12 Traditional Chinese Festivals You Need to Know
China is a country rich in history and culture, and one of the best ways to explore this culture is through traditional festivals. These festivals offer a great opportunity to learn about Chinese history, traditions and customs. Below are twelve traditional Chinese festivals that you need to know.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. It usually falls in late January or early February, and is a time when families gather together to enjoy festive foods, exchange gifts, and enjoy cultural performances. The festival lasts for fifteen days and culminates in the Lantern Festival.
Tomb-sweeping Day
Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, falls on April 4th or 5th each year. This festival is a time when families visit the graves of their ancestors to offer sacrifices and clean the tombs. It is also a time to enjoy time in nature by flying kites, having a picnic and enjoying the spring weather.
Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This festival commemorates the death of the ancient poet and patriot Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River. The festival features dragon boat racing and eating zongzi, a traditional food made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This festival is a time when families gather together to appreciate the full moon, eat mooncakes, and enjoy each other's company. The mooncake is the traditional food of this festival, which has various flavors, such as lotus seed paste, sweet bean paste or fruit filings.???
Double Seventh Festival
The Double Seventh Festival, also known as Qixi Festival, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This festival is a romantic festival, and is also called Chinese Valentine's Day. It is a time when young lovers spend time together enjoying each other's company. The story behind this festival is the legend of two lovers who were separated by the Milky Way and could only see each other once a year on this night.
Chongyang Festival
The Chongyang Festival, also known as Double Ninth Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a time to pay respects to the elderly and climb mountains to enjoy the autumn scenery. The Chinese believe that climbing high is a way to reach new heights in life, and that by doing so on this day, they can avoid misfortune.
Winter Solstice Festival
The Winter Solstice Festival falls on the day with the shortest daylight in the year, and usually falls on December 22nd. It is a time to celebrate the arrival of winter and eat traditional foods, such as dumplings and tangyuan, which symbolize reunion and harmony.
Laba Festival
The Laba Festival falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. It is a time to commemorate the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha, and marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The traditional food of this festival is Laba porridge, which is made of different types of grains, fruits, and nuts.
Yuanxiao Festival
The Yuanxiao Festival, also known as Lantern Festival, falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is a time to celebrate the end of Chinese New Year festivities, and to eat sweet glutinous rice balls, called yuanxiao, which are a traditional food of this festival. Families also go out to admire lanterns and solve riddles written on them.
Shangsi Festival
The Shangsi Festival falls on the third day of the third lunar month. This festival is a time to pay respects to ancestors, as well as pray for good health and safety. People also eat a traditional food called qingtuan, which are green glutinous rice balls stuffed with sweet or savory fillings.
Zongzi Festival
The Zongzi Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is a time to eat traditional Chinese food, and zongzi, which are glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. This festival is also a time to commemorate the ancient poet and patriot Qu Yuan.
Chongyang Festival
The Chongyang Festival, also known as Double Ninth Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a time to pay respects to the elderly and climb mountains to enjoy the autumn scenery. The Chinese believe that climbing high is a way to reach new heights in life, and that by doing so on this day, they can avoid misfortune.
Exploring traditional Chinese festivals is a great way to learn more about Chinese history, traditions, and customs. These festivals offer a unique glimpse into Chinese culture, and are a great way to enjoy time with family and friends. We hope that this guide has inspired you to explore some of these amazing celebrations!