题目:浅析中西方对待传统节日的态度
产生的不同文化影响力
The Analysis on Cultural Influence of Traditional Festivals from the Different Attitudes in China and Western Countries
Acknowledgments
First of all, I would like to express my profound appreciation to my supervisor, Professor Yang Ling, for her patient direction and selfness advice in my final study. And I also appreciate all teachers who teach me in past three years, thanks for their guidance and encouragement.
Secondly, I contribute my genuine thanks to my roommates for their enthusiastic gratitude in my study and my daily life as well.
Thirdly, I should express my appreciation to my beloved family for their great confidence in me all through these years. I also owe thanks to my friends who gave me their help and time listening to me and helping me to solve the problem during the difficult course of the thesis.
Abstract
Different countries have different social, cultural and historical background, customs and habits. Festival is one of the most important parts of a nation’s culture and it affects a nation and its faith. The festival culture is profound. Each nation’s festival culture customs are established by usage and each has distinctive national features and rich colorful forms. The thesis introduces some
Chinese and western traditional festivals which we are familiar with and aims to analyze the different cultural effects of attitudes towards different festivals. Key Words: traditional festivals; attitude; cultural influence; China and western countries
摘要
不同的国家有不同的社会、文化、历史背景、风俗和习惯。节日，是一个民族文化的最重要的部分，它影响一个国家或者民族的信仰。节日文化博大精深，各国的节日文化风俗是约定俗成的，有各自鲜明的民族特色和丰富多彩的表现形式。本文介绍并比较我们熟悉的一些中西方传统节日以及中西方对待传统节日的态度所产生的不同文化影响力。
关键词：中西方传统节日，态度，文化影响力，中西方国家
Contents
Acknowledgments (i)
Abstract ················································································································i i 摘要······················································································································i ii
1 Introduction (1)
2 Literature Review (2)
3 The Different Ways and Attitudes to Celebrate the Traditional Festival .. 3 3.1 Christmas Day (3)
3.1.1 The ways to celebrate the Christmas Day in western countries (4)
3.1.2 The ways to celebrate Christmas Day in China (6)
3.1.3 The different attitudes for China and western countries to celebrate
traditional festivals (7)
3.2 Valentine’s Day (8)
3.2.1 The ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in western Countries (9)
3.2.2 The ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China (11)
3.2.3 The different attitudes for China and western countries to celebrate
traditional festivals (12)
4 Conclusion (13)
Bibliography (14)
The Analysis on Cultural Influence of Traditional Festivals from the Different Attitudes in China and Western Countries
1 Introduction
Different people have different attitudes towards the traditional festivals in China and Western countries. There is a discussion among some Internet users about their attitudes and thoughts of traditional festivals. People give their opinions on it.
People hold that nowadays students are very crazy about western festivals, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day. They really enjoy western festival s enthusiastically rather than Chinese traditional festivals. And now there are lots of pleasures for young people. To them, the best relaxing way is to stay with friends and have something for fun. So the festival is the best way for them to get together with others and relax themselves.
Through the paper, the first part at the beginning shows the origin about Christmas Day, then explains the different ways and attitudes for young group how to celebrate the traditional festivals and treat the cultural influence. The second part is still to explain the definition and origin about Valentine’s at first, and main content is the different ways and attitudes for youngsters how to celebrate, then expound the cultural influence.
2 Literature Review
Kou Fuming (14), a reviewer said, among the world economy globalization makes the world links increasing closely, cross-cultural communication is frequent, the cultural tradition becomes the resource shared in the whole world. At the cultures’ fusion, we must insist on the civilization of the nation culture. We should insist on traditional cul ture, keep our own nation’s cultural features and personality, and keep status in our culture.
Jin Shengxia (37) said that the western festivals are very popular in China, especially among young group, but on the other hand, the Chinese festivals are not p opular as western ones. The western festivals’ impact on the Chinese festival is not informed in one time. Its emergence and development in China has various reasons inside and outside, including political, economic, business, education and media.
Li Mi (75) said when the Chinese festivals meet western festivals, the Chinese festivals become more desalination, but they have a special liking on western festival. Two different cultural contact for a long time then the cultural elements are mutual communication, actually is the system to integrate and the progress of acculturation.
3 The Different Ways and Attitudes to Celebrate the Traditional Festival
3.1 Christmas Day
The Christmas Day is a short form of Christ’s mass. It is on December 25th every year. And it is also a kind of church service on a religious festival. On that day people celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. There are special Christmas services in Christian churches all over the world, but many of the festivities of Christmas do not have anything to do with religion.
There was a story about the birth of Jesus. In Nazareth, a city of Galilee, Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found with a child of the holy spirit. Joseph, her husband was minded to put her away secretly, while he thought about these things, Gabriel, an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife, and Mary would give birth to a son, called him Jesus, he would save his people from their sins. Before Jesus birth, Joseph and Mary came to Quirinals. So everyone went to his city went to be registered. Joseph also went up out of Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be registered with Mary. Who was with child. When they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered, and she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
3.1.1 The ways to celebrate the Christmas Day in western countries
December 25 is the day for Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus, known as Christmas. Westerners wear in red, green and white as the Christmas color, Every family decorated with Christmas colors. Red and white for Santa Claus, who is the most popular figures in Christmas activities. On Christmas Eve, before their sleep, the children put a sock next to the fireplace waiting for Santa Claus to present the gifts.
Santa Claus is generally depicted as a fat, jolly man with a white beard, a red suit and he drove a sleigh full of toys drawn through the air by eight reindeer. Santa Claus is said to visit on Christmas Eve, entering houses through the chimney to leave the presents under the Christmas tree in the stockings of all good children and poor.
Christmas tree is used specifically to celebrate Christmas, in the early 1600's in Germany and surrounding countries. The families would set up Christmas trees in a prominent location of their homes and decorate them with colored paper, small toys, food, and sometimes candles. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition with them. There are such colors associated with Christmas such as the red of holly berries, of Santa Claus’s or Father Christmas’ outfit; the green of fir trees; the gold of candles and stars; and the whiteness of snowy fields.
Red is the prominent color and also the color of the month December. As a religious symbol it stands for fire, blood and charity.
Green is a symbol for nature, youth and the hope of eternal life. With a newborn child as its central symbol, Christmas is a feast of hope.
White is a religious symbol which stands for light, purity, joy and glory. White is seen in the rob es of Christmas angels, in Santa’s beard and suit trimmings, as well as in Christmas snow and snow flakes. In the warmer climate, the snow is artificial, so as to show the link with the Northern Yuletide.
Gold stands for sunlight and radiance. It is the color of Christmas stars, tinsel, candles, and electric lights. Christians who were once pagans saw their new God as they had the Sun the radiant being who lights the world. Many artists show Christ in a pool of light, or with a bright halo around his head.
On this day, in the run up to Christmas most houses and streets are decorated with Christmas trees and lots of colored lights. The sound of carols and Christmas song can be heard everywhere especially in shops. Christmas cards are sent to friends and relatives, and most homes will have a tree which is decorated with lights, tinsels and lots of colorful ornaments many of them handmade over the years. Presents are placed under the tree ready to be opened on Christmas Day. Children write letters to Santa Claus, telling him what present they would like to receive for Christmas, and many stores have their own “Santa” for children to meet. Many people attend church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning. The churches are decorated with evergreens, poinsettias and scenes of the Nativity. After the evening service on Christmas Eve, the family will gather together for a time of celebration. Adults
often drink eggnog a drink made of cream, milk, sugar, beaten eggs and brandy or rum and children drink hot coco a, apple cider. Like China’s traditional festival, the Spring Festival, on that day, the Chinese family get together and have a dinner called “tuan yuan”dinner, “The Night before Christmas” is read to children before they go to bed to wait for the arrival of Santa Claus, who arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Stockings are hung up so that Santa can fill them with candies, fruit and other small gifts.
3.1.2 The ways to celebrate Christmas Day in China
With the globalization, more and more foreign cultures are poured into China, including the celebration of Christmas. From the high street to the local barbershop, on December 25, you will find every color and stature of Christmas decoration and trees. Particularly in urban areas, giant trees are erected in front of every supermarket and hotel and restaurant. Though it’s not a public holiday in China, we can actually feel the sweetness of a grand festival.
Christmas celebrations are becoming more popular in China itself. Why is Christmas so widely welcome by Chinese people, especially young people? In my point of view, there are two reasons. First, the Chinese traditional public holiday can provide people an opportunity to relax themselves. On that day, all kinds of different activities would be carried out. They can get together with their best friends or their lover. Second, the diversity of Christmas brings new blood into Chinese culture. It makes our life more brilliant and interesting. Thus more and more people enjoy in such a celebration.
In China, on Christmas, people would also exchange beautiful Christmas gifts with each other. These Christmas gifts are the ideal way to express love and care to the loved ones. Therefore, no matter Christmas is our traditional festival or not, one can participate in the spirit of Christmas celebrations, and share his fantastic feelings with others in such a day. And on Christmas day, you will find there are a large number of young people who get together with their friends, either his or her boyfriend or girlfriend; they are going to have a good dinner and then take a whole night to play with . Singing or dancing, they also take whole night to stay with his friend or her lover.
3.1.3 The different attitudes for China and western countries to celebrate traditional festivals
Every country has its own traditional festivals, and has different influence on cultural background, customs, and religions. For western countries, Christmas Day, just like our Spring Festival, all people want to stay with their relatives, because they can get together with their family members.
Most festivals with a carnival color, but in China, Chinese festivals emphasize reunion. Most young people feel bored and encumbrance, like a burden, so they does not really understand, experience, feeling this traditional festival. And also business and some media’s purpose is just for huge profit, so they put some commercial interests and effort to push the result. There is another reason, in the past, in our country, some people just emphasized the politic life style but played down the traditional and folk customs. Now, the
people are leading a rather affect life, so they need a festival to create the climax of life. They stay together only for fun.
3.2 Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day started at the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their lovers or families. The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. At that time it was the custom in Rome, to celebrate the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.
The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavored to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for
those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine’s Day for the celebration of this new feast. So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year arose in this way.
3.2.1 The ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in western countries
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 of e ach year, the reason why it is celebrated on this day is that this was the day that the Patron Saint of Lovers “St. Valentine” was supposedly executed on.
On this day lovers all around the world mark this occasion as a day for sending poems, cards, flowers or candy, etc. They might also be a social gathering or ball to mark the occasion.
Many Valentine’s Day customs involved ways that single women could learn who their future husbands would be. Englishwomen of the 1700’s wrote men’s names on scraps of paper, rolled each in a little piece of clay, and dropped them all into water. The first paper that rose to the surface supposedly had the name of a woman’s true love.
Also in the 1700’s, unmarried women pinned five bay leaves to their pillows on the eve of Valentine's Day. They pinned one leaf to the center of the pillow and one to each corner. If the charm worked, they saw their future husbands in their dreams.
One of the oldest customs was the practice of writing women’s names on slips of paper and drawing them from a jar. The woman whose name was drawn
by a man became his valentine, and he paid special attention to her. Many men gave gifts to their valentines. In some areas, a young man gave his valentine a pair of gloves. Wealthy men gave fancy balls to honor their valentines.
Valentine cards became popular in Great Britain in the nineteenth century. Noted artist Kate Greenaway created cards which featured joyful children and beautiful gardens. Esther Howland was one of the first Valentine card manufacturers in the United States.
Inspired by a British card, she began production in 1847. Her cards featured lace and paper flowers and leaves. Other card manufacturers emphasized Cupid, the pudgy, winged son of Venus, the goddess of love. In Roman lore, Cupid is known as Eros, the son of Aphrodite.
In the United States and Canada, children exchange valentines with their friends. In some schools, the children hold a classroom party and put all the valentines into a box they have decorated.
At the end of Valentine’s D ay, the teacher or one child distributes the cards. Many children make their own valentines from paper doilies, red paper, wallpaper samples, and pictures cut from magazines. Sometimes they buy kits that include everything needed to make valentines. Many children send their largest, fanciest cards to their parents and teachers.
In Europe, people celebrate Valentine’s Day in many ways. British children sing special Valentine’s Day songs and receive gifts of candy, fruit, or money. In some areas of England, people bake valentine buns with caraway seeds,
plums, or raisins. People in Italy hold a Valentine’s Day feast.
3.2.2 The ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China
Chinese people have adopted the tradition of westerners on celebrating Valentine’s Day, such as exchanging gifts (like flowers, chocolates, tie and watch), making a special date to get out or have a romantic dinner or watch movie in the evening, and even making a marriage registration if Valentine’s Day falling on a work day.
Hence, larger chocolate will be on sale in supermarkets, and comparing with that in ordinary days, cinemas will be much busier and the prices of flowers (especially roses) and restaurants and hotels could be much higher. Many restaurants will have special set menus, especially for those in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. If you want to have a smooth celebration on Valentine’s Day, remember to make reservation as much in advance as you could.
Chinese people also make some changes on celebrating Valentine’s Day. For some senior couples, the husband might prepare a rich dinner or select a dress elaborately for his wife on this day, to show his appreciation.
Most of the gifts for Valentine’s Day are the same as that in western countries. For example for gentlemen: flowers (traditional red roses), chocolates, jewelry, a dress, a fashion bag, underwear (not suitable for lovers who are in the beginning of the affection), a comb, a necklace, etc. for ladies: a watch, a tie, a shirt, a shaver, a wallet, a lighter, etc. As a gentleman, if you choose a bouquet of yellow roses as the gift to your girl without notice, you might need a volume
of explanation because presenting yellow roses to lover generally symbolizes the declaration of breaking up.
Umbrella should not be the gift for your lover because the Chinese of “umbrella”is 伞(san), which sounds the same as 散(san, means breaking up).
Shoes should not be the gift for your lover either because shoes implies “packing off your lover”. However, if you have you lover refunded 1 yuan to you, the taboo will be broken.
3.2.3 The different attitudes for China and western countries to celebrate traditional festivals
In westerners’ eyes, love is the happiness in their life. If life has no love, it would lose infinite interest. So the westerners will call the religion’s paradise the honeymoon forever. The westerners think when people fall in love, someone who adore just like an angel, perfect and absolutely. So a real love can make a soul clearly.
But in China, Chinese know how wonderful the love is, but even know the love is not physiological emotion, so connect love with etiquette. Chinese traditional love still give people a deep experience, and in Chinese people’s opinion about love, respect in love. Most Chinese young people enjoy the festival is that the form is bigger than the content, and without knowing the western festival at all, they still celebrate the festival. This culture is not confident, no collective consciousness.
4 Conclusion
Christmas and Valentine are two distinctive festivals evolving from their own history. They also originate from the different cultural backgrounds.
As the most popular festival in the western world, Christmas Day not only conveys its religious tradition, but also influences people’s daily life. Although the traditional customs associated with Christmas vary with climate, culture, country, and even calendar, the spirit of the day transcends all such difference.
Valentine’s Day now is popular all over the world, especially young generation is crazy about it.
In this paper, we study two different festivals in different countries. Through the study, we know that the origin of two festivals and the young group’s attitudes and ways to face traditional festivals. At last, through the cultural differences comparison between two festivals, we could absorb excellent achievements from the foreign culture, and we could also protect and spread the soul of our nation. At the same time, this paper gives us an opportunity to have a deep understanding about one aspect of western culture.
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