格隆汇2月17日｜2月16日农历除夕，美国国务院网站发布国务卿鲁比奥关于农历新年的新闻公报。"我 谨代表美利坚合众国，向所有庆祝农历新年的人们致以最诚挚的祝福。"️鲁比奥在公报中说，"值此马年 来临之际，我们礼赞这一节日所承载的传统与习俗。正是这些文化，使农历新年对美国乃至世界各地数 以百万计的人们意义非凡。农历新年是亲友团聚、回顾过往、并以希望与决心展望新一年机遇的时 刻。"鲁比奥祝福所有庆祝这一节日的人们，在新的一年里健康、幸福与成功。 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article provides a comprehensive guide to the Lunar New Year celebrations in 2026, emphasizing the significance of the Year of the Horse and detailing various traditions and customs associated with the festival [1][3]. Group 1: Lunar New Year Overview - The Lunar New Year, considered the most important festival for the Chinese and global Chinese communities, begins on February 17, 2026, marking a 15-day celebration [3]. - The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal; 2026 is the Year of the Horse, following the Year of the Snake in 2025 and preceding the Year of the Goat in 2027 [4]. Group 2: Traditions and Customs - Common practices during the Lunar New Year include wearing red clothing, hanging red banners, and setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, stemming from the legend of the "Nian" monster [12]. - Preparations for the festival begin about a week before, with activities such as making festive cakes and cleaning the house to remove bad luck from the previous year [15][19]. - The New Year's Eve dinner features dishes symbolizing good fortune, such as fish and dumplings, with variations in regional cuisines across China [23][26]. Group 3: Celebration Activities - The first few days of the Lunar New Year are dedicated to visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts, and distributing red envelopes filled with money to unmarried individuals, believed to bring good luck [30][31]. - The seventh day of the Lunar New Year is celebrated as "Renri," or the birthday of humanity, with various traditional foods prepared [34]. - The festival culminates in the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026, marking the end of the celebrations and symbolizing the arrival of spring [36][39].

Group 1 - The Lunar New Year is approaching, leading to a bustling atmosphere in the New Year goods market located on Shanghai Road, filled with traditional decorations such as red lanterns, couplets, and window flowers, creating a festive ambiance [2]

Core Viewpoint - Major Cold, the last of the 24 solar terms, signifies the peak of winter cold and marks the transition to the Chinese New Year, highlighting various cultural practices associated with this period [1][2] Group 1: Seasonal Characteristics - Major Cold occurs between January 20 and 21, representing the coldest time of the year and the period with the least rainfall [1][2] - This season is characterized by frequent cold waves affecting the northern hemisphere, indicating extreme cold conditions [1][2] Group 2: Cultural Practices - Numerous folk customs are observed from Major Cold to the Chinese New Year, including eating glutinous foods, cleaning homes, and preparing for the New Year [1][2] - The Laba Festival is celebrated during this time, featuring the preparation of Laba congee, symbolizing warmth and well-being for the upcoming year [1][2]