Festivalsandcelebrations课文.doc

Festivals and celebrations  Festivals and celebrations of all kinds have been held everywhere since ancient times. Most ancient festivals would celebrate the end of cold weather, planting in spring and harvest in autumn. Sometimes celebrations would be held after hunters had caught animals. At that time people would starve if food was difficult to find, especially during the cold winter months. Todays festivals have many origins, some religious, some seasonal, and some for special people or events. 自古以来，世界各地就有各种各样的节日和庆典。大多数古老的节日都是庆祝严寒的结束，春季的种植和秋天的收割。有时，当猎人捕获猎物后，也举行庆祝活动，在那个时代，如果食物难以找到，特别是在寒冷的冬天，人们会挨饿。现在的节日有很多由来，一些事宗教上的，一些是季节性的，一些是纪念特殊的人和事件的。Festivals of the Dead Some festivals are held to honour the dead or to satisfy the ancestors, who might return either to help or to do harm. For the Japanese festival Obon, people should go to clean graves and light incense in memory of their ancestors. They also light lamps and play music because they think that this will lead the ancestors back to earth. In Mexico, people celebrate the Day of the Dead in early November. On this important feast day, people eat food in the shape of skulls and cakes with bones on them. They offer food, flowers and gifts to the dead. The Western holiday Halloween also had its origin in old beliefs about the return of the spirits of dead people. It is now a childrens festival, when they can dress up and go to their neighbours homes to ask for sweets. If the neighbours do not give any sweets, the children might play a trick on them. 亡灵节有些节日，是为了纪念死者，或使祖先得到满足，因为祖先们有可能回到世上（给人们）提供帮助，也有可能带来危害。在日本的梦兰盆节，人们要扫墓、烧香，以缅怀祖先。他们还点起灯笼，奏响乐曲，因为他们认为这样做可以把祖先引回到世上。在墨西哥，亡灵节是在11月初。在这个重要的节日里，人们会吃制成颅骨形状的食物，和装点有骨头的蛋糕。他们向亡者祭献食物、鲜花和礼品。万圣节也源自人们古老的信念，认为亡者的灵魂会返回人间。万圣节如今成了孩子们的节日，这天他们可以乔装打扮到邻居家要糖吃。如果邻居什么糖也不给，孩子们就会捉弄他们。Festivals to Honour People Festivals can also be held to honour famous people. The Dragon Boat Festival in China honours the famous ancient poet, Qu Yuan.In the