Hope for Peace and Abundant Harvests
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People living in rural areas still like to put up paper-cuts as window decorations during Spring Festival. |
The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring. Chinese people generally hope that a bountiful harvest, career promotion, peace, health, and all things good will occur in the new year. They place all their wishes and hopes upon the successful start of a new year, and celebrate it by wearing their best clothes, eating sumptuous food, and indulging in all kinds of recreational activities.
Another reason to celebrate Spring Festival is to say farewell to the past, in the hope that all distress, disease, and other misfortune that may have occurred will be gone forever, along with the past year.
In real life, the eve of Spring Festival also signifies a kind of deadline, or turning point, as the end of a year is generally the time to clear debts. In the past, those owing money but incapable of repaying debts had no option but to flee, in order to avoid their creditors, not daring to return home until the Spring Festival, as throughout these auspiciously festive days it was considered unlucky to broach a negative or disagreeable topic.
The end of a year is, however, mostly a happy time, when due payment is received and a holiday is enjoyed by all. People buy new clothes and other goods to celebrate Spring Festival, and then go home for a period of real relaxation.
February 2002 China Today
