西方传统节日介绍Valentine'sDay(情人节)(February14)St.Valentine'sDayisaninformalobservance(非正式的庆祝)ofalover'sholiday.Today,theobservancehasnoconnectionwiththemanylegendary(传说的)St.Valentines,andholdsnoreligioussignificance.Thedayisobservedwithexchangesoflovenotesandcards,andothertokens(标志)ofaffection(感情),calledvalentines.ThesymbolsoftheheartandCupid(丘比特)arecommonincards,decorationsofstorewindows,candiesandotherparaphernalia(随身物品).Traditionalvalentineswerefrilly(装饰的)sweet,andtender(温情的)affairsmadeofredandwhitepaperandlace(花边)withcutouts(剪下的图样)andcupids.Thecustomofsendingcards,givingcandy,andothersuchtokenshascaughtagreatdealofcommercialenthusiasm(积极性).Manystores,forinstance,decorate(装饰)seasonally,oraaccordingtocalendarholidays(日历).Valentine'sDayisthefirstexcuseforsplashy(显眼的)valentinetheme(主题)dominatesstationery(文具)stores,candystores,confectioneries(甜食制造业),andquiteoftendrugstoreswherecardsandcandyaresold.Easter（复活节）(ThefirstSundayafterthefirstfullmoonfollowingthevernalequinox(春分))Easterisimportantforseveralreasons.Primarily(主要)itisatimeforfamiliestogettogethermuchlikeChristmasorThanksgiving.Theyusuallyhavealargemealandservetraditional（传统的）dishessuchasbakedham(火腿).Inaddition,thereisacommercialaspect(商业特征)ofEaster.Itisatimewhenmanufacturers(制造商)ofcandyandchocolatecanselltheirproducts.Theymakechocolatesintheshapeofeggsandrabbitssincethosethingsareassociatedwith（与……联系）springandEaster.Finally,Easterisareligiousholiday.ManyAmericansgotochurchonthatdayiftheyareChristianstocelebratetheresurrection(耶酥复活)ofChrist.Symbols(象征)whichweseeatEasterarechicks,flowers,eggs,basketsforchildrentodyeEastereggsandthentohidethem.Otherchildrenlookfortheeggsandcollecttheminbaskets.PeopleoftengetnewclothesforspringforaroundEastertime.Doll'sDay女儿节(初)ThethirdofMarchisanexcitingdayforlittleJapanesegirls.TheyknowitasDoll'sDay.Onthatday,anyhouseholdwhichhasadaughteragedbetweenthreeandsevendecoratesthehousewithtraditionaldolls.Theyrepresenttheroyalfamilyandmembersofthecourt.Theyareextremelydelicateandfinelydressed.Thedollsmayhavebeeninthefamilyforseveralgenerations,ortheymayhavebeennewlypresentedtothedaughterofthehouse,usuallybythegrandparents.Thelittlegirlsdonotmerelylookatthedollsdisplayedinthehouse.Theythemselvesaredressedinelaboratekimonos,againoftraditionaldesign.Thentheirparentsaccompanythemtothesacredshrines.Aftertheycomebackhome,specialricecakesareeaten.Doll'sDayinJapanisforthegirls,buttheboyshavetheirownturnlater.TheirfestivaloccursonMay5th,andthistimethehousearedecoratedwitharmour,emphasizingatraditionalmaleroleAprilFool'sDay愚人节(初)AprilFool'sDayisthefirstdayofApril.Thesportoftheholidayistoplaysillybutharmlessjokesonfamilymembers,co-workers,andfriends.AvictimofoneofthesepranksiscalledanAprilfool.Ifonesucceedsintrickingsomeone,onelaughsandsays,`AprilFool`,andthenthepersonwhohasbeentrickedusuallylaughs,too.ThisholidayoriginatedinFrance.WhentheFrenchfirstadoptedtheGregoriancalendarin1564,somepeoplecontinuedtousetheoldcalendartocelebrateNewYear'sDayonApril1.ThesepeoplewerecalledAprilFools.ThecustomofplayingtricksonthisdaybecamepopularinFranceandthenspreadtomanyothercountries.AprilFool'sjokesareasingenious,humorous,orcruelasthepeoplewhoperformthem.Herearesometypicalpranks:__Tellingsomebodytocallthezooandaskto...
