Chinese cultural exchange groups unveiled the country's first ever official mascots for the all-important Chinese lunar New Year.
中国文化交流组织为最重要的春节公布了全国首批官方吉祥物。
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.
两个春节吉祥物分别被定名为"年娃"和"春妮"，寓意为新年男孩儿以及迎春女孩儿，其设计基于传统木版印刷中象征幸运和幸福的人物形象。
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.
"年娃"和"春妮"还象征着阴阳平衡，它们的衣服上分别装饰着"蝙蝠"、"双鱼"图案，在中国传统民俗中意为"福庆(蝙蝠)有余(鱼)"。

Li Hanqiu, a professor of classical Chinese literature at Peking University, says this could be a way for the world to better understand Chinese culture.
北京大学的中国古典文学教授李汉秋表示，这一方式对于全世界来说能够更好地了解中国文化。
"We are announcing official symbols and mascots for the Spring Festival because we hope to share traditional Chinese culture to everyone through modern communications means 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."
“我们发布官方春节符号和吉祥物，是因为我们希望通过现代的沟通方式与所有人分享中国传统文化，使其在全体中国人的心中扎根。我们还希望吸引更多年轻人成为粉丝，使春节更受欢迎。”
The doll-like images stood out among more than 2,000 applications. China Post has released a collection of commemorative stamps featuring the two mascots. The Chinese New Year falls on Feb 8 this year.
据悉，这两个春节吉祥娃娃是从两千多件应征作品中脱颖而出的。中国邮政集团也已发行了"年娃"和"春妮"纪念邮票。今年中国的农历大年初一是2月8日。