【英語閱讀】“中國式情人節”-------元宵節

The Lantern Festival has been part of Chinese New Year celebrations since the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 221 AD).

 自漢朝（公元前206年—公元221年）起，元宵節就已成為了春節慶祝活動的一部分了。

 It is said that the holiday evolved from an ancient Chinese belief that celestial spirits could be seen flying about in the light of the first full moon of the lunar calendar. To aid them in their search for the spirits, people used torches. These torches gave way to lanterns of every shape, size and color.

據說，這個假期是從中國古代的一種信仰演變而來的，即在農歷的第一個滿月的照耀下可以看到天上的靈魂飛來飛去。為了幫助他們尋找靈魂，人們使用了火把。這些火炬讓位于各種形狀，大小和顏色的燈籠。 

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 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.

盡管大多數中國朝代都在夜間實行宵禁，但在元宵節期間，所有人都被允許留在外面。那些不得不長期呆在室內的中國女性，也被允許在當天欣賞燈籠和滿月。 

Therefore, it was almost the only time for young men and women to meet with each other and fall in love, according to experts.

據專家介紹，這幾乎是年輕男女相互見面并墜入愛河的唯一時間。 

The other evidence of the Lantern Festival being Chinese Valentine’s Day is recorded in Chinese literature. In the thousands of ancient poems passed on from the Tang and Song dynasties, many depicted ardent love for their partners.

元宵節是中國情人節的另一個證據記錄在中國文學中。在唐宋時期傳來的數千首古代詩歌中，許多人描繪了對伴侶的熱愛。

延伸閱讀：

【情人節】送花的學問，約會送什么花？送多少？

【英語閱讀】情人節實用的約會英語對話

【英語詞匯十句】還不錯的情人節短信