The
Chinese observe a wide variety of traditional and modern holidays,
based both on the lunar and solar calendars. The traditional Chinese
calendar was based on a lunar cycle-- that is, dates following the
regular appearance of the full moon. Even so, the equinox and solstice
were essential for determining seasons in China's agrarian society.
With the international use of the Gregorian Calendar, some modern
holidays, such as the birthdays of national leaders, are based on that.
Major holidays celebrated in China, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese
communities are marked in bold, with this year's corresponding
Gregorian dates in parenthesis.
Lunar Holidays and Birthdays
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1st Moon
DAY 1
DAY 9
DAY 15
2nd Moon
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 15
DAY 19
3rd Moon
DAY 3
DAY 23
4th Moon
DAY 8
DAY 14
DAY 18
5th Moon
Day 5
6th Moon
DAY 24
7th Moon
DAY 7
DAY 15
DAY 30
8th Moon
DAY 15
DAY 16
DAY 27
9th Moon
DAY 9
10th Moon
DAY 1
DAY 5
12th Moon
DAY 8
DAY 23
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Chinese
New Year
Birthday of the Jade Emperor
The
Lantern Festival
Birthday of Tudigong, Lord of the Earth
Birthday of Wenchang, God of Literature
Birthday of Lao Zi, Founder of Taoism
Birthday of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy
Birthday of Xuantian Shangdi, God of Rain
Birthday of Mazu, Goddess of the Sea
Birthday of Siddhartha, Founder of Buddhism
Birthday of Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals
Birthday of Huato, Patron Saint of Medicine
Dragon
Boat Festival (June 22, 2004)
Birthday of Guan Gong, God of Warriors
(Ghost Month)
Lover's Day
Hungry Ghost Festival
Birthday of Dizang Wang, King of the Underworld
Mid-Autumn
Festival (Sept 28, 2004)
Birthday of Sun Wugong, the Monkey King
Birthday of Confucius
Double Ninth Day
Sending off the Winter Clothes
Birthday of Damo, founder of Chan Buddhism
Celebration of Siddhartha achieving enlightenment
Kitchen God reports to the Jade Emperor
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Solar Holidays and Birthdays
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April 4, 5, or 6
September 28
October 1
October 10
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Tomb
Sweeping Day
Teacher's Day (Taiwan -- Confucius' Birthday)
National Day (People's Republic of China)
National Day (Taiwan -- "Double Tenth") |
Falling
on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, the Lantern
Festival takes place under a full moon, and marks the end of Chinese
New Year festivities. The Lantern Festival dates back to
shrouded legends of the Han Dynasty over 2000 years ago.
Of
all the traditional Chinese festivals, the new Year was perhaps the
most elaborate, colorful, and important. This was a time for the
Chinese to congratulate each other and themselves on having passed
through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in
the new year. Common expressions heard at this time are: GUONIAN to
have made it through the old year, and BAINIAN to congratulate the new
year.
Turning Over a New Leaf
The Chinese New year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon
of the lunar
calendar.
The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as
January 21st to as late as February 19th. Chinese New Year, as the
Western new Year, signified turning over a new leaf. Socially, it was a
time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This
holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stressed the importance
of family ties. The Chinese New year's Eve dinner gathering was among
the most important family occasions of the year.
Officially on falling on the fifth day of the fifth lunar
month, the
Dragon Boat Festival is also known as Double Fifth Day. While many
stories regarding its origin abound, the most popular and widely
accepted version regards Qu Yuan, a minister during the Warring States
Period (475 - 221 BC)
At the
end of the Zhou Dynasty, the area we now know as China had
fallen into a state of fragmentation and conflict. While the Zhou
dynasty had ruled for several centuries, several other states,
originally feudal domains, tried to carve out their own kingdoms. The
state of Qin would eventually emerge the victor and unify all of China
under one rule for the first time in history.
Qu Yuan
served as minister to the Zhou Emperor. A wise and articulate man, he
was loved by the common people. He did much to fight against the
rampant corruption that plagued the court-- thereby earning the envy
and fear of other officials. Therefore, when he urged the emperor to
avoid conflict with the Qin Kingdom, the officials pressured the
Emperor to have him removed from service. In exile, he traveled, taught
and wrote for several years. Hearing that the Zhou had been defeated by
the Qin, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Milou River.
His last poem reads:
Many a heavy sigh I have in
my despair,
Grieving that I was born in such an unlucky time.
I yoked a team of jade dragons to a phoenix chariot,
And waited for the wind to come,
to sour up on my journey
As he was so loved by the people, fishermen rushed out in long boats,
beating drums to scare the fish away, and throwing zong
zi into the water to feed braver fish so that they would not
eat Qu Yuan's body.
The Modern Dragon
Boat Fes
Celebration of the
Mid-Autumn Festival
Legendary
Origins
A
Historical Anecdote
Mooncakes
Also
known as the "Full Moon Festival," the Mid-Autumn festival falls on the
fifteen day of the eighth lunar month. At this time, the moon's orbit
is at its lowest angle to the horizon, making the moon appear brighter
and larger than any other time of the year. In the Western tradition,
it is also called the Hunter's Moon or Harvest Moon. According to the
lunar calendar, it is also the exact middle of autumn (which begins in
the seventh month and ends in the ninth).
To
the Chinese, this festival is similar to the American Thanksgiving
holiday, celebrating a bountiful harvest. Compared to many Chinese
festivals that are inundated with vibrant colors and sounds, the
Mid-Autumn festival remains more subdued. Traditionally celebrated
outdoors under the moonlight, people eat moon cakes and gaze at the
moon. In modern times, barbecues with families and friends are also
common.
Legendary Origins
Like
most Chinese holidays, the mid-autumn festival is rich in oral history
and legend. According to stories, Hou Yi was a tyrannical ruler who won
the elixir of immortality by shooting 9 suns out of the sky with his
bow. But his wife, knowing that the people's lives would remain
miserable for all eternity if Hou Yi lived forever, drank the potion.
The fluids made her lighter, and she floated up into the moon. Even
today, Chinese like to think of the moon as home of Chang E.
Celebrated
two weeks after the vernal equinox, Tomb Sweeping Day is one of the few
traditional Chinese holidays that follows the solar calendar--
typically falling on April 4, 5, or 6. Its Chinese name "Qing Ming"
literally means "Clear Brightness," hinting at its importance as a
celebration of Spring. Similar to the spring festivals of other
cultures, Tomb Sweeping Day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while
marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor
activities.
Qing Ming Jie in Ancient Times
In
ancient times, people celebrated Qing Ming Jie with dancing, singing,
picnics, and kite flying. Colored boiled eggs would be broken to
symbolize the opening of life. In the capital, the Emperor would plant
trees on the palace grounds to celebrate the renewing nature of spring.
In the villages, young men and women would court each other.
The Tomb Sweeping Day as Celebrated Today
With
the passing of time, this celebration of life became a day to the honor
past ancestors. Following folk religion, the Chinese believed that the
spirits of deceased ancestors looked after the family. Sacrifices of
food and spirit money could keep them happy, and the family would
prosper through good harvests and more children.
Today,
Chinese visit their family graves to tend to any underbrush that has
grown. Weeds are pulled, and dirt swept away, and the family will set
out offerings of food and spirit money. Unlike the sacrifices at a
family's home altar, the offerings at the tomb usually consist of dry,
bland food. One theory is that since any number of ghosts rome around a
grave area, the less appealing food will be consumed by the ancestors,
and not be plundered by strangers.
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