Traditional Chinese holidays
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The Traditional Chinese holidays have been part of Chinese tradition for thousands of years; they are an essential part of Chinese culture. Many holidays are associated with Chinese mythology and folklore tales, but more realistically, they probably originated from ancient farmer rituals for celebrating harvests or prayer offerings.
The most important Chinese holiday is the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival); it is also celebrated in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.
All traditional holidays are scheduled according to the Chinese calendar (except the Ching Ming and Winter Solstice days, falling on the respective Jie qi in the Agricultural calendar).
The traditional holidays are also part of modern holidays in China; for more details, check:
- Holidays in the People's Republic of China
- Public holidays in Hong Kong
- Public holidays in Macau
- Holidays in Taiwan
- see also holidays in Singapore
| Date | English Name | Chinese Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last day of 12th lunar month | Chinese New Year Eve
dodado |
Cleaning the house, putting up new posters of "door gods" on front doors, fireworks before the family union dinner, which should be at least 10 course meal with a whole fish entrée symbolizing the abundance of the coming year | |
| 1st day of 1st lunar month | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | 新年, 農曆新年, 春節, 春节 | More fireworks after midnight, visiting in-laws |
| 15th day of 1st lunar month | Lantern Festival | 元宵節, 元宵节 | Lantern parade and lion dance celebrating the first full moon |
| At the jie qi known as qing ming, solar longitude 15 degrees (around April 5) | Qing Ming Jie (Tomb Sweeping Day) / Ching Ming Festival | 清明節, 清明节 | Cleaning and offering at family tombs, spring outing |
| 5th day of 5th lunar month | Dragon Boat Festival (Dragon Festival) / Tuen Ng Festival | 端午節, 端午节 | Dragon boat racing, eat Zongzi, commemorating the ancient poet Qu Yuan; drink yellow rice wine, related to the White Snake Lady legend |
| 7th day of 7th lunar month | The Night of Sevens / Qi Xi | 七夕 | According to legend, the goddess "Zhi Nü" (the star Vega) fell in love with the farmer boy "Niu Lang" (the star Altair), but was disapproved by the her mother goddess. As punishment, they were separated by the Milky Way and could only meet once a year on this night. |
| 15th day of 7th lunar month | Spirit Festival (Ghost Festival) | 中元節, 中元节 | The day to burn paper "money" and make offerings to ancestors and the dead, so the spirits will not trouble the living. |
| 15th day of 8th lunar month | Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) | 中秋節, 中秋节 | Eat mooncake, family union meal, related to the legend of Chang E |
| 9th day of 9th lunar month | Double Ninth Festival / Chung Yeung Festival | 重陽節, 重阳节 | Autumn outing and mountain climbing |
| Day of the Winter Solstice (solar longitude 270 degrees), around December 22 | Winter Solstice Festival | Feast day, family gatherings, also named "Chinese Thanksgiving" |
