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Spring Festival |
Lantern Festival |
Qingming |
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Lantern Festival |
Mid-Autumn Festival |
National Day
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Spring Festival
The most
important festival in China is the Spring Festival. It is said that the Spring
Festival evolved from an activity known as the Winter Sacrifice. It was a custom
practiced by the people of primitive society. The Spring Festival marks the
beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year,so the first meal is rather important.
People usually eat Jiaozi or dumplings shaped like a crescent moon on that
special day. As for recreational activities during the Sping Festival, the
Dragon Dance and Lion Dance are traditionally performed .
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival (also called Yuanxiao Festival) is on the 15th
day of the first Chinese lunar month. It is closely related to Spring Festival.
Yuan literally means first, while Xiao refers to night. Yuanxiao is the first
time when we see the full moon in the new year. It is traditionally a time for
family reunion. The displaying of lanterns is a big event on that day, and
another important part of the Festival is eating small dumpling balls made of
glutinous rice flour. We call these balls Yuanxiao.
Qingming
Qingming,
meaning clear and bright, is the day for mourning the dead. It falls in early
April every year. It corresponds with the onset of warmer weather, the start of
spring plowing, and of family outings. Springtime, especially in North China, is
the windy season, just right for flying kites. It is not surprising that kite
flying is very popular during the Qingming season.
Duanwu Festival
The
Duanwu Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar
calendar. For thousands of years, Duanwu has been marked by eating Zongzi and
racing dragon boats. Zongzi is a kind of pyramid-shaped dumpling made of
glutinous rice and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves . Duanwu is also known as
the Dragon Boat Festival, because dragon boat races are the most popular
activity during the festival, especially in Southern China.
Mid-Autumn
Festival
One of
the most important Chinese festivals is the Mid-Autumn Festival.It falls on the
15th day of the eighth lunar month. Because the full moon is round and
symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of
reunion. People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the
Mid-Autumn Festival. But one traditional custom has definitely remained and is
shared by all the Chinese. This is eating the festive specialty:
mooncakes--cakes shaped like the moon.
Chongyang Festival
The
number" nine" belongs to Yang on the theory of Yin and Yang. The ninth day of
the ninth lunar month is a day when the two Yang numbers meet. So it is called
Chongyang. This festival is usually perfect for outdoor activities. Many people
go hiking and climbing in the country on that day. And it is a special day for
people to pay their respects to the elderly and a day for the elderly to enjoy
themselves. It has also been declared China's day for the elderly.
National Day
October 1st is the
National Day of People's Republic of China. There will be various celebrations
throughout the whole country on that day, such as the National Day Evening
Performance,the National Day fireworks show, the National Day parade and
the National Flag raising ceremony.
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