Chinese cultural exchange groups unveiled the country’s first ever official mascots on Sunday for the all-important Chinese lunar New Year.
　　星期天（1月10日），中国文化交流组织首次正式发布了中华春节吉祥物。

　　The two mascots, named "Nian Wa" and "Chun Ni", meaning New Year Boy and Spring Girl, are based on characters form traditional woodblock prints widely seen as symbols of good luck and happiness.
　　被命名为“年娃”“春妮”的两个吉祥娃娃，代表着中国的“金童玉女”，其设计基于传统木版印刷中的人物形象，是春节吉祥喜庆的象征。

　　Chun Ni and Nian Wa also symbolize a balance of yin and yang, and the patterns on their costume – a bat and two fish respectively – are signs of longevity and prosperity according to Chinese folklore.
　　“春妮”和“年娃”还象征着阴阳平衡，他们的衣服上分别装饰着“蝙蝠”和“双鱼”图案，在中国传统民俗中寓意为“福（蝙蝠）庆有余（鱼）”。

　　Li Hanqiu, a Professor of classical Chinese literature with Peking University, says this could be a way for the world to better understand Chinese culture.
　　北大中国古典文学教授李汉秋表示，中华春节吉祥物的诞生是让世界理解中国传统的极好方式。

　　"We are announcing official symbols and mascots for the Spring Festival because we hope through modern communications means to share traditional Chinese culture to everyone and let it take root among all Chinese people. We also hope to attract a bigger fan base among young people, and make the festival more popular and accessible for the global audience."
　　“我们正式发布春节的官方标志和吉祥物，是因为我们希望通过现代通信手段，与每一个人分享中国的传统文化，让它根植于所有中国人的心里。我们也希望能够更加吸引年轻群体，让春节变得更加流行，并为世界人们所了解、接受。”

　　The doll-like images stood out among more than 2,000 applications.
　　这个萌萌哒的娃娃设计图案在2000多份应征作品中脱颖而出。

　　China Post has released a collection of commemorative stamps featuring the two mascots.
　　中国邮政也发行了“春妮”和“年娃”纪念邮票。

　　The Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 8 this year.
　　今年将在2月8日这一天过春节。

（来源：爱语吧）