ancient ways of welcoming lunar new year

preparations for the lunar new year traditionally started well in advance of new year‘s day. the seven days before new year‘s eve were set aside for the annual housecleaning， or the sweeping of the grounds. every corner of the house had to be cleaned for the new year.

過年前的一禮拜要進(jìn)行一次大掃除。

spring couplets，written in black ink on large vertical scrolls of red paper， were put on the walls or on both sides of gateways. these couplets， short poems written in classical chinese，were expressions of good wishes for the family in the coming year.