劳特布隆嫩的施陶巴赫瀑布, 伯尔尼州, 瑞士 Staubbach Falls at Lauterbrunnen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland (© pongnathee kluaythong/Getty Images)

传奇故事前的篇章 The steps before the saga

J.R.R.托尔金纪念日

今日图片带我们走进瑞士劳特布隆嫩小镇，静谧山谷间，远处的施陶巴赫瀑布在阳光下闪烁。1911年，年轻的托尔金曾在徒步旅行中穿越这里，那时他还未成为《魔戒》和《霍比特人》的作者。巍峨的峭壁、银白的瀑流和清冽的山风，深深印刻在他的记忆中，被认为启发了他笔下的瑞文戴尔——中土世界中隐秘的精灵圣地。

1月3日，托尔金诞辰，世界各地的读者举杯庆祝“托尔金日”，晚上9点齐声向“教授”致敬。这一传统始于1972年，由托尔金协会发起，既追忆《魔戒》中弗罗多为比尔博举杯的场景，也缅怀作者在牛津的岁月。托尔金用一生塑造现代奇幻，将语言、神话与勇气交织成永恒的史诗。今天，我们纪念的不只是作家，更是梦想的缔造者——他让我们相信，即使最微小的旅程也能成就伟大，而奇迹就藏在身边，触手可及。

J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmers in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. This is the landscape a young traveler, J.R.R. Tolkien, crossed during a hiking trip in 1911, long before he became the storyteller behind 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit.' Its soaring cliffs, silver waterfalls, and crisp mountain air left a lasting impression and are believed to have inspired his vision of Rivendell, the elven refuge hidden deep in Middle-earth.

On January 3—Tolkien's birthday—fans across the globe celebrate Tolkien Day, raising a toast at 9 PM to 'The Professor.' The tradition, started by The Tolkien Society in 1972, recalls both Frodo's toast to Bilbo and the writer's years at Oxford, where he spent a lifetime shaping modern fantasy—interweaving language, legend, and moral courage into timeless tales. Today, admirers honor not just an author but a world-maker—one who showed that even the smallest journey can lead to greatness, and that wonder awaits, ever-present, just beyond the familiar.

威尼斯鸟瞰图, 意大利 Aerial view of Venice, Italy (© Clement Leonard/Getty Images)

威尼斯的灵魂 The soul of Venice

威尼斯鸟瞰图，意大利

从高空俯瞰威尼斯，宛如一幅迷人的水上画卷，但这座意大利瑰宝真正的魅力，藏在古老墙垣与曲折水巷之间。公元5世纪，它在潟湖中的一簇岛屿上诞生，由沼泽蜕变为海上霸主。中世纪时期，威尼斯成为连接欧洲与东方的重要贸易枢纽，财富与文化在此交织。如今，哥特式宫殿、文艺复兴艺术，以及圣马可大教堂、公爵宫、里亚托桥等地标，仍在诉说这座城市的辉煌历史。

威尼斯的魅力，不仅在于桥梁与运河，更在于那些才华横溢的灵魂。《马可·波罗游记》讲述了这位探险家的奇幻旅程，维瓦尔第在这里谱写出《四季》的乐章。威尼斯更是文学与艺术的灵感源泉：托马斯·曼的《威尼斯之死》、莎士比亚的《威尼斯商人》和《奥赛罗》，以及亨利·詹姆斯的《阿斯彭文稿》，都在这座城市的光影中诞生。

如今的威尼斯，在历史魅力与现代挑战之间保持微妙的平衡：既要守护脆弱的古迹，又要应对汹涌的游客潮。贡多拉依旧在百年老墙的倒影中轻轻滑过，而狂欢节等传统节庆，则让这座城市的古老风情延续至今。

Aerial view of Venice, Italy

Seeing Venice from above is mesmerizing, but this Italian gem's true magic lies within its walls and waterways. Founded in the 5th century on a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the early settlement rose from marshland to become a maritime powerhouse. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a major hub for trade between Europe and the East, fueling immense wealth and cultural growth. The city's grandeur shines through its Gothic palaces, Renaissance art, and landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Venice is celebrated not only for its iconic architecture and interwoven canals but also for the brilliant minds who shaped its legacy. 'The Travels of Marco Polo' chronicles the adventures of the Venetian merchant and explorer, and Antonio Vivaldi—composer of 'The Four Seasons'—was also born here. The city has inspired timeless works, including Thomas Mann's 'Death in Venice,' Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Othello,' and Henry James's novella 'The Aspern Papers.'

Today, Venice balances historic charm with modern challenges—from preserving fragile architecture to managing tourism. Gondolas glide past centuries-old facades, while festivals like Carnevale keep traditions alive.

跨年夜，奥伯鲍姆桥，柏林，德国 New Year's Eve, Oberbaum Bridge, Berlin, Germany (© spreephoto.de/Getty Images)

柏林，新年之桥 Where Berlin bridges the New Year

跨年夜

三、二、一……等等，先按下暂停键。新年还没到，但柏林的奥伯鲍姆桥仿佛已经提前按下了“庆祝”按钮。今晚，这座桥不再只是河上的通道，而是一条通往新年的跑道：引擎低鸣，烟花预热，人群齐声练习着那句“新年快乐！”

奥伯鲍姆桥，恰好镶嵌在弗里德里希斯海因与克罗伊茨贝格之间，横跨施普雷河，连接着两种截然不同的跨年节奏。弗里德里希斯海因带来俱乐部的电音和街头小吃，克罗伊茨贝格则以慵懒的酒吧和临时举杯迎接新年。而桥上？一切都是即兴：屋顶迸射的烟花，河岸闪烁的光点，还有偶尔让人忍俊不禁的“这烟花是不是飞偏了？”的笑语。红砖塔楼静静守望，它们曾是东西柏林的分界，如今化作团聚的象征。跨入新的一年，就从这里开始：脚步、笑声与烟花，共同点亮柏林的夜空。

New Year's Eve

Three… two… one… wait—hold that countdown. It's not New Year's yet, but the Oberbaum Bridge already feels as if Berlin hit its 'celebrate' button ahead of time. On this night, the bridge transforms from a simple river crossing into a runway where this city taxis toward midnight, engines humming, fireworks warming up, and the crowd collectively practicing its 'Happy New Year!' voice.

Wedged perfectly between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, the bridge sits at the meeting point of two neighborhoods across the River Spree that approach the eve with completely different strategies. Friedrichshain shows up with club beats and street snacks. Kreuzberg brings laid-back bars and last-minute toasts. The Oberbaum Bridge? From here, the scene is pure improvisation—bursts of color from rooftops, random sparkles from the riverbanks, and occasional 'Was that meant to go sideways?' moments. The bridge's iconic red-brick towers watch over it all, steady and unfazed. These towers once marked the divide between East and West Berlin, but tonight they mark something far better: togetherness. Here's to crossing into another year—one step, one cheer, and one firework at a time.

晨光透过结霜的树木洒下，瑞典 Dawn light through frosty trees, Sweden (© Schon/Getty Images)

新太阳的诞生 Birth of the new sun

结霜的树木，瑞典

冬季也总是有一些令人流连忘返的景色，例如瑞典的这片树林，就像踏入了一个银白的童话世界。高大的树木身披厚厚的霜雪外衣，像是忠诚的卫士，静静地伫立。每阳光透过树枝的缝隙洒下，形成一道道金色的光线，与洁白的雪相互交织，营造出一种如梦似幻的氛围。雪花在阳光的照耀下闪烁着晶莹的光芒，像是无数颗细碎的钻石，镶嵌在这银白的世界里。

相信不只是瑞典冬季落雪的树林，北半球许多地方冬季都拥有这样梦幻的景致，这是大自然用雪和树谱写的一首壮丽诗篇，每一处景色都让人陶醉，每一刻时光都让人珍惜。

阿尼遗址的圣格雷戈里教堂，卡尔斯省，土耳其 St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye (© Kenan Talas/Getty Images)

一座比城市更悠久的教堂 The church that outlived a city

阿尼遗址的圣格雷戈里教堂，卡尔斯省，土耳其

在土耳其东部与亚美尼亚接壤的边境地带，一片风吹草低的台地上，阿尼古城遗址在荒野中清晰浮现。千年前，这里是丝绸之路上的繁华都城，城墙巍峨，街市喧闹，商旅往来不息，文化在此交汇。如今，风声取代了人声，但那沧桑的轮廓，仍默默诉说着昔日的辉煌。

这张照片展现了圣格雷戈里教堂，它是阿尼最具震撼力的遗迹之一。深色火山岩筑成的圆塔，依旧挺立，仿佛延续着昔日的精工细作。阿尼曾因“千座教堂之城”闻名，拱门、穹顶与立面的革新，曾在历史中掀起波澜，后来影响了哥特式建筑传统。即便在一片废墟中，其设计仍清晰可辨。

阿尼的衰落，源于地震、入侵和贸易路线的转移，但这座城市从未真正消失。考古学家仍在不断发掘新的细节，保护工作也在与侵蚀和时间抗争。漫步于此，感觉不像是在探访废墟，更像是在遇见一座执意守护自己故事的城市。

St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

On a windswept plateau in eastern Türkiye, along the border with Armenia, the ruins of the ancient city of Ani rise from the landscape with striking clarity. A millennium ago, Ani was a thriving Armenian capital on a major Silk Road route, its fortifications and busy streets shaping trade and culture across the region. Today, the city is quiet, but its outline still carries the weight of its past.

The image shows the Church of St. Gregory, one of Ani's most striking survivors. Built from dark volcanic stone, its tall cylindrical tower stands over the plateau with the same precision that once defined the city. Ani was known as the 'City of 1,001 Churches,' and its architects pushed new ideas in arches, domes, and facades that later influenced Gothic tradition. Even in ruin, the design remains deliberate and unmistakable.

Ani's decline unfolded through earthquakes, invasions, and shifting trade routes, yet the city never fully disappeared. Archaeologists continue to find new details, and conservation work fights erosion and time. Walking here feels less like exploring a ruin and more like meeting a city determined to keep its story alive.

苏必利尔湖沿岸的冰层，大马雷，明尼苏达州，美国 Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota, USA (© wanderluster/Getty Images)

冬之碎片 Shards of winter

苏必利尔湖沿岸的冰层，大马雷，明尼苏达州

在明尼苏达的苏必利尔湖，冬季来临时，湖岸会出现一种名为“板冰”的奇特景象：薄冰在温度变化下破裂，随风漂移并堆叠，最终形成倾斜的冰片，如同玻璃碎片般闪耀。蓝色与银色交织的半透明冰面在阳光下折射出锐利的光影，使湖边看起来更像艺术雕塑，而非冰封。

水面之下，波浪持续运动，推动冰片互相碰撞，发出摩擦声、清响和低沉的声响。这些声音随水流起伏，仿佛一场瞬息万变的自然演出。这类冰层结构可能突然形成，也会迅速消失，随着风力和气温的变化不断改变形态。

苏必利尔湖的辽阔，孕育了这片冬日奇景。作为全球面积最大的淡水湖，约31,700平方英里，深邃的湖床、独特的风向模式与剧烈的温差变化，共同谱写这场冰雪乐章。当地原住民奥吉布瓦族赋予其"Gichigami"之名，恰如其分地印证了这片水域自古以来"大湖如海"的盛名。

Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota

When winter tightens its grip on Lake Superior in Minnesota, the shoreline transforms into a landscape of tilted, glass-like shards known as plate ice. Thin sheets fracture under shifting temperatures, then drift and stack as the wind presses them toward land. The result is a field of translucent blues and silvers, catching the light at sharp angles and making the water's edge appear sculpted rather than frozen.

Beneath the surface, waves keep moving, pushing the slabs against one another as they scrape, ring, and groan. The sounds rise and fall with the motion, turning the shoreline into a fleeting, shifting performance. These formations can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly, changing with every gust and temperature dip.

Lake Superior's immense scale shapes this phenomenon. As the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, spanning about 31,700 square miles, its depth, wind patterns, and temperature swings set the stage for this winter display. Its Ojibwe name, 'Gichigami,' from the Indigenous people of the region, reflects its long-standing reputation as a 'great sea.'

索尔兹伯里大教堂，威尔特郡，英格兰 Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England (© Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images)

打破盒子的传统 Unboxed traditions

节礼日

节礼日的妙处在于，它不需要你费心操劳：没有倒计时的喧嚣，没有拆礼物的惊喜，更不用临时奔波买电池。这是一个罕见的节日，仿佛在轻声说：“坐下来，吃掉剩菜，给自己一点时间。”每年12月26日，英国及部分英联邦国家都会庆祝这个节日，它像是一场圣诞狂欢后的温柔缓冲。节礼日的起源可追溯至维多利亚时代，当时人们会为工人和商贩准备“圣诞礼盒”，作为谢意，礼盒里可能是硬币，也可能是生活用品。教堂也参与其中，开启施舍箱，将捐赠分发给有需要的人。

如今的节礼日已成为传统与现代的融合体。足球比赛点燃球迷的热情，户外漫步驱散节日大餐后的昏沉感，而商店的促销活动则吸引人们早早排队、匆匆选购。若你偏爱风景胜过折扣，英国的索尔兹伯里大教堂（今日图片所示）是理想的静谧之地。勇者会跃入冰冷的水中，享受节礼日畅泳的刺激。至于古老的猎狐活动，如今已演变为纯仪式性的非狩猎庆典，既保留了华丽传统，又摒弃了追逐的残酷。

Boxing Day

The best thing about Boxing Day is that it doesn't ask much of you. No big countdown. No dramatic unwrapping. No last-minute dashes for batteries. It's a rare holiday that says, 'Sit down, finish your leftovers, and take a moment.' Celebrated on December 26 in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, it's a national cool-down after Christmas has done all the heavy lifting. The term goes back to Victorian Britain, when households prepared Christmas boxes for workers and tradespeople—tokens of thanks that ranged from coins to essentials. Churches joined in by opening alms boxes and distributing donations.

Fast-forward to today: Boxing Day has evolved into a hybrid of tradition and modern habits. Football fixtures turn the day into a fan festival. Outdoor walks help shake off the seasonal food coma. And then there are the sales that inspire early lines and brisk browsing. For those who prefer scenery over discounts, places like Salisbury Cathedral in England, shown in today's image, offer a peaceful escape. Brave souls plunge into icy waters for Boxing Day swims. Old-style fox hunts have shifted to ceremonial, non-hunting events, keeping the pageantry alive without the chase.

巴伐利亚阿尔卑斯山脉的雪中教堂与圣诞树，德国 Snowy chapel with Christmas tree in the Bavarian Alps, Germany (© mauritius images GmbH/Alamy)

流动的传统 Traditions that travel

平安夜

随着平安夜的到来，数以百万计的人们拥抱那些将我们与根源相连的习俗，或者接触全新的文化。如今日图片中所见的那样，在德国巴伐利亚阿尔卑斯山的雪景中，节日灯光在寒冬中闪耀；而在地球的另一端，比如加勒比海、澳大利亚或巴西，耀眼阳光洒在金色海滩上，圣诞节的画面则截然不同

在德国，人们会捧着一杯热气腾腾的漫步于圣诞市集，穿梭于一个个摊位之间。在委内瑞拉加拉加斯，人们则会踩着轮滑去参加圣诞弥撒。在墨西哥，可能又会看到夜圣萝卜节中剩下的奇趣萝卜雕塑。对于那些喜欢神秘事物的人来说，乌克兰会在圣诞树上装饰象征好运的蜘蛛网，而威尔士则会庆祝马利·卢伊德，一种由装饰过的马头骨引领、挨家挨户巡游的独特传统。传统习俗多到数不胜数。对一个人来说平凡至极的习惯，对另一个人而言却可能是一片崭新的文化天地。所以，今夜不妨敞开心扉，甚至打开家门，或许有人正期待与你分享他们的节日故事，或静静聆听你的。

Christmas Eve

As Christmas Eve arrives, millions embrace customs that connect us to our roots—or introduce us to entirely new cultures. In snowy regions like the Bavarian Alps in Germany—a frost-kissed landscape seen in today's image—festive lights glow against winter's chill. Elsewhere, the sun blazes brightly: think of the Caribbean, Australia, or Brazil, where Christmas often means golden beaches instead of frosty mornings.

In Germany, you might wander through a festive market with a steaming cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) in hand, weaving from one stall to the next. In Caracas, Venezuela, you'll join crowds rollerblading to Christmas Mass. Head to Mexico, and you'll find quirky radish sculptures from the Night of the Radishes festival, left over from the night before. For those drawn to mystery, Ukraine decorates trees with spider webs, and Wales celebrates Mari Lwyd—a horse's skull adorned and paraded door to door. The list of traditions is endless. What feels ordinary to one may be an entirely new world to someone else. So tonight, open your heart—and maybe your door—someone might be eager to discover your holiday tradition.

法兰克福老桥，德国 (© diegograndi/Getty Images)

历史与现代的交融

法兰克福老桥，德国

位于德国中心地带的法兰克福是一座以现代天际线与历史古城交织闻名的活力都市。老桥是其中的标志性建筑之一，自中世纪以来便横跨美因河，是这座城市现存最古老的河上通道之一。几个世纪以来，它一直是重要的贸易通道。如今的老桥建于1912至1926年间，将老城区与萨克森豪森区连接起来，从这里能欣赏到壮丽的“美因哈顿”天际线与法兰克福大教堂，这是传统与现代融合的象征。尤其在日落时分，更是格外迷人。

老桥也是漫步美因河畔或前往老城探访的完美起点。这里坐落着市政厅罗马广场、圣保罗教堂，以及传统的苹果酒酒馆等景点。文化爱好者则可以造访著名诗人歌德的故居，追随其足迹。法兰克福享誉全球的各类博物馆，更令艺术爱好者流连忘返。在这座对自行车友好的金融都市中，过去与现在在此无缝衔接，形成别具一格的城市风貌。全球罕有城市能像法兰克福般，将强烈的时代对比演绎得如此和谐自然。

美丽的雾凇景色，大庆市，黑龙江省，中国 The beautiful rime ice scenery, Daqing city Heilongjiang province,China (© Dashu Xinganling/shutterstock)

美丽的雾凇景色 Beautiful rime ice scenery

冬至

当2025年的冬至如期而至，北国大地被银装素裹，东北的雾凇奇景更添了几分童话般的浪漫。漫步在雾凇林中，脚下是松软的积雪，发出细微的沙沙声，仿佛是大自然最轻柔的私语。空气中弥漫着清新的气息，仿佛能净化一切尘埃，让人心旷神怡。

雾凇，这一自然界的奇观，是形成于树枝上、电线上或其它地物迎风面上的白色疏松的微小冰晶或冰粒。它的出现需要足够低的气温和较大的空气湿度，是大自然在特定条件下精心雕琢的杰作。冬至的雾凇美景，让人们明白，生命中的每一个季节、都蕴含着独特的美丽与价值，只要我们用心去感受，就能发现生活中的无限美好。