用英文認識「Holi 侯麗節」
（Image From：flickr_Steven Gerner）
春天的開始，世界各地的人們都在慶祝侯麗節。
It’s the start of spring, and around the world, people are celebrating Holi.
在這個節慶期間，人們朝空中丟出彩色粉末，又或拋向對方！
During this festival, people throw colored powder into the air. They throw it at each other, too!
這個印度教的節日在數千年前就開始了。
This Hindu festival started thousands of years ago.
它意味並慶祝著收穫季節的開始。
It marks the beginning of the harvest season.
然而，它在另一方面也很特別：侯麗節期間，所有印度百姓共襄盛舉，並受到平等對待。
However, it is special in another way, too. During Holi, all the people in India join together and are treated equally.
因為印度奉行種姓制度的關係，通常不會是這種情況。
Usually this is not the case because of India’s caste system.
人們相信高階級的人比低階級的人更尊貴。
People think those of a high caste are better than those of a low caste.
然而，在侯麗節期間，每個人都是平等的。
Yet everyone is the same at Holi.
現今，遍及亞洲、北美洲、歐洲的人們共享這個色彩鮮明的快樂傳統節慶。
Today, people across Asia, North America, and Europe enjoy this bright tradition.
他們以多種方式慶祝侯麗節。
They celebrate it in a number of ways.
眾多盛事有現場演出的音樂和舞蹈；另一種慶祝方式則是侯麗卡火堆，每個火堆都有一個侯麗卡的雕像在裡面。
Many events have live music and dancing. Another way to celebrate is with a Holika bonfire. Each of these fires has a special statue of Holika in it.
印度人民相信侯麗卡是邪惡的，而且還試圖殺害她當王子的姪子。
Hindu people believe that Holika was bad and tried to kill her nephew, a prince.
雖然侯麗卡試圖燒死他，侯麗卡自己反倒葬身火海，而王子則活了下來。
Though she tried to burn him, she died in the fire and he lived.
所以侯麗卡火堆代表著邪不勝正。
So, a Holika bonfire shows that good wins over evil.