Comparative analysis of the key Chinese and Western Traditional Festivals英语毕业论文范文

Acknowledgements

I should like to thank the following people for their invaluable assistance in the writing of this dissertation.

In the completion of this dissertation, I am extremely grateful to my supervisor, Ms Zheng Sanliang, for her instruction and enlightenment concerning intercultural communication and other fields, valuable suggestions during the period in which this dissertation was being written, generosity in spending her precious time revising this dissertation meticulously, and her encouragement as well.

Thanks should also be extended to my lovely classmates and roommates, without whose help and encouragement the completion of the dissertation would have been impossible.

Abstract

Since festival culture is the precious cultural heritage of a nation，the traditional festivals of that nation are marked with its distinct national features and rich presentation forms. By comparison between the key Chinese and Western traditional festivals, it can be seen that Chinese and western festivals serve as an intriguing window into their cultural differences. The traditional practices find expressions in the origins and customs of every national festival, which in turn reflect the morality of the whole nation and its people. What traditional festivals of different nations differ goes hand in hand with the existing pattern and ways of living of these nations, which is clearly shown in the following.

Firstly, different religious beliefs bring about different religious ideas. The westerners believe in only one God who they believe helps them in every aspect while Chinese people worship one particular immortal, out of many immortals, which can do them good. Besides, Chinese people advocate “harmony between human being and nature” and regard the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the gods as important as that to their ancestors, which is contrary to the westerners who only bear the God’s blessings in mind.

Secondly, different cultures lead to different functions of traditional festivals. Western traditional culture is mainly Christian culture while Chinese culture is a culture of which the Confucian school takes up much proportion while other various schools of thought some. The main function of Chinese traditional festivals is not in giving people a chance to let loose but in inheriting the ethical morality, thus lacking what the public needs for recreation. By contrast, there are much more recreation than ethical teachings in some western ones, like carnivals, thereby granting more chances of showing individuality and indulging in amusement.

Thirdly, different ways of expressing feelings give birth to different modes of celebrating festivals. The westerners express their feelings bluntly and fervently while Chinese people do exquisitely and implicitly. Therefore, the westerners tend to carouse together with many people, even with the strangers，yet Chinese people center their festival celebrations on the activities of the family.

Though differences of traditional festivals are formed for the above reasons, there are still similar points among different cultures, like origins and festival contents. In other words, they share some of the same features.

Key Words: traditional festivals    culture    differences   similarities

摘  要

节日文化是一个国家宝贵的文化遗产，因此传统节日具有鲜明的民族特色和丰富多彩的表现形式。通过对中西重大节日的对比，可以发现中西方节日是一扇窥视文化差异的迷人窗户。传统实践在每个民族节日的历史渊源及风俗中得到体现，而这也反映了该民族及其子孙后代的道德观。以下几点清楚地表明了不同民族传统节庆之差异，都与该民族的生存形态及生活方式的差异密切相关。

第一，不同宗教信仰带来不同的宗教观念。西方人只信奉，在他们看来，全能的上帝。而中国人认为世上有众神，在众神中信奉“为我所用”的神灵。此外，中国人信奉“天人合一”，同等重视祭祖和祭神，这与西方人只记挂上帝的恩赐是不同的。

第二，不同文化产生传统节日的不同作用。西方主要是基督教文化，中国传统文化的历史渊源是以儒家为主、兼有诸子百家各学派的文化。中国传统节日的主要功能在于伦理道德的传承而不是给人们以欢娱休闲的机会，缺少世俗所需要的娱乐色彩。相反，西方一些节日，如狂欢节，伦理色彩弱，娱乐的色彩要强得多，因此更能给现代人以充分张扬个性和享受欢娱的机会。

第三，不同的情感表达方式导致不同的节日欢庆方式。西方人热情奔放地宣泄自身情感而中国人细腻含蓄地表达感情。比如庆祝节日，西方注重众人同欢，即使是陌生人，而中国注重家庭内部活动。

尽管不同文化的传统节日因上述原因而存在差异，但它们之间也存在相同点，比如起源及节日内容。

关键词：传统节日    文化    不同点    相同点

Contents

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………i

Abstract(English)………………………………………………………………….….ii

Abstract(Chinese)……………………………………………………………………….iv

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………..………1
2. Typical Chinese traditional festivals…………………………………………………2
   • Spring Festival………………………………………………………….…….….2
     • Origin of Spring Festival…………………….……………………….…..…2
     • Customs…….…………………………….….…………………………….….3
       • Thorough cleaning………………..…….……………….….………3
       • Family celebration………………..….…..………….……….…….3
       • Lucky money…………………….……..………….……………….4
     • Clear Brightness Festival…………………………..……………….……………4
       • Legend of Clear Brightness Festival…………….…………………………4
       • Customs……………………………………………………………………5
         • Sweeping the tombs……….……………………..……………..…5
         • Going out for hiking…………………………………………..……5
         • Flying kites…………………………………………………………6
       • Double Seventh Festival………………………………….………………..…….6
         • Legendof Double Seventh Festival……………………….………………..6
         • History of Double Seventh Festival……………………………………….7
         • Customs and traditions…………………………………………………….8
           • Begging for deftness and love……………………………..……….8
           • Holding competition………..…………….……………..…………8

3. Typical western traditional festivals…………………………………………………8

3.1 Valentine’s Day…………………………………………..………………………9

3.1.1 Legend of Valentine’s Day………………………………….….………….9

3.1.2 Traditions and customs………………….………………………………10

3.1.2.1 Looking for dates……………….……….….…….…………… 10

3.1.2.2 Exchanging notes and gifts…….…….…….…….……………..10

3.1.2.3 Dining out……………………………………………………….11

3.2 Halloween……………………………………………….…..………………….11

3.2.1 Origin of Halloween………………………………….………..…………12

3.2.2 Customs of Halloween……………………………………………………12

3.2.2.1 Making jack-o’-lantern……………………………….…………12

3.2.2.2 Tricking or treating…………..……………………….…………13

3.2.2.3 Attending costume parties.………………………………….…..13

3.3 Christmas……………………………………………………………………….14

3.3.1 Origin of Christmas……..………………………………….……………14

3.3.2 A brief history of Christmas………………………….………………….14

3.3.3 Customs…………………………………………….……………………15

3.3.3.1 Celebrating Christmas Eve………………………………………15

3.3.3.2 Making decorations………………………………………………16

3.3.3.3 Singing carols……………………………………………………16

4. Analysisof Chinese and western traditional festivals……………………………..17

4.1 Differences.…………….……………………………………………..……….17

4.1.1 Religious belief………………………….……..………………………..17

4.1.2 Ethical culture……………………………….……..…………………….18

4.1.3 Ways of expressing feelings……………………..……….………………20

4.2 Similarities……………………………………….…………………………….22

4.2.1 Origins……………………………………………………………………22

4.2.2 Festival contents………………………….……………………………….23

5. Conclusion……………………………………………….…………………………24

References……………………………………………………………………………26

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