“Dream of Red Mansions”

“A Dream of Red Mansions” has a lot of ink on traditional festivals such as the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Double Ninth Festival, but rarely describes the romantic Qixi Festival. There are only a few tunes, which appear in the novel in the form of poems and songs. As a novel that successfully portrays “Bao Dai’s Love Song“, why cherish ink like gold for Qixi Festival?

The earliest content related to Qixi Festival appeared in the 18th chapter “Grand View Garden Examination Questions Correct, Rongguo Mansion Returns to the Province to Celebrate Lantern Festival“. In the Yuanchun Jin Dynasty, when the concubine Xiande was granted, and she went home to visit her relatives, it was the Lantern Festival. In this episode, Cao Xueqin used lantern riddles and play titles to hint at the different fates and endings of the women in the Grand View Garden, and the joy in front of him reveals the sorrow in the future.

“When I was young, (Yuanchun) ordered four plays: the first “Luxury Banquet“, the second “Qi Qiao“, the third “Xian Yuan“, and the fourth “Li Hun“. “. As one of Jia Yuanchun’s four plays in Lantern Festival, “Qi Qiao” comes from “The Palace of Eternal Life” written by Hong Sheng, a playwright in the early Qing Dynasty. “Time” oath, behind which also implies Yuanchun’s last tragic fate.

There are a large number of poems and songs in “A Dream of Red Mansions” to describe the character of the characters. Among them, the words and sentences related to Qixi Festival appear in the 40th chapter “Shi Taijun Two Banquets in the Grand View Garden, Golden Mandarin Duck and Three Proclamation of Yapai Order“. Yuanyang said: “Twenty-five of them are miscellaneous sevens.” Aunt Xue said: “Weaver Girl Cowherd will meet Qixi Festival.”

In the 42nd chapter “Hengwu Junlan speaks to solve doubts, Xiaoxiangzi makes up for the remaining fragrance“, Wang Xifeng asks Grandma Liu to name her daughter because of her illness. Grandma Liu asked her birthday, and Sister Feng said it was the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, so Grandma Liu named her “Sister Qiao“.

According to Grandma Liu’s meaning, if she chooses this name, she will live a long life. When you grow up in the future, everyone will start a family and start a business, or if something goes wrong for a while, disaster will inevitably turn into good luck, and every bad luck will turn into good luck. “It all comes from the word ‘qiao’.”

In the 78th chapter, “Old Scholars Leisurely Conquered Ci, and the Foolish Young Master Made Up Furong“, Jia Baoyu wrote “Furong’s Daughter” to commemorate Qingwen. One of the couplets said: “The magpie in the empty building hangs the needle of the Qixi Festival; who will continue the five threads if the mandarin duck is broken?” Needle begging for cleverness.

“A Dream of Red Mansions” does not seem to be keen on the festival of Qixi Festival. In the eyes of the nobles, it is unlucky to fall on Qixi Festival. Sister Feng said that Qiaojie’s birthday was on the seventh day of the seventh month, and “it’s not a good time to raise her.” Grandma Liu said that the name Qiaojie was “fighting poison with poison, and fighting fire with fire”, which also revealed why the Qixi Festival in “Dream of Red Mansions” was not taken seriously.

“Three Kingdoms”

There is no direct description of Qixi Festival in “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms“, but in the 63rd chapter “Zhuge Liang cried bitterly for Pang Tong, Zhang Yide explained Yan Yan” through Zhuge Liang’s mouth: but said that Kong Ming was in Jingzhou, and it was the Qixi Festival. Let’s talk about closing Sichuan. I saw a star in the west, as big as a bucket, falling from the sky, and the streamer was scattered. Kongming was startled, threw his cup on the ground, covered his face and cried, “Alas! It hurts!” All the officials panicked and asked why. Kong Ming said: “My former calculation is that this year’s Gang Xing is in the west, which is not conducive to the military division; the Tiangou invaded our army, and Taibai came to Luocheng. I have worshiped the Lord of the Book and taught me to guard against it. Whoever thinks that the western star will fall tonight, Pang Shiyuan’s life will die!” After speaking, he cried loudly and said, “My lord has lost an arm!” All the officials were shocked and did not believe his words. Kong Ming said: “In a few days, there must be news.”

“Water Margin”

“Water Margin” has almost no description of Qixi Festival, except that it is slightly reflected in the names of people. In the 43rd chapter “Jinbaozi Trail Meets Dai Zong, Biaoguan Suochang Street Meets Shixiu“, Tianlao Xingguan Suo Yangxiong’s wife appeared on the stage and pointed out the reason for his name “Qiaoyun“.

“Walk out of the place where the cloth was made. It turned out that the woman was born on July 7th, so the small characters are called Qiaoyun.” In the Song and Yuan dynasties, the seventh day of the lunar calendar was a folk festival. Taking Qixi Festival as “begging for cleverness” was popular in the Song Dynasties, and people born on July 7 were often named “Qiao”.

As a woman whose life style deviates in “Water Margin”, Pan Qiaoyun has only a few appearances, from 45 episodes of “Yang Xiong Drunkly Scolding Pan Qiaoyun” to 46 episodes of “Illness Suo makes a big fuss in Cuiping Mountain” ended her absurd and sad life.

“Journey to the West”

“Journey to the West” takes the stories of Buddhist disciples as the theme, and has little to do with Qixi Festival. But it has to be mentioned that the daughter king has a deep affection for Tang Seng. A woman is willing to use “royal power and wealth” to fight against his “precepts and rules“, but her “love and desire” meets Tang Sanzang’s “flowing water is ruthless“, so she has to “quietly ask the holy monk whether her daughter is beautiful“.

If you want to know the origin of Qixi Festival, please visit www.news.eduprchina.com

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how they are made and enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The History of Mooncakes

Mooncakes have a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. According to legend, the mooncake was first created by the ancient Chinese emperor, Wu Wang, who ruled from 1600 to 1046 BCE. Wang wanted to create a food that would symbolize the moon and be offered to the gods during the Mid-Autumn Festival. He created a round pastry filled with a sweet bean paste, which was meant to represent the moon’s roundness and brightness. Over time, mooncakes evolved to include various fillings, such as lotus seed paste and jujube paste, and became a staple of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Significance of Mooncakes

Mooncakes are more than just a delicious treat; they hold significant cultural and symbolic meaning. The round shape of the mooncake represents completeness and unity, which is why it is traditionally served during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when families come together to celebrate the harvest and the full moon. The moon itself is also a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, which is why mooncakes are often given as gifts during the festival.

How Mooncakes are Made

Mooncakes are traditionally made with a combination of flour, sugar, and oil, which are mixed together to form a dough. The dough is then filled with a sweet or savory filling, such as lotus seed paste or jujube paste, and sealed with a crust. The mooncakes are then baked until they are golden brown and served during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In modern times, mooncakes have become more elaborate and creative, with various flavors and fillings, such as ice cream and chocolate, being introduced.

How Mooncakes are Enjoyed

Mooncakes are traditionally served during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Families gather together to appreciate the full moon and enjoy mooncakes, often accompanied by traditional Chinese tea. Mooncakes are also given as gifts to relatives and friends during the festival, as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. In addition, mooncakes are often served at parties and gatherings during the festival, where they are enjoyed with other traditional Chinese delicacies and drinks.

Mooncakes are an integral part of Chinese culture and tradition, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They symbolize completeness, unity, and good fortune, and are enjoyed by families and friends during the festival. Whether you prefer traditional or modern mooncakes, there is no denying their significance and delicious taste. So, next time you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, be sure to try some mooncakes and experience the rich culture and tradition of China.

The Chinese New Year

The Fu character (福) is a Chinese character that means “happiness,” “blessing,” or “good fortune.” It is a common sight during the Chinese New Year, as people across China paste it on their doors or windows to greet the new year. The character is often written on a diagonal square red paper, and it is usually pasted upside-down. This is because the word for “arrive” in Chinese sounds the same as the word for “upside-down”, so pasting the character upside-down signifies that “good fortune has arrived.”

The Fu character has a rich history in Chinese culture, dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). It was originally used as a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and it was often displayed in homes and businesses to bring good fortune. Over time, the character has evolved to become a ubiquitous symbol of the Chinese New Year, and it is now a popular decoration during the festival.

Why is the Fu character associated with luck? In Chinese culture, luck is a concept that is deeply rooted in the beliefs of the people. The Chinese believe that luck can be influenced by various factors, such as the color red, which is considered auspicious, and the direction of the wind, which can bring good or bad luck. The Fu character is believed to bring good luck because it represents happiness and prosperity, and it is often displayed in a way that signifies the arrival of good fortune.

In addition to its association with luck, the Fu character also has a deeper meaning. It represents the hope for a better future, a chance to start anew, and a way to leave behind the old and embrace the new. During the Chinese New Year, people often exchange gifts and well wishes, and the Fu character is a symbol of the positive energy that flows between people.

In conclusion, the Fu character is a powerful symbol of the Chinese New Year, representing good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. Its association with luck is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and it is a popular decoration during the festival. Whether you’re celebrating the Chinese New Year in China or elsewhere, the Fu character is a universal symbol of the hope and positivity that comes with the start of a new year.

It would be an understatement to say that festivals form an important part of Chinese history and culture, what with the many, many days of celebration happening throughout the year. While each festival has its own unique origin and set of customs, they are all rich with culture, traditions, and delicious food, and almost all accompanied by dazzling displays that illuminate the street.

Many of the celebrations commemorated within Chinese culture have been occurring for thousands and thousands of years and are still happening to this day. However, not all of the traditions from ancient China have been able to withstand the test of time. Scroll on as we delve into these ancient Chinese festival traditions, whilst also touching upon the new traditions that have come to light as the generations have progressed. Readers should note that the dates will often vary from year to year as they are celebrated according to the Chinese calendar, so be sure to check for the most up-to-date dates before making any plans.

To know more about the most popular Chinese festivals, check out this list of Chinese festivals.

6 Popular Chinese festivals

Chinese New Year

First on our list of Chinese festivals is Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival, Chūnjié (春节)), which incidentally is probably the most important of all the popular Chinese holidays. With around 3,500 years of history, the holiday originated with the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why it’s often also referred to as Lunar New Year. According to legend, the origins of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical lion-like monster called Nian who would terrorise villages every new year. Once it was discovered that the beast was afraid of the colour red, loud noises, and fire, villagers began the tradition of staying up all night, letting off fireworks and adorning their homes with red decorations (symbolising wealth and good fortune) to ward off Nian. To this day, the Chinese still wear red during Chinese New Year to scare away spirits of bad fortune.

A national holiday in China, the festival has come to be regarded as a ‘reunion’ holiday, with Chinese families traveling in droves from all corners of the world to be with their family in what’s become known as the largest annual human migration in the world. Fittingly, the tradition of having a family feast on Chinese New Year eve is called the ‘reunion dinner’ (团年饭), and is believed to be the most important meal of the year boasting an excess of food and drink.

Although many of the ancient Chinese New Year traditions are still at large, the younger generations have adapted many of them to suit the society around them. For example, the tradition of giving red packets has very recently adapted amongst some younger circles, with many opting to send virtual red packets through the immensely popular Chinese social media app, WeChat. To learn more about how the customs and traditions surrounding Chinese New Year have changed over time, check out this informative article that focuses on the past 50 years, courtesy of China Highlights.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival also known as Lantern Festival, Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, Zhōngqiū jié (中秋节)) is a holiday that is all about the appreciation of the moon, and is one of the most popular Chinese festivals to date. There are many legends tied to the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival, from the story of Chang’e (the goddess that floated up to the moon) to the jade rabbit in the moon. Fittingly, the festival is supposed to take place on the day that the moon is at its brightest and fullest. Like with most popular Chinese festivals, it is typical to spend the holiday dining with family, with one of the most common traditions being eating and gifting mooncakes. Aside from gazing at the moon, people are also expected to gift other items to their friends and families, such as fruit or even fresh hairy crab.

Despite many of the Mid-Autumn Festivals traditions still being carried out to this day, some traditions have been lost over the years. For example, in ancient China, many families would go outside and worship the moon and the goddess Chang’e. However, in this day and age, it’s quite rare to find the younger generation worshiping the moon. It’s far more common to see families dining together either at home or at a restaurant, feasting on mooncakes, and creating beautifully adorned hanging paper lanterns.

Qingming Festival

Another popular Chinese holiday is Qingming (清明) (also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day), a festival that commemorates the life of the departed through an elaborate set of rituals. These rituals are all about continuing to pay respects to your ancestors by continuing the upkeep of their graves. Every year, family members will congregate together as they clean and sweep their ancestors’ graves. Offerings of traditional dishes such as roast suckling pig, whole steamed chicken, and an impressive array of fruits are also made to their ancestors as a mark of respect. The tradition of burning joss sticks and joss paper (also known as ghost money) is a common Qing Ming practice. A means of honouring the dead, it is believed that the ritual transmits money to their deceased relatives, ensuring their comfort in the afterlife.

Today, many of the traditions associated with Qingming are unable to be carried out by some of the younger generation. This is due to the fact that more and more Chinese are opting to live abroad, making the act of traveling to one’s ancestor’s grave pretty difficult. Although this festival may not be commonly practiced by the younger generation, these traditions are still strictly observed by the older generations that are still living in the same country or city as their ancestors.

Dragon Boat Festival

The origin of the Dragon Boat Festival (also known as Duan Wu Jie (端午节)) is nothing short of unique. In ancient China, locals paddled out on boats to scare the fish away and retrieve the body of Qu Yuan (a patriotic poet who drowned himself in the river when the Chu state fell in 278BC). The dragon boat races that still happen till this day are symbolic attempts to rescue and recover the body of Qu Yuan. As one of the oldest and most traditional festivals, there are a few traditions that take place on the day that locals like to practice, such as eating zongzi or hanging calamus and wormwood on doors to dispel evil and bring health.

Although the tradition of dragon boat racing is still at large, some of the other less well-known traditions are slowly fading, and are more commonly practiced in the Chinese countryside. A national holiday celebrated throughout China and beloved by many, Dragon Boat Festival is as fun and boisterous as it sounds, with the races gaining popularity.

Winter Solstice

Held on the only day of the year when the night is the longest and the day is the shortest, and when the yin qualities of darkness and cold are at their height (symbolising that yang is just around the corner), the Winter Solstice Festival (also known as Dōngzhì Festival (冬至)) is a day meant for eating warm and hearty food. The most commonly enjoyed food during this occasion is tangyuan, a Chinese dessert which is supposed to symbolise family, unity, and prosperity.

Celebrated by the Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese, Winter Solstice is a long carried out tradition with years of history and customs that differ depending on where you hail from, with some rituals involving lamb and others dumplings, wontons, or porridge. To learn more about this popular Chinese festival, check out our feature on Dongzhi Festival (冬至, Dōngzhì).

The Hungry Ghost Festival

Celebrated over a month-long period, The Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as the Zhongyuan Festival (中元节) in Taoism and Yulanpen Festival (盂兰盆节) in Buddhism) falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the lunar new year during Ghost Month, a time when it is believed that troubled spirits are able to roam the streets and haunt the living. As with all Chinese celebrations, the Hungry Ghost Festival is steeped in rich tradition, including: making money and food offerings to the ghosts, burning incense sticks, joss paper, and even little pieces of origami. These acts all share one purpose: to avoid the wrath of these wandering souls.

Customs and superstitions vary but include paying tribute to the deceased, leaving food and paper offerings, releasing floating water lanterns, the staging of traditional Chinese operas, and the handing out of rice. It’s also recommended that you avoid going out too late, don’t go swimming, and don’t sing or whistle.

There is certainly no shortage of tradition and culture in China. Hopefully this list of Chinese festivals has helped to illuminate the origins and traditions behind some of the post popular Chinese holidays.

Feature photo courtesy of Shutterstock, Photo 1 courtesy of National Geographic, Photo 2 courtesy of South China Morning Post, Photo 3 courtesy of Hong Kong Travel Guide, Photo 4 courtesy of Culture Trip, Photo 5 courtesy of China Discovery, Photo 6 courtesy of Legacy of Taste

11 Most Important Chinese Festivals

To know more about  these Chinese festivals in 2022, check out this list of Chinese Festivals before you leave for your vacation. Keep scrolling down!

1. Dongzhi Festival

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Being one of the most celebrated Chinese festivals 2022, Dongzhi Festival is held in the month of December every year. This is the most famous festivals in china and is also called Winter Solstice. If you are wondering what is the philosophy behind this festival, then you will be glad to know it is based on balance and harmony in the cosmos. After the grand celebration of this festival days will be filled with longer daylight hours. Today people in China celebrate this festival by visiting each other and making delicious dishes like Tangyuan, which is made from rice flour. Tangyuan is a delicious multicoloured dish and you must try it while you are on your vacation!

2. Chinese New Year Festival

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Also known as the Chinese Spring Festival, this is without a doubt one of the most important Chinese festivals with a history of more than 4000 years and you will get to know about Chinese new year traditions on this day. Most of the people enjoy this festival for 7 days and the celebration lasts for over 2 weeks, beginning from the eve of the festival. The Chinese New Year festival is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, i.e., on the first day of the first lunar month.

3. Yuan Xiao Festival

Also called the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival in China, Yuan Xiao Festival is held on the 15th day after the Spring Festival. It marks the continuation and end of the New Year celebration. Among all the festivals in China, this festival involves enjoying the sight of beautiful lanterns of different shapes and sizes at night. The lantern shows bring people from all over the world to witness the amazing designs and colors. A traditional Chinese dish called Tangyuan is also eaten on this day.

4. Qingming Festival

Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, Qingming Festival is one of the most important Chinese festivals as people gear up to offer sacrifices on this day. The Han, as well as the minority ethnic groups, bring sacrifices to offer their ancestors and sweep the tombs of loved ones who have departed from this world. It is pretty much similar to the All Souls’ Day that is celebrated by Christians in India on 2nd of November every year.

5. Labor Day

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May Day, or International Workers’ Day, is an international holiday that is celebrated in more than 80 countries across the world. In December 1949, the Central People’s Government Council formally designated the 1st of May as Chinese Labor Day. People celebrate this day by enjoying different forms of entertainment that are held in theaters, public squares, or parks. In the evening, Government agencies at all levels organize parties and inviting model laborers to enjoy programs.

6. Duanwu Festival

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This is yet another one of the ancient Chinese festivals that attracts millions of people. Also known as the Dragon Boat festival of China, people celebrate by gathering together to take part or watch the dragon boat races, especially in the southern areas of China. Another important part of the Duanwu festival is eating Zong Zi, which is the glutinous rice wrapped in reed leaves and it is a must try.

7. Qixi Festival

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This is a festival where girls show their artwork, handicrafts, and wish for a good husband while the boys on the other hand, send flowers to girls. Young couples often go out shopping to celebrate this day as Qixi Festival is a traditional holiday that was named “China’s Valentine’s Day” recently. It is a fun day for young people to enjoy themselves and have a great time with their peers.

8. Hungry Ghost Festival

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This is one of the most prominent festivals in the Chinese festival calendar. The Chinese people have special customs for the dead and their ghosts, especially those that are thousands of years old. It’s part of a famous folk religion in China called Daoism where the locals believe that special precautions and ceremonies for the deceased ancestors are required in the seventh month of the lunar calendar. Celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the Hungry Ghost Festival of China is just one of the many traditional festivals that are celebrated here to worship ancestors.

9. Mid-Autumn Festival

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This is one of the 3 most important Chinese festivals. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday originating from the worship of the moon and it symbolizes harvest and family reunion. Traditionally, this festival is celebrated with family, similar to the Thanksgiving Day. As with the Spring Festival, family members get together on this day and enjoy the sight of the full moon, which is an auspicious symbol of luck and harmony, and feast on delicious mooncakes.

10. The National Day Of China

The National Day celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and it is undoubtedly one of the most important festivals in China. It is celebrated throughout mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong with a number of different activities, such as concerts and fireworks organized by the Government.

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11. Chongyang Festival

This festival is also known as the Double Ninth Festival. During the Chongyang festival, people celebrate by drinking Chrysanthemum wine and eating Chongyang cake. In some parts of the country, people go mountain climbing or travel to areas where they can admire chrysanthemums and it is indeed a major festival that is celebrated with a lot of pomp.

While there are many festivals that the Chinese celebrate, this list of Chinese festivals enlists some of the most important ones. And no matter which one you celebrate, your experience is sure to be full of colors, fun, and sheer bliss on your next trip to China.

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There is a rule. The Spring Festival means it is the beginning of the new year and the Spring. When is the beginning of Spring? Usually 4th February, also a solar term in China, called 立春 (Beginning of Spring). So it is reasonable to let the Spring Festival around 2.4.

This is based on Chinese Luna Calendric System, Which is actually a mix of solar system and lunar system, and is very scientific.

There are 24 solar terms, 6 for each season. There is also a poem about them.

春雨惊春清谷天 — 立春，雨水，惊蛰，春分，清明，谷雨

夏满芒夏暑相连 — 立夏，小满，芒种，夏至，小暑，大暑

秋处露秋寒霜降 — 立秋，处暑，白露，秋分，寒露，霜降

冬雪雪冬小大寒 — 立冬，小雪，大雪，冬至，小寒，大寒

The first one means the beggining of each season. The fourth ones are important: Spring equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnai equinox, Winter Solstice. They are coincident exactly with Four seasons, and farmers arrange their activities according to them.