CHINESE HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
In China the lunar calendar is used in conjunction with the regular calendar.
Therefore, holidays and festivals might be determined by one or the other.
The following are short explanations of various special days in China.
Late August - Hungry Ghost Day
This is rather like Halloween, a time to put out offerings to ghosts that
return at that time and who would be hurtful if not propitiated.
Early September - Longyan Day
It is a Chinese tradition to eat the fruit longyan in order to bring good
fortune throughout the year.
September 10,2000 - Teachers' Day
Students and former students give cards/flowers/candy to their teachers.
Institutions give money and gifts to express appreciation for the devotion
of teachers to the education of students. The All China Women's Federation
visits Hwa Nan to give all faculty members a small gift in gratitude for
their work with the women of the college.
September 12, 2000 - Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival
People (mostly families) go out to watch the full moon rise and climb the
sky. It is a time of peaceful gratitude and contemplation of the love of
friends and family. Special cakes called Moon Cakes are eaten, a tradition
of over 1000 years.
October 1 - National Day
This is the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China and
usually involves several days vacation from work. At Hwa Nan, this day
coincides with special performances to welcome new students. Songs, skits,
dancing, a fashion show, plus other entertainment celebrate both National
Day and to welcome Hwa Nan's new students.
October 6, 2000 - Chong Yang Festival
Old people are honored on this day. They celebrate by climbing a hill to fly
a kite. Some, obviously, would avoid such activity because of age.
December 25 - Christmas
This is a Christian holiday celebrated in the Christian churches and
increasingly acknowledged by the Chinese people with cards, gifts and store
decorations.
January 1 - New Year's Day
Special television programs and some family get-togethers mark this day.
January 24, 2001 - Lunar New Year or Spring Festival
Spring Festival is celebrated with family and relatives. Schools will not be
in session from January 17 to February 13, 2001. It is a time of family
feasts and a total cleaning of every inch of the family home as a new start
for the new year. Children and students are given money by their parents
which they usually use to buy new clothes. Factory and company workers
usually get a 3 day vacation for the Lunar New Year.
February 7, 2001 - Lantern Festival
Traditional paper lanterns decorate the streets and the entrances to homes.
Children make fanciful ones representing animals, boats, mythical creatures,
etc. Thousands of years ago lanterns were placed outside the doors of homes
to show their dead ancestors the way home. Even today parades take place by
a whole clan to lead their deceased relatives home. The traditional food served on this day is yan xiao, a delicious sweet dumpling made of glutinous rice flour.
February 21, 2001 - Honor Parents' Day
It is on this day that the children honor their parents by cooking a meal,
buying a gift, and cleaning the house.
March 8, 2001 - Women's Day
All working women get a half day holiday but all women are honored this day.
April 5 - Qing Ming Festival
For centuries the tradition on this day has been to visit the tombs of
deceased relatives to clean the grave sites (which are often in the hills)
of over-grown weeds, to burn incense and paper money, to leave food and to pray.
May 1 - Labor Day
Usually this constitutes several days vacation from work, some parades, and
a time when students clean the streets, yards, and parks.
May 4, 2001 - Youth Day
Young people are honored with a half day holiday.
June 25, 2001 - Dragon Boat Festival
This special time commemorates the death of an ancient
philosopher-scholar(Qu Yuan)who was ostracized from the emperor's court
because of his opposing ideas for the country. He was so depressed that he
drowned himself in the river. The townspeople loved him so they got into
boats to feed Zongzi to the fish so they would not eat his body. Now-a-days
the Chinese observe races of long dragonhead prowed boats, often owned and
rowed by men from one village. People eat Zongzi during this time which is
glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.
It is a treat to learn and experience the ancient customs and traditions of
the Chinese. Learn more about these holidays and festivals from the Internet
if you are curious to expand your knowledge.
