesgotochurchonChristmasEveandChristmasmorning.Afterservices,theygatheraroundthetreeandopentheirgifts.ThentheysitdowntoenjoyatraditionalChristmasdinner.ChristmasDayhavemanycustoms.SantaClausSantaClausisgenerallydescribedasafat,kindmanwithawhitebeard,aredsuitandasleighfulloftoysdrawnthroughtheairbyeightreindeer.SantaClausissaidtovisitonChristmasEve,enteringhousesthroughthechimneytoleavethepresentsundertheChristmastreeinthestockingsofallgoodchildren.ChristmasTreeTheChristmastreeisthesymboloftheChristmasseason.Christmastreeisusuallyanevergreenconifersuchaspineorfir.Thetreewastraditionallydecoratedwithediblessuchasapples,nutsordates.Inthe18thcentury,itbegantobeilluminatedbycandles,whichwithelectrificationcouldalsobereplacedbyChristmaslights.Today,thereisawidevarietyoftraditionalornaments,suchasgarland,tinsel,andcandycanes.Astarmaybeplacedatthetopofthetree,torepresenttheStarofBethlehemfromtheNativity.Thefamilieswouldsetupthesetreesinaprominentlocationoftheirhomesanddecoratethemwithcoloredpaper,smalltoys,food,andsometimescandles.ChristmasColorsTherearemanycolorsassociatedwithChristmassuchastheredofSantaClaus’sorFatherChristmas’outfit;thegreenoffirtrees;thegoldofcandles;andthewhiteofsnowyfields.Redistheprominentcolor.Asareligioussymbolitstandsforfire,bloodandcharity.Greenisasymbolfornature,youthandthehopeofeternallife.Whiteisareligioussymbolwhichstandsforlight,purity,joyandglory.Goldstandsforsunlight.ItisthecolorofChristmasstars,tinsel,candles,andelectriclights.CelebrationsDuringChristmasmosthousesandstreetsaredecoratedwithChristmastreesandlotsofcoloredlights.ThesoundofcarolsandChristmassongcanbeheardeverywhere.Christmascardsaresenttofriendsandrelatives.PresentsareplacedunderthetreereadytobeopenedonChristmasDay.ChildrenwriteletterstoSantaClaus,tellinghimwhatpresenttheywouldliketoreceive.ManypeopleattendchurchservicesonChristmasEveorChristmasMorning.AftertheeveningserviceonChristmasEve,thefamilywillgathertogetherforatimeofcelebration.“TheNightbeforeChristmas”isreadtochildrenbeforetheygotobedtoawaitthearrivalofSantaClaus.ThetraditionalChristmasDinneriseatenonChristmasDay.Thisusuallyconsistsofroastturkey,mashedpotatoes,cranberrysauceandvarietiesofotherdishes.Dessertsincludepumpkinpie,plumpuddingandfruitcake.Valentine’sDayValentine'sDayiscelebratedonFebruary14eachyear.TodayValentine'sDayiscelebratedinmanycountriesaroundtheworld,mostlyintheWest.Theoriginal"St.Valentine"wasaliturgicalcelebrationofoneormoreearlyChristiansaintnamedValentinus.ThedayfirstbecameassociatedwithromanticloveinthecircleofGeoffreyChaucerintheHighMiddleAges.ModernValentine'sDaysymbolsincludetheredrose,chocolatesandthefigureofthewingedCupid.Sincethe19thcentury,handwrittenvalentineshavegivenwaytomass-producedgreetingcards.Therearedifferentopinionsastotheoriginofit.SomethinkthatitoriginatedfromSt.Valentine,aRomanwhowasmartyredforrefusingtogiveupChristianity.HediedonFebruary14,269A.D.,thesamedaythathadbeendevotedtolovelotteries.LegendalsosaysthatSt.Valentineleftafarewellnoteforthejailer'sdaughterwhohadbecomehisfriend,andsignedit"FromYourValentine".OtheraspectsofthestorysaythatSaintValentineservedasapriestatthetempleduringthereignofEmperorClaudius.ClaudiusthenhadValentinejailedfordefyinghim.In496A.D.PopesetasideFebruary14tohonorSt.Valentine.BesidessomesaythatValentine’sDayisrootedinthestoryofthemartyredValentine.ValentinewasapriestwhoservedduringthethirdcenturyinRome.WhenEmperorClaudiusIIdecidedthatsinglemenmadebettersoldiersthanthosewithwivesandfamilies,heoutlawedmarriageforyoungmen-hiscropofpotentialsoldiers.Valentine,realizingtheinjusticeofthedecree,defiedClaudiusandcontinuedtoperformmarriagesforyoungloversinsecret.WhenValentine'sactionswerediscovered,ClaudiusorderedthathebeputtodeathandSaintValentinewasburiedonthedayofFebruary14th.LaterloverswhogotmarriedwiththehelpofValentinebegantomemorializehimonthisday.Gradually,February14becamethedateforexchanginglovemessagesandSt.Valentinebecamethepatronsaintoflovers.Thedatewasmarkedbysendingpoemsandsimplegiftssuchasflowers.Therewasoftenasocialgatheringoraball.TodayonSaintValentine’sDaypeoplesendrosesorchocolatestotheirbelovedpersons.Entertainmentisanotherimportantpart.Theymaygoouttothestreetanddancecrazilywithstrangers.Thisalsoreflectsthatwesternersaremoreopen-minded.St.Valentine’sDayisnowadayforsweethearts.Itisthedaythatyoushowyourlovetosomebodyyourcare.Peoplecansendcandiestotheonetheythinkisspecial.Ortheycansendroses.MostpeoplesendagreetingcardnamedafterthenotesthatSt.Valentinesentfromthejail.Valentinescanbesentimentalromanticandheartfelt.Theycanbefunnyandfriendly.Ifthesenderisshyvalentinescanbeanonymous.Americansofallagesliketosendandreceivevalentines.Handmadevalentinescreatedbycuttingheartsoutofcoloredpapershowthatalotofthoughtwasputintomakingthempersonally.Valentinescanbeheart-shaped.ComparisonofSpringFestivalandChristmasDaySimilaritiesSpringFestivalandChristmaspaymoreattentiontofamilyreunion.OntheEveofNewYearandChristmasEve,everyfamilygetstogethertochatwithothersandhaveabigdinner.Theyarelookingforwardtoagoodfutureandthenexchangegiftstoexpresstheirgoodwishes.Fromthecustomsofthetwofestivals,weknowtheybothhavefestivalsymbols.InSpringFestival,thesymbolsarespringcouplets,thepaper-cutsforwindow,theNewYearpaintingandsoon,whileinChristmas,thesymbolsareChristmastreeandSantaClaus.Thesesymbolsexpressprayerandhopes.Redisthepopularcolorinthetwofestivals.Thetwofestivalslastformorethanoneday.Peopleprepareforthembeforetheircomingandcelebratethemforseveraldays.Thebusinessmenseizethischancetosellallkindsofgoodsandmakebigmoneyduringthesedays.DifferencesTheChineseSpringfestivalhasnoreligiousbackgroundwhileChristmashassomethingtodowithGodandthereisSantaClauswithwhitebeardtobringchildrenpresents.ThewesternerssendeachotherChristmascardsforgreetingswhiletheChinesepeoplepayacalloneachother.SpringFestivalisatraditionalfestivalinChina.It’salsoaveryimportantfestivalintheworld.SpringFestivaloriginatedintheShangDynasty.TillnowduringSpringFestivalalltheChinesepreparetocleanthedust,pasteNewYearcouplets,prepareaNewYear’sEve,eatdinner,setofffirecrackers.Mostoftheseactivitiesarethepurposeofworshipingancestorsprayingforagoodharvest.ChristmasistheliteralmeaningofcelebrationofChristafestivalcommemoratingthebirthofJesus.ThebirthofJesustotheworlditisthemostimportant“goodnews”becauseitistheirchoiceofGodcametoeartheverypersonnomatterhowimpureanduncleanorhowmuchsinhehascommitted,hejustneedstoconfesstoGodthatheissinfulandbelievesinJesusChristandthebloodshedbyJesuscancleanseallhissin.AndheispardonedandacceptedbyGodreceivingeternallife.TheseactivitiesformarebasicallythesameastheSpringFestivalbutthecontentsareessentiallydifferent.ThecustomsoftraditionalChinesefestivalsconsiderfoodanddrinkasthethemebutthewesternregardentertainmentsasthetheme.TheSpringFestivalisthemostimportantfestivalinChina.InadditiontoNewYear’sgreeting,thereareNewYear’sscrollsfirecrackersandotherpractices;TheNewYear’sEvefamilydinnerisalsoanimportantcustom.Dumplingsareabsolutelynecessary.Christmasisoneofthemostimportantfestivalinwesterncountry.Theforeignerspursuethehealthandhappiness,inadditiontothediettheybelieveinGodandthenparticipateinReligionService.Thustheybecomepurifyandhappyfromtheactivities.TheSpringFestivalinChinamainlystemsfromseasonsandlunarperiodswhicharecloselyrelatedtoagriculture.Christmasinwesterncountriesgenerallystemsfromreligionanditsrelativeevents.SpringFestival,isformedbasedontheancientcalendar.Accordingtosolartermsandharvest,thedateforcertainagriculturalactivitieshasbeenfixed.Therefore,thecelebrationalsohasclosetieswithagriculture.Christmasisareligiousfestival.Accordingtoourcommonsense,wecandrawabriefconclusionthatreligionmustplayadominantroleinwesternsociety.Infact,thereligionisacenterofcultureandsociety.Peopleresponsetheirmindonreligion,meanwhilereligioncontrolspeoplethroughpeople’sbeliefinGodorspirit.ComparisonofDouble-SeventhDayandValentine’sDaySimilaritiesDouble-SeventhDayandValentine’sDayarebothromanticfestivalsforlovers.Double-SeventhDayiscalledChineseValentine’sDay.Theflowersarethemainsymbolofthem.Theyarefestivalsforlovers.NowadaysDouble-SeventhDayismoreandmorelikeValentine’sDay.Theyaresimilar,butstillhavesomedifferencesinsomeaspects.DifferencesDouble-SeventhDayandValentine’sDayaredifferentinorigin.TheDouble-SeventhDayisalsocalledtheFestivaltoPrayforhandcraftingSkills.Chinesegirlsalwayswantedtohaveagoodhandcraftingskillliketheweavinggirl.Onthatnight,theunmarriedgirlsmayprayfortheweavinggirlstartoletthembecomesmarter.WhenthestarVegaishighupinthesky,girlsdoatest,whichistoputaneedleonthewatersurface.Iftheneedledoesn'tsink,thengirlisalreadysmartenoughandreadytofindahusband.Valentine’sDayisrootedinthestoryofthemartyredValentine.ValentinewasapriestwhoservedduringthethirdcenturyinRome.WhenEmperorClaudiusIIdecidedthatsinglemenmadebettersoldiersthanthosewithwivesandfamilies,hewentagainsttheemperorandhelpedtheyoung.Valentine,realizingtheinjustice,continuedtoperformmarriagesforyoungloversinsecret.WhenValentine'sactionswerediscovered,ClaudiusorderedthathebeputtodeathandSaintValentinewasburiedonthedayofFebruary14th.LaterloverswhogotmarriedwiththehelpofValentinebegantomemorializehimonthisday.Inthewest,Valentine’sDayisthetraditionaldayonwhichloversexpresstheirloveforeachotherbysendingValentine’scards,presentingflowers,orofferingcandies.AllthedifferencesanalyzedabovebetweenChineseandAmericantraditionalfestivalsareformedundertheparticularhistoricalbackgroundandspecificculturalfeatures.Thefollowingpartisdevotedtotheunderlyingfactorsthathavecausedsuchdifferences.Double-SeventhDayandValentine’sDayaredifferentinactivities.OnDouble-SeventhDaypeoplecanshowtheirlovetotheirbelovedpersonswithouthesitation.Peoplewillsendgiftstoeachother.Girlsprayfortheirlovesecretly.Intheeveningpeoplewatchcowherdandwavinggirlmeetoreavesdroptheirwordsunderthefruitsframeworkwhenthetwomeetinheaven.WhileonSaintValentine’s