農歷 lunar calendar 正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar 除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year 初一 the beginning of New Year 元宵節 The Lantern Festival Customs: 過年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival 對聯 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry 春聯 Spring Festival couplets 剪紙 paper-cuts 年畫 New Year paintings 買年貨 special purchases for the Spring Festival do Spring Festival shopping 敬酒 propose a toast 燈籠 lantern: a portable light 煙花 fireworks 爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.) 紅包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming year.) 舞獅 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.) 舞龍 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests) 戲曲 traditional opera 雜耍 variety show; vaudeville 燈謎 riddles written on lanterns 燈會 exhibit of lanterns 守歲 staying-up 拜年 pay New Year's call; give New Year's greetings; New Year's visit 禁忌 taboo 去晦氣 get rid of the ill- fortune 祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one's ancestors 壓歲錢 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift

customers of chines new year