双语硕硕说 | 元宵节：a date for love

元宵节是我国历史最悠久且延续至今的一个传统节日。中国农历正月十五即为元宵节，这一天的到来也为热烈喜庆的中国春节画上了一个圆满句号。

Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Festival, is the earliest existing carnival in China. It falls on the 15th day of the first month on Chinese lunar calendar. Its arrival also marks the end of Spring Festival celebrations.

元宵节起源自汉代，传承了2000余年的元宵节不断吸纳着更多文化价值。对于中国人来说，元宵节就是要“团圆”。

The history of the festival could be traced back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), and the celebrations were gradually enriched, expanded and settled in succeeding dynasties. With a history for more than 2,000 years, the Lantern Festival is a traditional folk festival as well as an important occasion for family reunions.

一直以来，元宵节是合家团聚的日子，但对于在外工作和求学的游子来说这个节日却暗含一抹淡淡的忧伤，因为元宵节一过他们将惜别团圆告别家乡，怀揣乡思再次踏上新一年的征程。今年受疫情影响所倡导的“就地过年”，或许对于很多人来说又是一个别样难忘的元宵节。

On that day, families get together, savor delicious food, and enjoy festive folk art performances. For those working or studying away from home, it is time to bid farewell to their families and set out on a journey in a brand new year.

赏花灯、猜灯谜、吃汤圆（元宵）是元宵节必不可少的“过节大礼包”。这些耳熟能详的“元宵元素”已是老生常谈，此篇不再赘述。关于元宵节，今天硕硕想说的是一件很多中国人也容易忽视的事情——其实，元宵节是最地道的中国情人节。

Aside from the customary to appreciate beautiful lanterns, solve latern riddles and eat glutinous rice dumplings (tangyuan or yuanxiao) during Lantern Festival, it is rarely known, even to many Chinese people, that the Lantern Festival is indeed a day for love in Chinese history-- the real Chinese Valentine’s Day.

在很长一段时间里，“上元节”或“元夕”是古人对“元宵节”的称呼。这一天也是中国传统节日中最浪漫的节日之一。

The Lantern Festival was also known as the “Shang Yuan” Festival or "Yuanxi" in ancient days, it was almost the only time for young men and women to meet with each other and fall in love.

古代元宵节由于开禁，人流如织，男女相遇，元宵灯会给未婚男女相识提供了一个机会，易于产生爱情。

Despite the fact that most Chinese dynasties had curfews during the night, all the people were allowed to stay out on the days around the Lantern Festival. The festive atmosphere, the performances, and the moonlight jointly created the best time for a date.

在封建的传统社会中，年轻女孩是不被允许自由外出活动的，但过节却可以结伴出门游玩。而元宵节赏花灯正好是一个出门交谊的绝佳机会。

In ancient times, the Chinese women, who had to stay indoors for most of their lives, were permitted to admire the lanterns and the full moon on the day as well.

盛装打扮的年轻男女借着赏花灯、逛灯会，悄悄“偶遇”心上人。笑语盈盈暗香去，凤箫声动，玉壶光转，一夜鱼龙舞。

Dressed in their most beautiful clothes and putting on their most shining hairpins, the ancient Chinese, noblemen and ordinary people included, would swarm the streets, where dancers and musicians, acrobats and vendors would gather as fireworks were lit and lanterns displayed.

众里寻他千百度
蓦然回首
那人却在
灯火阑珊处

But in the crowd once and again
I look for her in vain.
When all at once I turn my head,
I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.

正因如此，元宵节实乃地地道道的中国传统“情人节”。

It is undeniable that in Chinese history, Lantern Festival or Shangyuan Festival is indeed a day for love.

除了花灯、汤圆和灯谜，元宵节更是一个爱的节日呀！爱亲朋好友，爱世间万物，去爱，去享受爱吧！

Lantern Festival, a date for love，just enjoy the love from and for the world!

编译/  等着吃汤圆的硕硕

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