Переведите of all festivals in the chinese calendar, the new year is without doubt the most colourful and important. it is celebrated on the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar and so varies every year from late january to early february. on new year's eve families get together for a meal and eat jiaoxi, or dumplings. children are given red lucky money packets but their parents to wish them luck throughout the year. at midnight fireworks light up the sky. on new year's day, people visit relatives, friends and neighbours to wish them peace and happiness. these traditions are passed down through the years – but how did it all start? the story goes that there was once a beast called niah who swallowed up people on earth. he terrified of loud noises and the colour red and, just in case he came back, the people of china put up red decorations and let off firecrackers to scare him away. red is now considered a licky cokour. the festival traditionally ends on the 15th day of the lunar month with the lantern festival when the streets are filled with dragon dances. it is thought that the longer the dragon's tail, the more good he brings to the community. chines new year customs vary from place to place. however the celebrations have the same meaning all over the world – to wish for peace, good luck and happiness
