Fascinating Life in Shanghai
民俗传统/风情
Traditions and Customs
Shanghai is located in the south of the lowest reaches of the Yangtze River， so its customs have much in common with those of other places in that area. Ever since Shanghai was opened as a port for foreign trade， its water transport gradually became busy. Shanghai has become a densely-populated city in which people from many other provinces and countries live in harmony. The customs there have been enriched and Shanghai has developed its own characteristics.
上海位于江南，因此上海的民俗风情与江南地区其他地方有很多相同之处。在开埠之后，上海的水路交通日益繁忙起来。上海演变成了一个人烟稠密、华洋杂居、五方杂处的城市，这也给原有的风俗增添了新的内容，而上海也形成了自己的特色。
As it was developed from a small fishing village， Shanghai strived to keep many of its Chinese folk customs； thus there are several traditional festivals and activities still to be seen there such as New Year Bell Striking， Yuyuan Lantern Festival and Longhua Temple Fair.
上海是从一个小渔村一路发展壮大起来，如今尽力维护着很多中国传统的民间习俗，有很多传统节日庆祝等活动，比如新年撞钟，豫园元宵灯会，以及龙华庙会等。
Besides its modern achievements， Shanghai boasts attractive natural scenery and a special cultural foundation. Therefore a number of modern festivals are held here to show them； for example， Shanghai Peachblossom Festival， International Tea Culture Festival， International Flower Festival， Television Festival， International Arts Festival and Shanghai Tourism Festival.
除了其卓越的现代化成就外，上海还拥有迷人的自然风光和独特的文化底蕴。也正因如此，很多现代的节日也在此举办，例如上海桃花节，国际茶文化节，国际花节，电视节，国际艺术节，上海旅游节。
Lunar New Year's Eve， or 'the 30th of December，'means the last day or night of the lunar year， and that night is also called the Great New Year's Eve. The Chinese character “除夕” means “to eliminate，” therefore that night also means'to eliminate a year.' The 23rd of December of lunar calendar is the Kitchen Day， and people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God. 24th of December is the “Minor New Year's Day”， and from that day through the lunar New Year’s Eve， every household has a general cleaning. They will also do Spring Festival shopping. Pigs and sheep are butchered in the countryside， and people will thresh and polish sticky rice， make all kinds of dim sum and cured meat. New Year pictures are also put up in and out of the houses. People in town often buy some flowers like narcissus， wintersweet or nandina， and put them in vases so as to add to the atmosphere of the festival. When night falls， all family members gather together and eat New Year's Dinner， or the “Family Reunion Dinner，'”in which a big variety of dishes are served.
除夕，即大年三十，是农历的最后一天，故又称“大年夜”。除夕中的“除”字意为“除去”，所以除夕又被叫做“岁除”。农历腊月二十三为灶日，人们都要祭拜灶神。腊月二十四为“小年”，从这一天起到除夕，家家户户都要打扫卫生，购置年货。在农村人们则杀猪宰羊。大家磨糯米粉，制作花样繁多的点心，腌制各种腊味，年画也贴了起来。城里的人们还往往买来水仙、腊梅、天竺等等插在家中花瓶里以增添节日气氛。夜幕降临，全家团聚吃年夜饭，也叫团圆饭，享用丰盛的菜肴。
Staying up all night， citizens usually watch TV at home and wait “to see the Old Year out and the New Year in.”
到晚上，市民一般在家观看电视节目，熬夜守岁。
When the bell tolls for the New Year， firecrackers are let off to welcome the new spring. For security’s sake， firecrackers are banned in town.
新年钟声敲响时，霎时间鞭炮齐鸣，迎接新春的到来。而如今考虑到安全因素，市区已禁放鞭炮。
The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. January 1st of the lunar calendar is the Chinese New Year. Early morning， people are well dressed and the whole family pays a visit to the elder generation. Peers send New Year greetings to each other. The senior members of a family will give money in a red envelope to the children as New Year gifts to congratulate on their growth. In the afternoon of the New Year’s Day and the following two days， people will visit their relatives and friends， and many people have made use of modern technologies： they send regards to each other through videophones and the Internet.
春节是我国人民最重视的一个传统节日。农历正月初一是传统的新年。初一一大早，人们都穿戴整齐，全家向长辈拜年，平辈之间也相互拜年。家中长辈还要用红包给孩子们分发压岁钱，祝贺他们又长一岁。初一下午以及初二、初三外出拜年。而今通讯越来越发达，不少人也利用电话、网络等现代科技相互拜年。
On the 4th day of the New Year， many people buy fresh carp to welcome the God of Wealth， since the character “鲤” (carp) sounds similar to “利” (wealth)， and a red carp with its head and tail lifted up look just like a gold ingot (sycee，Yuanbao). All streets are busy during the first five days of the New Year， and people go on pilgrimage to the temples in an endless stream.
正月初四，不少人都买了活鲤鱼“迎财神”，因为“鲤”和“利”读音相近，且鲤鱼昂首翘尾的姿态像极了大元宝。初一到初五，街上热闹非凡，前往寺院进香的人们络绎不绝。
Stores are closed in the first three days of the New Year， and some are even closed till the fifth day， the only days for relaxation in a year for the staff. The God of Wealth is received on the fifth day， and people have a big meal that night.
商店在初一到初三都停业，叫做“封关”，也有一些停业到初五，这是一年中职工们唯一休息的日子。初五接财神，晚上吃财神酒。
January 15th is the Lantern Festival. People eat wontons in the day and rice dumplings in the evening. During the festival， large awnings are set up in old districts of Shanghai， and all kinds of lanterns together make a splendid view. Sailing boats with lanterns float in great numbers in the Huangpu River. Lanterns are also put up in the fields to anticipate a golden harvest. “Lantern Dragon Show” is a wonderful festival performance in western suburbs and Jiading Nanxiang. The performance is accompanied by gongs and drums， and sometimes there are dozens of lantern dragons pursuing a dragon ball.
正月十五是元宵节。人们一般白天吃馄饨，晚上吃汤圆。节日这天，上海的很多老城区内搭起高大的灯棚，挂上各种花灯，蔚为壮观。黄浦江上樯帆林立，桅杆上挂着灯，遥似繁星。田间地头也挂起灯盏，名曰“望田灯”，预兆“五谷丰登”。“耍龙灯”是在西郊和嘉定南翔一带的热闹的节庆表演，表演时伴以锣鼓，有时还会有数十条龙灯表演戏龙珠。
During the Lantern Festival， women were supposed to cross three bridges. It is said that the family would get rid of all diseases if the women go across three big bridges at a night with bright moonlight. This could be easily done since there were quite a few bridges in old Shanghai， among which the Lu Stone Bridge usually drew more attention.
过去妇女们在元宵节还要“走三桥”，据说如果在月色皎洁的夜晚走过三座大桥，全家就可以终年无疾。旧时上海城内城外水渠交错纵横，桥梁多，走过三座桥也就很容易。而当时去小东门外走一走陆家石桥的人尤为多。