First, the origin of the Spring Festival:

In ancient times, there was a fierce monster called Nian, who went from house to house on the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, foraging for human flesh and killing creatures. On the thirtieth night of the twelfth lunar month, Nian arrived in a village, and it happened that two cowboys were competing for a whip. "Nian" suddenly heard the sound of whipping in mid-air, and ran away in fear.

It ran to another village, and saw a door basking in a red dress. It didn't know what it was, so it turned around and ran away. Later, he came to a village, looked into the door of a family, and saw the bright lights inside, which made him dizzy and had to slip away again, with his tail between his legs.

From this, people realized that Nian is afraid of noise, red and light, so they thought of many ways to resist it, such as setting off firecrackers, and gradually evolved into the custom of celebrating the New Year today.

2. Customs of the Spring Festival:

1. Dust sweeping: On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, which is called "eaves dust day" by the people, every household sweeps eaves dust, cleans doors and windows, and washes quilts to welcome the new year cleanly.

2. Eat New Year's Eve: At the end of the year, people come home from all directions to reunite, cook several big dishes to worship their ancestors, and then have a dinner.

3. Celebrating the New Year: On New Year's Eve, people sit around the stove and stay up all night, catching up with the old and talking about the new.

4. Hanging New Year pictures: Carp, magpie and plum branches, and three stars of Fu Lushou are often used as themes to show that there are more fish every year, and the eyebrows (plums) are happy and the lucky stars are shining high.

5. Posting Spring Festival couplets: Write couplets in red paper and post them on the portal. The content is either congratulations, lyricism or expression of ambition. Sticking Spring Festival couplets adds some festive cultural atmosphere to the Spring Festival.

3. Etiquette for New Year greetings

1. Choose a proper time for New Year greetings.

2. Pay attention to dressing neatly during the Spring Festival.

3. "Auspicious words" should be said appropriately.

4. Be polite when you receive things during the New Year.

Fourth, the origin of Yuanxiao

Yuan Shikai is still unhappy after becoming a big president, and he still wants to be an emperor. Because his dream can't come true, he is troubled all the time. One day, his aunt said that she wanted to eat Yuanxiao. As soon as the words came out, Yuan Shikai slapped her in the face. Since "Yuanxiao" and "Yuan Xiao" were homophonic, Yuan Shikai gave an order to his men, and they were not allowed to say "Yuanxiao" again, but only "Tangyuan". Later, someone wrote a doggerel on this matter: "The poem goes back to the previous dynasty, and the water floats when it is steamed and boiled." Hong Xian issued a ban that Yuanxiao was not allowed to be shouted along the street.

With the passage of time, there are more and more activities in the Lantern Festival. In many places, traditional folk performances such as playing dragon lanterns, playing lions, walking on stilts, rowing dry boats, dancing yangko and playing Taiping drums are added during festivals. This traditional festival, which has been passed down for more than 2, years, is not only popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, but also celebrated year after year in areas inhabited by overseas Chinese.