二月二龙抬头：龙抬头的来历及习俗

 　　Longtaitou Festival is a traditional Chinese festival held on the second day of the second month of the Chinese calendar.

　　每年农历的二月初二是中国的传统节日——龙抬头。

　　The name literally¹ translates to "Dragon Raises Head Day". In the tradition of Chinese culture, the dragon is believed to be the king of all creatures and the ancestor for human being. It is also regarded as the deity² in charge of rain, an important factor in ancient agriculture.

　　龙抬头如果按照字面意思直译成英语就是"Dragon Raises Head Day"。在中国的传统文化中，龙被信奉为万物之王、人类的始祖。另外龙也被认作是古代农业文化的重要元素之一——掌管降雨之神。

　　Today, it's a little less agriculturally-inclined, and ways to celebrate in style include eating pancakes and noodles, and, believe it or not, getting a haircut or an entirely³ new hairstyle.

　　如今，龙抬头不再像过去那样和农业息息相关。现在流行的庆祝方式包括吃春饼、吃面条；另外，信不信由你，还可以去理个发或是换个新发型。

　　In ancient times, people burned incense⁴ to chase odors from the home, ensuring spring arrived fragrant⁵ and fresh and full of good fortune. Sewing was forbidden, as the needles might bring bad luck by piercing the dragon's eye. Spreading plant ashes around jugs⁶ was also common, as that would urge the dragon to fill them with rainwater.

　　古时候，人们会在龙抬头熏香以驱赶家里的味道，以确保春天到来后，家里有着新鲜芳香的空气以及满满的好运。缝纫是被禁止的，因为缝针可能会刺到龙的眼睛从而带来坏运。另一种常见的习俗是把草木灰洒在水缸旁边，因为人们认为这样可以引龙来布施雨水将其灌满（撒灰引龙）。

　　So start making pancakes, and book that hair appointment today - you'll want to make sure you're ready for Long Tai Tou!

　　所以说，大家开始制作春饼吧，再预约理个发，证明你已经准备好迎接“龙抬头”的到来！

1 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

2 deity   

n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物)

参考例句：

• Many animals were seen as the manifestation of a deity.许多动物被看作神的化身。
• The deity was hidden in the deepest recesses of the temple.神藏在庙宇壁龛的最深处。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 incense   

v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气

参考例句：

• This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
• In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。

5 fragrant   

adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的

参考例句：

• The Fragrant Hills are exceptionally beautiful in late autumn.深秋的香山格外美丽。
• The air was fragrant with lavender.空气中弥漫薰衣草香。

6 jugs   

（有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Two china jugs held steaming gravy. 两个瓷罐子装着热气腾腾的肉卤。
• Jugs-Big wall lingo for Jumars or any other type of ascenders. 大岩壁术语，祝玛式上升器或其它种类的上升器。