2017年英語考試大綱的調整傳遞出主要信號：在英語學習上重視和突出中華傳統價值觀，重視語言應用，回歸了英語作為語言功能的本質。高考英語更重視考查學生閱讀能力、跨文化交際能力和思維能力。因此掌握一些傳統文化名詞和背誦一些傳統文化方面的範文，對提高聽力、閱讀理解、作文成績有著很大的幫助！
今天這篇關於中秋節的文章，希望同學們認真閱讀！奇速君祝大家中秋節快樂！
奇速君語
中秋節： Mid-autumn Day/ Mid-autumn Festival
What is Mid-Autumn Festival?
To the Chinese, Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion and peace. The festival is celebrated when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest. To the Chinese, a full moon is a symbol of prosperity, happiness, and family reunion.
對中國人來說，中秋節意味著團聚、平安。人們覺得，中秋節的月亮最大、最圓。滿月象徵著繁榮、幸福和團圓。
How the Chinese Celebrate Mid-Autumn？
Many traditional and meaningful celebrations are held in most households in China, and China's neighboring countries. The main traditions and celebrations include eating mooncakes, having dinner with family, gazing at and worshipping the moon, and lighting lanterns.
大部分中國家庭以及中國的鄰國都會舉行許多傳統的慶祝活動，主要慶祝方式包括吃月餅，吃團圓飯，賞月和點燈籠。
Why Mid-Autumn Festival is Celebrated and How it Started？
Mid-Autumn Festival has a history of over 3,000 years, dating back to moon worship in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC). It’s such an important festival that many poems were written about it, stories and legends about the festival are widespread, and its origins have been guessed at and explained by generations of Chinese.
中秋節有三千多年歷史，可以追溯到商代時對月亮的崇拜。因為中秋節的重要地位，歷代詩人都會為中秋節寫詩，關於中秋節的故事、傳奇在民間廣為流傳，中秋節的起源也被歷代中國人探究。
The term "Mid-Autumn" first appeared in the book Rites of Zhou (周禮), written in the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). But the term only related to the time and season; the festival didn't exist at that point.
「中秋」一詞最早出現在戰國時期《周禮》一書中，但是該詞只和時間和季節有關，當時還沒有中秋節。
In the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), it was popular to appreciate the moon. Many poets liked to create poems related to the moon when appreciating it. There is a legend that Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty visited the Moon Palace in his dream and heard a wonderful song.
唐代時賞月風靡，詩人在賞月之時佳作連連。據傳，唐玄宗曾在夢中去往月宮並聽到優美的歌聲。
In the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD), the 15th day of the 8th lunar month was established as the "Mid-Autumn Festival". From then on, sacrificing to the moon was very popular, and has become a custom ever since.
北宋時期，農曆八月十五才被正式確立為中秋節，從那以後，為月亮獻祭盛行，從那以後便成為風俗。
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month， usually in early September to early October of the Gregorian calendar with full moon at night. It is a time for family members and loved ones to congregate and enjoy the full moon - an auspicious symbol of abundance，harmony and luck. Adults will usually indulge in fragrant mooncakes of many varieties with a good cup of piping hot Chinese tea， while the little ones run around with their brightly-lit lanterns.
每年農曆八月十五日，是傳統的中秋佳節。這時是一年秋季的中期，所以被稱為中秋。在這天，每個家庭都團聚在一起，一家人共同觀賞象徵豐裕、和諧和幸運的圓月。此時，大人們吃著美味的月餅，品著熱騰騰的香茗，而孩子們則在一旁拉著兔子燈盡情玩耍。
The festival has a long history. In ancient China， emperors followed the rite of offering sacrifices to the sun in spring and to the moon in autumn. Historical books of the Zhou Dynasty had had the word "Mid-Autumn". Later aristocrats and literary figures helped expand the ceremony to common people. They enjoyed the full， bright moon on that day， worshipped it and expressed their thoughts and feelings under it. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907)， the Mid-Autumn Festival had been fixed， which became even grander in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties， it grew to be a major festival of China.
中秋節有悠久的歷史，和其它傳統節日一樣，也是慢慢發展形成的，古代帝王有春天祭日，秋天祭月的禮制，早在《周禮》一書中，已有「中秋」一詞的記載。後來貴族和文人學士也仿效起來，在中秋時節，對著天上又亮又圓一輪皓月，觀賞祭拜，寄託情懷，這種習俗就這樣傳到民間，形成一個傳統的活動，一直到了唐代，這種祭月的風俗更為人們重視，中秋節才成為固定的節日，《唐書·太宗記》記載有「八月十五中秋節」，這個節日盛行於宋朝，至明清時，已與元旦齊名，成為我國的主要節日之一。
The Mid-Autumn Festival probably began as a harvest festival. The festival was later given a mythological flavour with legends of Chang-E， the beautiful lady in the moon.
中秋節最早可能是一個慶祝豐收的節日。後來，月宮裡美麗的仙女嫦娥的神話故事賦予了它神話色彩。
The Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival
According to Chinese mythology， the earth once had 10 suns circling over it. One day， all 10 suns appeared together， scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved when a strong archer， Hou Yi， succeeded in shooting down 9 of the suns. Yi stole the elixir of life to save the people from his tyrannical rule， but his wife， Chang-E drank it. Thus started the legend of the lady in the moon to whom young Chinese girls would pray at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
傳說古時候，天空曾有10個太陽。一天，這10個太陽同時出現，酷熱難擋。弓箭手後翌射下了其中9個太陽，拯救了地球上的生靈。他偷了長生不死藥，卻被妻子嫦娥偷偷喝下。此後，每年中秋月圓之時，少女們都要向月宮仙女嫦娥祈福的傳說便流傳開來。
說起中秋節你可能還沒有老外懂得多？在中國快10年的逗比老外司徒給你講講中秋節的來歷
The Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋節是中國人一年中除春節外最重要的節日。跟許多節日一樣，中秋節跟古代傳說有關，本篇裡就提到了兩個流傳最為廣泛的傳說：嫦娥與后羿、天宮玉兔的故事。
Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important Chinese festival of the year (after Chinese New Year). As with many festivals, its traditions and rituals are tied to ancient legends. Here are two of the more popular ones.
The Story of Chang』é and Hou Yi
In the days of long ago, the Earth had nine suns. The suns blazed so brilliantly that they scorched everything on Earth. Trees and plants withered, rivers dried up, and no crops could grow. The people began to starve. The Jade Emperor summoned the best archers in the land to shoot down the suns.
A young archer named Hou Yi raised his bow to the sky, and one by one, shot down each of the suns until only one remained. For his success in saving the Earth, the Jade Emperor awarded him the Pill of Immortality. Although he appreciated the Jade Emperor’s reward, Hou Yi didn’t want to take the pill and become immortal. It would mean he would have to leave his wife, Chang』é, whom he loved very much, and live up in the Heavens. So he asked Chang』é to hide the pill. Hou Yi had an archery student named Peng Meng. Peng Meng found out about the Pill of Immortality and wanted it for himself. One day when Hou Yi was out hunting, Peng Meng went to Chang』é and demanded the pill. She refused to give it to him, but knowing that she could not defeat him, swallowed the pill so he could not have it. Immediately, she became light as a feather and rose higher and higher into the sky until she reached the moon. Because she could not return to Earth, the Jade Emperor made her the Moon Goddess.
When Hou Yi returned home and found out what had happened to Chang』é, he was heartbroken. He gathered all her favorite fruits, and laid them on an altar to worship her. People in the village heard about Chang』é’s fate, and they also began to worship the moon. This is how moon worship became a Chinese tradition.
However, it is said that the Jade Emperor took pity upon this young couple. Once a year, on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, the day of Mid-Autumn Festival, he allows Hou Yi to cross the Milky Way to be with Chang』é.
The Jade Rabbit
Three immortal beings descended from the heavens and transformed themselves into three old men. They met a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit, and begged them for food. The fox and the monkey had some food that they gave to the old men. The rabbit had nothing.
Ashamed that he didn’t have any food to give, the rabbit offered himself saying, 「You can eat me.」 The immortals were very touched by his gesture. They made him immortal and sent him to live on the moon as the Jade Rabbit. He became Chang』é’s faithful companion and grinds her Pill of Immortality. The Jade Rabbit is often seen in the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, along with the Moon Goddess, Chang』é.
ritual [ˈrɪtʃʊəl] n. (宗教等的) 儀式
blaze [bleɪz] vt.&vi.（使）燃燒，（使）冒火焰
scorch [skɔːtʃ] vt. 把…燒焦；使枯萎
wither [ˈwɪðə] vi. 乾枯，枯萎；失去生氣
Jade Emperor 道教神話傳說中的天地的主宰. 猶如人間的皇帝，上掌三十六天，下轄七十二地，掌管神、仙、佛、聖、人間、地府的一切事，權力無邊，有穹蒼聖主、諸天宗王之稱
Pill of Immortality長生不老藥；仙丹
altar ['ɔːltə] n. 祭壇，聖壇
Milky Way古希臘將銀河稱為「乳之路」因為他們認為這是天后赫拉餵嬰兒時流淌的乳汁形成的。在古代中國，銀河又稱天河、星河
descend [dɪˈsend] vi. 降臨；突然造訪
The Legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival
In the 14th century， the eating of mooncakes at Mid-Autumn Festival was given a new significance. The story goes that when Zhu Yuan Zhang was plotting to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty started by the Mongolians， the rebels hid their messages in the Mid-Autumn mooncakes. Zhong Qiu Jie is hence also a commemoration of the overthrow of the Mongolians by the Han people.
在14世紀，中秋節吃月餅又被賦予了一層特殊的含義。傳說在朱元璋帶兵起義推翻元朝時，將士們曾把聯絡信藏在月餅裡。因此，中秋節後來也成為漢人推翻蒙古人統治的紀念日。
During the Yuan Dynasty (A.D.1206-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung Dynasty (A.D.960-1279) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule， and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion， knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near， ordered the making of special cakes. Packed into each mooncake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival， the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today， moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this event.
在元朝，蒙古人統治中國。前朝統治者們不甘心政權落入外族之手，於是密謀策劃聯合起義。正值中秋將近，起義首領就命令部下製作一種特別的月餅，把起義計劃藏在每個月餅裡。到中秋那天，起義軍獲取勝利，推翻了元朝，建立明朝。今天，人們吃月餅紀念此事。
中秋繪本故事視頻
中秋節 Mid-autumn day、Moon Festival、Mooncake Festival、Zhongqiu Festival
月餅mooncake
冰皮月餅snow skin mooncake
豆沙月餅 red bean paste mooncake
五仁月餅five-nuts mooncakes
蛋黃月餅 egg yolk mooncake
蓮蓉月餅 lotus seed paste mooncake
鮮肉月餅 pork mooncake
Happy Moon Festival！
中秋快樂！
May the Mid-Autumn Festival bring along with good fortune and a harvest of smiles for you and family.
祝中秋佳節快樂，祝您合家歡樂，好事連連。
Wish you a perfect life just like the roundest moon in Mid-Autumn Day.
願您的生活就象這十五的月亮一樣，圓圓滿滿。
Though far apart， we all share the beautiful moment when the bright moon rises above the sea.
海上生明月，天涯共此時。
一些關於「中秋節」習俗的英語說法:
每年農曆八月十五日，中國人都會慶祝中秋節這一傳統節日。Every year, Chinese people celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.中秋節我國民間有家家吃月餅的習俗。美味可口的月餅象徵合家團圓、歡聚。It's traditional in China to eat moon cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. These yummy treats symbolise reunion and happiness.mooncakes with meat/nuts/ham/yolk
肉餡/果仁/火腿/蛋黃月餅
如今，中秋節已被列為國家法定節假日。很多人會借中秋小長假探訪親朋好友。Now, Mid-Autumn Festival has been listed as an official holiday in China. Many people will visit their family members and friends during this "mini-holiday".賞月：admire the full moon /watch the full moon to celebrate the festival
碧空如洗，圓月如盤。人們在盡情賞月之際，會情不自禁地想念遠遊在外、客居異鄉的親人。中國人歷來把家人團圓、親友團聚，共享天倫之樂看得極其珍貴，歷來有「花好月圓人團聚」之謂。點燈籠：light lanterns
中秋之夜，天清如水，月明如鏡，可謂良辰之美景，然而對此人們並未滿足，於是便有燃燈以助月色的風俗。
玩花燈 ：play with lanterns / scaldfish
中秋玩花燈主要只是在家庭、兒童之間進行的，多集中在南方。祭月：offering sacrifice to the moon
中秋祭月儀式是一種古老的祭祀禮儀，表達人們祈求月神降福人間的一種美好心願。月兒圓，人團圓，中秋佳節總能勾起人們無限的情思，這其中既有團圓的喜悅、祥和之情，也有身處異鄉的悽婉與惆悵……今日中秋，奇速君借著古人們或凝重清麗或豪放曠達的詠月詩詞，送上森森滴祝福～以下這些唯美的古詩詞譯成英文竟也別有一番韻味呢～最適合在賞月時細細品讀一番了～
月下獨酌
李白
花間一壺酒， 獨酌無相親；
舉杯邀明月， 對影成三人。
月既不解飲， 影徒隨我身；
暫伴月將影， 行樂須及春。
我歌月徘徊， 我舞影零亂；
醒時同交歡， 醉後各分散。
永結無情遊， 相期邈雲漢。
Drinking Alone with the Moon
From a wine pot amidst the flowers,
I drink alone without partners.
To invite the moon I raise my cup.
We're three, as my shadow shows up.
Alas, the moon doesn't drink.
My shadow follows but doesn't think.
Still for now I have these friends,
To cheer me up until the spring ends.
I sing; the moon wanders.
I dance; the shadow scatters.
Awake, together we have fun.
Drunk, separately we're gone.
Let's be boon companions forever,
Pledging, in heaven, we'll be together.
水調歌頭
蘇軾
明月幾時有？把酒問青天。不知天上宮闕，今夕是何年？我欲乘風歸去，又恐瓊樓玉宇，高處不勝寒。起舞弄清影，何似在人間。
轉朱閣，低綺戶，照無眠。不應有恨，何事長向別時圓？人有悲歡離合，月有陰晴圓缺，此事古難全。但願人長久，千裡共嬋娟。
The Midautumn Festival
Tune: 「Prelude to Water Melody」
How long will the full moon appear?
Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.
I do not know what time of the year，
It would be tonight in the palace on high.
Riding the wind, there I would fly,
Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be
Too high and cold for me.
I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.
On high as on earth, would it be as gay?
The moon goes round the mansions red
Through gauze-draped window soft to shed
Her light upon the sleepless bed.
Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright?
Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;
The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.
There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.
So let us wish that man
Will live long as he can!
Though miles apart, we』ll share the beauty she displays.
月夜憶舍弟
杜甫
戍鼓斷人行，秋邊一雁聲。
露從今夜白，月是故鄉明。
有弟皆分散，無家問死生。
寄書長不達，況乃未休兵。
Thinking of My Brothers On a Moonlit Night
War drums break people’s journey drear;
A swan honks on autumn frontier.
Dew turns into frost since tonight;
The moon viewed at home is more bright.
I』ve brothers scattered here and there;
For our life or death none would care.
Letters can’t reach where I intend;
Alas! The war’s not come to an end.
關山月
李白
明月出天山，蒼茫雲海間。
長風幾萬裡，吹度玉門關。
漢下白登道，胡窺青海灣。
由來徵戰地，不見有人還。
戍客望邊色，思歸多苦顏。
高樓當此夜，嘆息未應閒。
Drinking Alone with the Moon
From Heaven's Peak the moon rises bright,
Over a boundless sea of cloud.
Winds blow for miles with main and might
Past the Jade Gate which stands so proud,
Our warriors march down the frontier
While Tartars peer across Blue Bays.
From the battlefield outstretched here,
None have come back since olden days.
Guards watch the scene of borderland,
Thinking of home, with wistful eyes.
Tonight upstairs their wives would stand,
Looking afar with longing sighs.
望月懷遠
張九齡
海上生明月，天涯共此時。
情人怨遙夜，竟夕起相思。
滅燭憐光滿，披衣覺露滋。
不堪盈手贈，還寢夢佳期。
Viewing the Moon, Thinking of You
As the bright moon shines over the sea,
From far away you share this moment with me.
For parted lovers lonely nights are the worst to be.
All night long I think of no one but thee.
To enjoy the moon I blow out the candle stick.
Please put on your nightgown for the dew is thick.
I try to offer you the moonlight so hard to pick,
Hoping a reunion in my dream will come quick.