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Traditional Chinese Holidays

Characterized by diverse styles and themes, traditional Chinese festivals are an important part of the country's 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. 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. Four important holidays are Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chinese New Year

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The new year, also known as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, so the date changes from year to year. The festivities usually start the day before the New Year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year. Each Chinese New Year is characterized by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. This year, it's the Year of the Rooster, the 10th animal in the cycle. The next Year of the Rooster will be in 2029.

   Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960 
   Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961 
   Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962 
   Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963 
   Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964 
   Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965 
   Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966 
   Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967 
   Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968 
   Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969 
   Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 
   Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971   

In Chinese astrology, the 12 animal zodiac signs each have unique characteristics.

   Rat: Intelligence, adaptability, quick-wit, charm, artistry, gregariousness. 
   Ox: Loyalty, reliability, thoroughness, strength, reasonability, steadiness, determination. 
   Tiger: Enthusiasm, courage, ambition, leadership, confidence, charisma. 
   Rabbit: Trustworthiness, empathy, modesty, diplomacy, sincerity, sociability.
   Dragon: Luckiness, flexibility, eccentricity, imagination, artistry, spirituality, charisma. 
   Snake: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive. 
   Horse: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent,  adventurous, strong. 
   Sheep: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm. 
   Monkey: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart. 
   Rooster: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. 
   Dog: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart. 
   Pig: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable.

Lantern Festival

The Spring Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar.

Qingming Festival

Tomb sweeping.png Also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in English, is a traditional Chinese festival on the first day of the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. This makes it the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, either 4 or 5 April in a given year. Qingming Festival is a time of many different activities, among which the main ones are tomb sweeping, taking a spring outing, and flying kites. Some other lost customs like wearing willow branches on the head and riding on swings have added infinite joy in past days. It is a combination of sadness and happiness. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead person with offerings are the two important parts of remembering the past relatives. Weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to show care of the dead. The dead person's favourite food and wine are taken to sacrifice to them, along with paper resembling money. This is all burned in the hope that the deceased are not lacking food and money.

Dragon Boat Festival

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Is a traditional holiday originating in China, occurring near the summer solstice. It is also known as Zhongxiao Festival (Chinese: 忠孝節; pinyin: Zhōngxiàojié), commemorating fealty and filial piety. The story best known in modern China holds that the festival commemorates the death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC) of the ancient state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty.[10] A cadet member of the Chu royal house, Qu served in high offices. However, when the king decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished for opposing the alliance and even accused of treason.[10] During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of poetry. Twenty-eight years later, Qin captured Ying, the Chu capital. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River. It is said that the local people, who admired him, raced out in their boats to save him or at least retrieve his body. This is said to have been the origin of dragon boat races. When his body could not be found, they dropped balls of sticky rice into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of Qu Yuan's body.



Mid-Autumn Festival

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It is also known by other names like the Moon Festival or the Moon Cake Festival. It's celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the traditional East Asian lunar calendar. From Korea to Vietnam, from Japan to Singapore, this occasion will be marked by various customs and festivities. Mid-Autumn Festival is an inherited custom of moon sacrificial ceremonies. The ancient Chinese observed the movement of the moon had a close relationship with changes of the seasons and agricultural production. Hence, to express their thanks to the moon and celebrate the harvest, they offered a sacrifice to the moon on autumn days. On the festival day, family members gather to offer sacrifice to the moon, appreciate the bright full moon, eat moon cakes, and express strong yearnings toward family members and friends who live afar. The Moon Cake is the special food of Mid-Autumn Festival. On that day, people sacrifice moon cakes to the moon as an offering and eat them for celebration. Moon cakes come in various flavors according to the region. The moon cakes are round, symbolizing the reunion of a family, so it is easy to understand how the eating of moon cakes under the round moon can evoke longing for distant relatives and friends. Nowadays, people present moon cakes to relatives and friends to demonstrate that they wish them a long and happy life.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Boat_Festival 2. https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/mid-autumn.htm