Traditional festivals

Brief Introduction

Characterized by diverse styles and themes, traditional Chinese festivals are an important part of Chinese history and culture, both ancient and modern. A close relationship exists between many of the traditional festivals and chronology, mathematics, the Chinese Calendar and the twenty-four solar terms. Many of the customs connected with the traditional festivals have links with religious devotions, superstitions and myths. The form which most of the festivals take today was established around the time of the Han Dynasty (206BC - 220) and for many years, various eminent poets have written countless masterpieces describing the festivals and are still recited regularly today.

Almost every festival has its own unique origins and customs which reflect the traditional practices and morality of the whole Chinese nation and its people. The grandest and most popular festivals are the Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival, the Qingming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Double Seventh Festival, the Mid-autumn Festival, the Chongyang Festival, and the Laba Festival.

Table of Eight Chinese Traditional Festivals

Festival		Date	Customs
Spring Festival		1st day of the first lunar month - the end of Lantern Festival	pasting Spring Festival scrolls, the character 'Fu', and paper-cuts pictures, displaying firecrackers and fireworks, paying New Year visits, and eating jiaozi.
Lantern Festival		15th day of the first lunar month	watching lanterns and fireworks, guessing lantern riddles, performing folk dances, and eating yuanxiao.
Qingming Festival		April 4th or 5th of the solar calendar	tomb sweeping, spring outings, and flying kites.
Dragon Boat Festival		5th day of the 5th lunar month	dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, wearing a perfume pouch and tying five-colour silk thread, and hanging mugwort leaves and calamus.
Double Seventh Festival		7th day of seventh lunar month	praying for skillful hands, appreciating the stars, and eating noodles, jiaozi, and wontons.
Mid-autumn Festival		15th day of the 8th lunar month	appreciating and offering sacrifice to the moonlight and eating moon cakes.
Chongyang Festival		9th day of the 9th lunar month	eating Chongyang cake, drinking chrysanthemum wine, climbing mountains and appreciating beautiful chrysanthemums.
Laba Festival		8th day of the 12th lunar month	eating laba rice porridge.