Colorful years

Before embarking on the writing of the main text, I would like to discuss the topic of the Chinese New Year atmosphere with my friends who care about me. My topic is "Talking about the Chinese New Year Atmosphere on the First Day of the Lunar New Year".

As the dawn broke through the darkness of the first day of the Lunar New Year, I slowly awoke from my sweet dream. However, to my surprise, the once deafening and continuous sound of firecrackers was nowhere to be found in this day and age.

The lively and joyous scene depicted in the line "Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the old year departs; the spring breeze brings warmth to the New Year's wine" seems to have gradually become a lingering echo deep in our memories.

In today's society, discussions about the lack of traditional New Year's atmosphere are rampant. People can't help but wonder why the atmosphere created by modern New Year's celebrations always seems unable to match the richness and depth of traditional New Year's celebrations.

I often find myself lost in such reflections. Upon closer examination, the modern New Year, compared to the traditional New Year, does indeed fall slightly short in the following aspects:

Firstly, the sound of firecrackers has faded. Due to restrictions on the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers, the once vibrant and festive atmosphere of Lunar New Year's Eve and New Year's Day has been greatly diminished. The sound of firecrackers, a hallmark of traditional New Year customs, now only echoes in the river of memory, prompting a sigh for the gradual fading of the festive spirit.

Secondly, there's a shift in material pursuits. With the continuous improvement of living standards, people have entered a moderately prosperous society, and their pursuit of food and clothing is no longer as intense as in the past. Previously, people could only wear new clothes and enjoy sumptuous delicacies during the New Year. Now, these have become commonplace in daily life. Therefore, the modern New Year's celebrations in terms of clothing and food are difficult to compare with those of the traditional New Year.

Thirdly, the gradual disappearance of festival customs. In the past, farmers' celebrations of the New Year would continue until after the Lantern Festival, creating a rich and vibrant festive atmosphere. However, with the changing times, these customs have gradually disappeared, resulting in a weaker festive atmosphere for the modern New Year.

However, we must clearly realize that although everything in the world is constantly changing and time is passing by like flowing water, there is one aspect that has never changed.

Those are the wanderers who drift in foreign lands, far from home. Whether they hold a prominent or humble position in society, whether they are thousands of miles apart or close at hand, as the New Year approaches, their deep longing for their hometown and their endless yearning for their loved ones will surge into their hearts like a raging tide.

These travelers will always do their utmost, try every means, and overcome numerous difficulties and obstacles to embark on the journey home, just so that they can reunite with their families during the most crucial time of the year—the Spring Festival—and welcome the arrival of the new year together.

We should still cherish and pass on those invaluable New Year customs. Perhaps, through creative means, we can allow traditional New Year customs to flourish with new vitality in modern society.

For example, we can develop environmentally friendly alternatives to fireworks and firecrackers that can meet people's needs during festivals while effectively reducing pollution to the environment.

We can organize various traditional folk activities so that people can personally experience the unique charm of traditional culture through active participation.

We can also promote traditional customs such as family gatherings and handicrafts, so that people can find a sense of belonging in their busy modern lives.

In conclusion, the first day of the Lunar New Year is not only the beginning of a new year, but also an important moment for us to reflect on and inherit traditional culture. Let us join hands and work together to bring back the festive spirit and allow traditional culture to shine even more brilliantly in modern society.

Back to topic.

The Spring Festival of 1987 was filled with a rich, intoxicating atmosphere, like a fine wine, permeating the air with a unique charm that defies easy description. This was the seventh New Year since the reform and opening up, and the entire country was undergoing tremendous changes.

With the continuous improvement of living standards, people's anticipation and enthusiasm for the Spring Festival have reached an unprecedented level. The market is filled with a dazzling array of goods, and the streets and alleys are filled with laughter and joy, with everyone's face beaming with a happy and radiant smile.

In the preceding narrative, we learned that the protagonist, Zhang Cong, accepted his girlfriend Wang Li's invitation and accompanied her from the distant Xiangxi Prefecture to Lanxi Town in Yiyang, a land of fish and rice by Dongting Lake, just to visit Wang's family and celebrate the Chinese New Year.

When he stepped into the Wang family's gate, he immediately felt the warm welcome from his future in-laws. They greeted their future son-in-law with kind words and warm, sunny smiles. From their words and actions, it was clear that his future in-laws were extremely satisfied with Zhang Cong and had completely accepted him both emotionally and practically.

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, Lunar New Year's Eve has quietly arrived. On this day, whether you are a public servant in a government agency or a self-employed individual; whether you are a wealthy person or an ordinary citizen, every household is immersed in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.

Everyone enthusiastically hung up red lanterns and pasted red couplets, decorating their front doors to give them a fresh new look, and joyfully welcoming the arrival of the Year of the Dragon in the most beautiful way.

In the Wang family, with many children and relatively high daily expenses, their finances were somewhat strained. However, the matriarch, Ms. Guo Jinxian, unhesitatingly squeezed out a full one hundred yuan from the already meager family budget and gave it to her two sons, Wang Shu and Wang Lei, to buy fireworks and firecrackers.

You know, this seemingly small amount of one hundred yuan might not mean much to some people, but for Ms. Guo Jinxian and her husband, it was the salary they earned by working tirelessly from dawn till dusk for a whole month! However, Ms. Guo did not hesitate at all.

Because she knew perfectly well that this New Year's Eve held extraordinary significance for her whole family. What did this little bit of money matter when it meant she wanted her family to spend a joyful and unforgettable night together?

Meanwhile, on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, near dusk, the Wang family also welcomed a joyous occasion. A couplet personally inscribed by Zhang Cong was pasted on either side of the main gate: the first line read, "The spring breeze of reform warms the earth, all things are renewed," and the second line read, "The policy of opening up revitalizes China, a hundred schools of thought contend," with the horizontal inscription "Spring returns to the earth." The couplet, with its vigorous and powerful strokes and the fragrant ink, conveyed praise and earnest anticipation for a better life in the new era, attracting passersby to stop and admire it, praising it highly.

Before this, Ms. Guo had been very frugal, buying a brand new set of clothes for every member of her family. When she noticed that Zhang Cong's clothes were a bit worn, she took him to the largest tailor shop in Lanxi on the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month and had a new set of clothes made specifically for him to wear during the New Year.