【正文】 Three Kings, arrived carrying gifts for the infant. Then people follow suit to give presents to the children on Christmas. A brief history of ChristmasTradition dictates that the occasion has been memorated since 98 . In 137 ., the Bishop of Rome ordered that the birthday of Jesus Christ be observed as a solemn feast. In 350 ., Julius I (another Bishop of Rome) selected December 25th as the observance of Christmas. This date was made official in 375 ., when it was formally announced that the birth of Jesus would be honored on this day...the announcement also allowed some of the older festivities (such as feasting, dancing and the exchange of gifts) to be incorporated into the observance of Christmas. The use of greenery to decorate homes continued to be prohibited as pagan idolatry but, over the centuries, this became an accepted custom of the festivities, too.Christmas was the most important Christian celebration by the 12th century. It began as a solemn, religious celebration. Prayer and spirituality were emphasized over colorful theatrics. Soon, nonreligious ideas of decorations, gift giving, and feasting became popular. Customs Christmas means Christ39。lantern, traditionally a hollowedout pumpkin carved to resemble a grotesque face and illuminated by a candle placed inside. The Jacko39。 Day (now called All Saints39。s parties in their homes where lovers have a blast in the pany of friends. Those without a partner organize Valentine39。s Valentine. Many also choose to propose their dates in such a romantic setting and say the golden words, ‘I love you39。s Greetings include images of popular Valentine39。 Wedding Day” in parts of Sussex. Exchanging notes and giftsOne of the most monly observed Valentine39。s love with an exchange of cards, flowers and gifts. Pampering one39。s daughter who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 39。s Day contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Legend of Valentine’s DayOne legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine39。s Day in China. Customs and traditionsTraditionally Qixi (Double Seventh festival) is a time for couples to spend time together and for everyone to gaze at the Milky Way and recount the story of the Cowhand and the Weaver Maid. Begging for deftness and love In the past Qixi was also known as the “Daughter’s Festival” and the “Begging for Skills Festival” because girls would conduct ceremonies ,like make tables, light candles and present fruits in their courtyard, to honor Zhi Nu and beg her to bring them wisdom, dexterous hands and a satisfying marriage. And girls would wait under the grape vine to eavesdrop the talk between the Cowhand and the Weaver Maid. If she does hear it, it’s said that she would get immortal love in her life. Holding petitionIn some provinces of China girls would hold needlework and weaving petitions, or offer fruit and pastries as sacrifices to Zhi Nu. What39。s death. So people had to eat their cold food on that day, or the day of Hanshi. In addition, people began to visit Jie Zitui39。er decided to reward the officials who had stayed with him through his years of wandering. But he forgot about Jie Zitui who had sacrificed the flesh of his leg. Jie Zitui was heartbroken and enclosed himself in a hill. Later Chong39。s Day. The 20th of the Twelfth Moon was set aside for the annual housecleaning, or the sweeping of the grounds. Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the New Year. Sweeping out the old means weling in the new and old business from the past year is cleared up.Spring couplets, written in black ink on large vertical scrolls of red paper, were put on the walls or on the sides of the gateways. These couplets, short poems written in Classical Chinese, were expressions of good wishes for the family in the ing year. Family celebrationOn the last few days of the old year, everyone is busy either in preparing food for the next two days, or in going to the barbers and getting tidied up for the New Year’s Day. Tradition stipulates that all food be prepared before the New Year’s Day, and that all sharp instruments, such as knives and scissors, could be put away to avoid cutting the luck of the New Year. The New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations were strictly family affairs. All members of the family would gather for the important family meal on the evening of the New Year’s Eve. Even if a family member could not attend, an empty seat would be kept to symbolize that person’s presence at the banquet. At midnight following the banquet, the younger members of the family would bow and pay their respects to their parents and elders. Lucky money (Also called HongBao) Money is placed in these envelopes and given to children and young adults at New Year’s time. Presents are also often exchanged between families. Children who get the lucky money is wished for a progress on school work and physical body and the old who is given by the young is wished for a good health and a ripe old age. Clear Brightness FestivalClear Brightness, meaning clear and bright, is the day for mourning the dead. It falls on early April every year. It corresponds with the onset of warmer weather, the start of spring plowing, and of family outings. Legend of Clear Brightness FestivalBefore we talk about Clear Brightness Festival, we must say something about another ancient event, Hanshi, which always es one day before Clear Brightness Festival.Hanshi literally means cold food. It is said that in the seventh