1. 在中国，人们用十二生肖（Twelve Animal Signs）来记录周而复始的日期。2.即：每一年有一个动物代表，每个十二年进行一个循环。3.这十二个动物分别是：鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。4.十二生肖在中国民间传说中有其文化内涵，占星术（horoscope）就是由其发展而来的。5.例如，马年出生的人被认为“快乐、受欢迎、爱恭维他人”。
In China, people use the Twelve Animal Signs to record the cycle of years.
It means that each year is represented by an animal/and every 12 years form a cycle.
These twelve animals are mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep as well as monkey, chicken, dog and pig.
The animal signs have their cultural connotations in Chinese folklore and horoscope has been developed around them.
For example, a man (who is) born in the Year of the Horse would be thought/considered to be “cheerful, popular and loving to compliment others/fond of complimenting others”.
1.丝绸是中国古老文化的象征，为促进世界人类文明的发展做出了不可磨灭的贡献。2.中国丝绸以其卓越的品质、精美的花色和丰富的文化内涵而闻名于世。3.几千年前，当丝绸沿着丝绸之路传向欧洲，它所带去的，不仅仅是一件件华美的服饰、饰品，更是东方古老灿烂的文明。4.从那时起，丝绸几乎就成为了东方文明的传播者（the emissary）和象征。
Silk is the symbol of ancient Chinese culture and has made an indelible contribution to the development of world civilization.
The Chinese silk is known throughout the world for its excellent qualities, exquisite designs and rich cultural connotations.
Several thousand years ago, when the silk trade first reached Europe via the Silk Road, it brought with it not only the gorgeous silk apparel and decorative items, but also the resplendent ancient Oriental civilization.
From then on, silk has been regarded as the emissary and symbol of the Oriental civilization.
1.中国人喜欢在一起吃饭，这个传统可以追溯到很久之前。2.这反映出中国人喜欢团圆不愿分离的观念—圆桌、圆盘、还有圆碗都象征着团圆和美满。3.盘子通常放在桌子的中央，这样坐在一桌子面前的听有人都可以吃得到。4.一锅热汤尤其可以增加和谐、团圆的气氛。5.朋友们在一起吃饭、生活。 6.最近一位美国汉学家（Sinologist）的著作认为，中国人的集体观念就是从一同吃饭发展而来的。
Chinese like to eat together, a tradition that can be traced back far back in time.
It shows that the Chinese like reunion instead of separation—round tables, round dishes, and round bowls all symbolize reunion and perfection.
Dishes are usually placed at the center of the table so that everyone around the table can share them.
A hot pot, in particular, adds to the atmosphere of harmony and reunion.
Friends eat and live together.
A recent book by an American Sinologist held that Chinese collective tradition develops out of the practice of eating together.
1.农历五月初五是中国的端午节。2.传说这是为了纪念2000多年前的诗人屈原而形成的节日，同时也是人们祈求农业丰收，驱除瘟疫（pestilence）的节日。3.相传屈原投江后，人们为了不让鱼鳖咬食屈原的躯体，就用竹叶或苇叶（reed leave），包上粮食投入江中，以喂饱鱼鳖。4.这样就流传下来端午节吃粽子的习俗。5.用龙头、龙尾装饰的木船称作龙舟。6.龙舟最初表达屈原投江后，人们寻救他的迫切心情，后来成为端午流行的一项民间体育竞技活动。
The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
The story goes that the day is for commemorating the patriotic poet Qu Yuan who died more than 2000 years ago. It’s also a day to pray for agricultural harvests as well as to drive pestilences away.
Legend has it that in order to keep the fish away from eating Qu Yuan’s body, people would throw rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves into the water to feed the fish.
That’s how the tradition of eating zongzi (rice dumplings wrapped in leaves) around the Dragon Boat Festival started.
The dragon boat is made of wood, with mythical dragon head and dragon tail decorations on it.
Dragon boat racing originally showed people’s wish to rescue Qu Yuan from drowning, and gradually became a popular competitive mass sport.
1.农历正月十五是灯节，也叫元宵节。2.元宵节标志着春节喜庆的结束。3.元宵节过后，一切又恢复正常。4.灯节活动热闹非凡，人们充满无比的喜悦。5.在灯节这天整个夜晚花灯充满整个街道，人们载歌载舞，形成了一个群众性的娱乐活动。6.长期以来，人们不断制造各种精美、奇异的花灯以及各种爆竹和烟花来增添灯节的热闹气氛。
The Lantern Festival，also known as the Yuanxiao Festival, falls on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.
And after the Lantern Festival, everything returns to normal.
Various kinds of activities are held on the Lantern Festival, filling people with great joy.
On that day, the whole street is decorated/adorned with festive lanterns and people sing and dance throughout the whole night, forming a mass recreational activity.
For a long time, people have continuously produced various kinds of elegant and strange lanterns, firecrackers and fireworks to make the Yuanxiao Festival even more alive.
1.京剧是中国式戏剧的一种，被看作是中国文化的瑰宝。2.京剧集合动作、歌唱、对话和独白、杂技、舞蹈为一体，讲述一个故事或刻画不同人物并表达他们的情感，如开心、愤怒、伤心、喜悦、惊奇、害怕和悲痛。3.京剧里一般有四类角色：生（男子）、旦（青年女子）、净（花脸，男）、丑（小丑，男女皆有）。4.无论忠奸、美丑或是好坏，都能在京剧中得以生动的表现
Peking opera is a form of Chinese opera, which is widely regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China.
Peking Opera is a synthesis of stylized action, singing, dialogue and monologue, acrobatics and dancing, representing a story or depicting different characters and expressing their feelings of gladness, anger, sorrow, happiness, surprise, fear and sadness.
In Peking Opera there are four main types of roles: sheng (male), dan (young female), jing (painted face, male), chou (clown, male or female).
The characters, whether they be loyal or treacherous, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, all are vividly represented.
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