Traditions
In Cantonese, the New Year greeting "Gong hei fat choy" (恭喜发财) is commonly used. What is the equivalent Mandarin greeting that specifically wishes someone a prosperous New Year, and what are its characters?
在广东话中，新年贺词“恭喜发财”是常用的。具体祝愿某人新年兴旺的普通话问候语是什么？它的特点是什么？
"Gōng xǐ fā cái" (恭喜发财).
In ancient China, horses were so valuable that they were associated with what essential aspect of military power?
在古代中国，马是如此珍贵，以至于它们与军事力量的哪个重要方面联系在一起？
Cavalry (or a strong army/national defense).
骑兵（或强大的军队/国防）。
The Horse occupies the 7th position in the zodiac. According to legend, why did the Horse come in 7th place in the Great Race?
马在十二生肖中排名第七。传说中，为什么马在大赛中只获得了第七名呢？
The horse was galloping fast and almost won, but was startled by the snake suddenly appearing from beneath its hooves, causing it to rear back and lose its position.
马儿飞奔而来，几乎就要赢了，但突然有一条蛇从它的蹄下冒了出来，吓得它后腿一软，失去了位置。
According to legend, what was the name of the monster that came to harm people before Chinese New Year?
传说中，春节前夕来祸害百姓的怪物叫什么名字？
Nian.
Complete this famous horse idiom: 马到______
成功 (mǎ dào chénggōng - immediate success)
The character "福" (fú) is often displayed upside down during New Year. This is a wordplay based on what homophone?
春节期间，人们经常把“字”（fú）倒挂出来。这是一个基于什么同音字的文字游戏？
"Dào" (倒 - upside down) sounding like "dào" (到 - arrival), meaning "good fortune has arrived"
“Dào”（颠倒）听起来像“dào”（到来），意思是“好运已经到来”。
During the Han Dynasty, the "Heavenly Horses" (天马) were legendary creatures. Where did these horses supposedly come from, and why were they so highly prized?
在汉代，“天马”是传说中的生物。这些马应该来自哪里，为什么它们如此珍贵？
Ferghana Valley (in modern-day Uzbekistan), prized for their "sweating blood" (likely caused by parasites) and superior strength for cavalry?
费尔干纳山谷（今乌兹别克斯坦境内），因其“汗血”（可能是由寄生虫引起的）和骑兵的超强力量而闻名？
People born in a Horse year are said to have a specific "lucky direction." Which direction is most auspicious for them?
据说属马的人有特定的“幸运方位”。那么，对他们来说，哪个方位最吉利呢？
East.
The Nian monster was afraid of three things. Name two of them.
年兽害怕三样东西。请说出其中两种。
The color red, loud noises/firecrackers, and fire.
红色、巨响/鞭炮声和火焰。
This idiom, "塞翁失马" (sài wēng shī mǎ), teaches a lesson. What is the English meaning?
"A blessing in disguise"? (Bad luck can turn into good luck.)
“塞翁失马，焉知非福”？（厄运也可能变成好运。）
In some regions, people avoid eating porridge for breakfast on New Year's Day. What is the traditional belief behind this?
在一些地区，人们避免在元旦早餐喝粥。这背后的传统信仰是什么？
Eating porridge suggests poverty and a poor harvest for the coming year.
喝粥意味着来年的贫穷和歉收。
The idiom "千里马" (qiān lǐ mǎ) literally means "a thousand-li horse." What does this idiom describe about a person?
“千里马”（qiān l / m /）这个成语的字面意思是“千里马”。这个习语描述了一个人的什么情况？
A person of great talent or potential who needs a wise leader to recognize and employ them.
一个有天赋或潜力的人，需要一个明智的领导来认识和利用他们.
In the zodiac, some animal signs are more compatible than others. Which three animals are the Horse's best friends?
在十二生肖中，有些生肖比其他生肖更合拍。哪三种动物与属马的人最相配？
Tiger, Dog, and Goat.
In the zodiac race story, the Rat used clever tricks to win first place. What two animals did the Rat trick or ride to help cross the river, and how did the Rat treat each one?
在十二生肖赛跑的故事中，鼠用计谋赢得了第一名。鼠骗了哪两种动物（或者骑着它们）帮助自己过河？鼠又是如何对待它们的？
The Rat tricked the Cat by not waking it up for the race, then rode on the Ox's back across the river and jumped off at the last moment to win.
老鼠骗猫去参加比赛，没有叫醒它，然后骑着牛过河，在最后一刻跳下牛，赢得了比赛。
In the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a famous general owned a horse named "Red Hare" (赤兔马). What was special about this horse?
在《三国演义》的故事中，一位名将拥有一匹名叫“赤兔马”的马。这匹马有什么特别之处呢？
It could run extremely fast (1,000 li in a day) and was very loyal.
它跑得非常快（一天跑 1000 英里），而且非常忠诚。
The reunion dinner (年夜饭) has specific seating arrangements and customs. In traditional families, why might an empty seat and place setting be left at the table?
团圆饭有特定的座位安排和习俗。在传统家庭中，餐桌上为什么会留下一个空座位和餐具？
To honor deceased ancestors, symbolically inviting them to join the family celebration.
为了纪念已故的祖先，象征性地邀请他们参加家庭庆祝活动。
The famous Terracotta Army includes thousands of horses. What do these clay horses and chariots represent about Qin Shi Huang's view of the afterlife?
著名的兵马俑包括数千匹马。这些泥马和泥车代表了秦始皇对来世的什么看法？
He believed he would need the same military power and transportation in the afterlife as he had in life.
他相信他在死后需要和生前一样的军事力量和交通工具。
Each zodiac animal is connected to a specific time of day. Which two-hour period belongs to the Horse, and why?
生肖中的每个动物都与一天中的特定时间段相对应。马对应的是哪两个小时？为什么？
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
When horses are most active and energetic.
当马匹最为活跃和精力充沛时
The Kitchen God (灶神) reports to the Jade Emperor during New Year. What do families give him, and why?
灶神在新年期间向玉皇大帝汇报。家家户户都会给灶神送什么礼物，为什么？
Sweet things (like candy) to sweeten his words or make his mouth sticky so he can't say bad things about the family.
用甜食（比如糖果）来甜化他的言语，或者让他的嘴巴黏糊糊的，这样他就说不出关于家人的坏话了。
The idiom "犬马之劳" (quǎn mǎ zhī láo) means "the labor of a dog and horse." When would someone use this phrase?
成语“犬马之劳”的意思是“狗和马的劳作”。人们会在什么情况下使用这个短语呢？
When offering to serve someone loyally, like a servant offering their hard work to their master.
像仆人向主人献上辛勤劳动一样，忠诚地为某人服务。
In Chaoshan (潮汕) region, a unique New Year's Eve tradition involves placing specific objects under the pillows of children. What are these objects, and what is the complete cultural significance behind this practice?
在潮汕地区，除夕夜有一个独特的传统，就是在孩子们的枕头下放一些特殊的东西。这些物品是什么，这种做法背后的完整文化意义是什么？有四个物体。
Red envelopes, five-colored threads, oranges, and incense ashes" placed under children's pillows to ward off evil spirits, ensure peaceful sleep, bring good luck, and receive blessings from ancestors and deities.
红包、五色线、橙子和香灰放在孩子们的枕头下，以驱邪，确保睡眠安宁，带来好运，并接受祖先和神灵的祝福。
Throughout Chinese history, horse trading and tribute played a crucial role in diplomacy. Explain the significance of the "tea-horse trade" (茶马互市) between China and Tibet.
在中国历史上，马匹交易和朝贡在外交中扮演着至关重要的角色。请解释中国与西藏之间“茶马互市”的意义。
China traded tea for Tibetan war horses, a system that began in the Tang Dynasty and flourished under the Song, establishing vital trade routes and political alliances.
中国用茶叶换取西藏战马，这一体系始于唐朝，并在宋朝时期蓬勃发展，建立了重要的贸易路线和政治联盟。
A "Fire Horse" (丙午) year is considered unlucky in tradition. When was the last Fire Horse year, and what superstition is connected to it?
在传统观念中，“丙午”年被认为是不吉利的。上一次出现丙午年是哪一年？它又与哪些迷信习俗有关？
1966.
Girls born in this year are difficult and bring misfortune.
今年出生的女孩性格乖戾，会带来厄运。
The legend of "Sui" (祟) explains two New Year traditions. What are they, and what did Sui do?
隋炀的传说解释了两个新年习俗。这两个习俗是什么？隋炀又做了什么？
Sui was a demon who harmed sleeping children, leading to the traditions of giving red envelopes (hongbao) for protection and staying up late (shousui) to guard children?
隋朝是一个会伤害熟睡孩童的恶魔，由此产生了给孩子发红包祈求平安、守夜看护孩的传统习俗。
The Tang Dynasty painter Han Gan was famous for painting horses. What made his painting style different from other artists?
唐代画家韩干以画马闻名。他的绘画风格与其他画家有何不同？
He painted horses from real life observation instead of copying older paintings, capturing their true spirit.
他没有临摹旧画，而是根据对现实生活的观察来创作马匹画作，捕捉到了马匹的真实神韵。