Abstract:  The study aims to investigate the cultural differences between Chinese and Western                   traditional festivals in comparison with spring festival and Christmas. Then, it intends to compare some of the cultural differences on festival customs from the point of historical origin, traditional custom, and festival significance with its response and topics. This paper has analyzed the different histories, customs and significances of Spring festival and Christmas, and expounded that Chinese and Western traditional festivals have religion differences, diet differences and value orientation differences, etc.. Besides, there are various reasons for the analysis of differences. Research by comparing these differences can help to avoid communication mistakes and achieve success in intercultural communication. It also improves the charm of Chinese traditional festivals and is conducive to the cultural transmission of Chinese traditional festival.

Key words: spring festival; Christmas; cultural differences; comparative analysis

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction of Chinese Traditional Festivals 

  1.2 Introduction of Western Traditional Festivals

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework.2

2.1 Definition of Traditional Customs

  2.2 Traditional Festival Customs in China and Western Countries

    2.2.1 Diet Customs 

    2.2.2 Celebration Customs 

  2.3 Overseas and Domestic Research Status

3. Cultural Differences between Spring Festival and Christmas....3

3.1 Historical Origins 

  3.2 Ways of Celebration

  3.3 Significance of Festivals

4. Reasons for Cultural Differences between Two Festivals6

  4.1 Religion Culture Differences

  4.2 Diet Culture Differences

  4.3 Value Orientation Differences

5. Conclusion..8

Bibliography...9

Acknowledgements...10