14 Traditional Chinese Festivals and How They Are Celebrated

As we explore the vibrant culture of China, one cannot overlook the significance of Chinese festivals. These festivals are an integral part of Chinese tradition and are celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervor across the country. Each festival has its unique customs, traditions, and stories behind it, making it a fascinating subject to learn.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Chinese festivals. We will explore the most popular festivals celebrated across China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and other Chinese communities in the world, along with their history, customs, and traditions. Let’s begin exploring our list of Chinese Festivals!

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival (春節, Chūn jié), is the most important festival in the Chinese-speaking world. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between late January and mid-February. The festival typically lasts for 15 days, with each day having its own unique customs and traditions.

The origin of the Lunar New Year dates back to ancient China, where it was believed that a mythical beast named Nian (年, Nián) would come and attack villages on Lunar New Year’s Eve. To ward off the beast, people would decorate their homes with red lanterns and set off firecrackers that night. Today, these traditions continue, with red symbolizing good luck and warding off evil spirits.

During the festival, families gather together to enjoy feasts and exchange red envelopes filled with money, which are seen as good luck. Traditional dishes such as dumplings, fish, and rice cakes are served, each with their symbolic meaning. For example, dumplings represent wealth and prosperity, while fish symbolize abundance and surplus for the coming years.

Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and is also known as the Yuánxiāo jié (元宵節).

One legend explains that a hunter accidentally killed a divine bird, angering the Jade Emperor who planned to punish humans with fire on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The Jade Emperor's daughter warned people to hang lanterns and set off firecrackers on the 14th, 15th, and 16th to mimic fire. The Emperor, thinking the punishment had been carried out, spared humanity. This led to the tradition of hanging lanterns and lighting firecrackers each year.

The Lantern Festival is known for its colorful lanterns, which are lit and displayed throughout the festival. People also enjoy solving riddles written on the lanterns. Another popular activity during the festival is eating tāngyuán (湯圓), a sweet glutinous rice ball that symbolizes family unity and happiness.

Tomb Sweeping Day

Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival or Chingming Festival (清明節, Qīngmíng jié), is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on April 4th or 5th each year. It is a time for people to pay respect to their ancestors by visiting their graves, sweeping and cleaning the tombs, and offering food and other items as a sign of filial piety.

The origins of Tomb Sweeping Day date back over 2,500 years to the Warring States Period. It was originally a day for people to pay tribute to the great poet and minister Jiè Zhītuī (介之推), who sacrificed himself to save his prince from starvation. Over time, the day became a time to remember and honor all ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

One of the most important customs is the offering of food and other items to the ancestors. People will often burn incense and paper money and leave offerings of fruit, rice, and other foods at the gravesite. It is believed that the ancestors will receive these offerings in the afterlife.

Another important aspect of this day is the practice of planting willow branches. During the festival, ancestral spirits are allowed to receive offerings from their descendants. At the same time, unclaimed wandering spirits roam freely. To ward off these spirits, people place willow branches around their homes, as it's believed that these ghosts fear willow branches.

Vesak Day/Buddha's Birthday

Vesak Day, also known as Buddha's Birthday (佛誕日, Fó dàn rì), is a significant festival in Buddhism that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is observed on the full-moon day of the lunar month Vesakha, which falls in April, May, or June in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated in many countries, especially in South and Southeast Asia, as well as Tibet and Mongolia. The day is observed as a public holiday in many of these countries.

During Vesak Day, Buddhists engage in various religious activities, such as visiting temples, offering alms to monks, and performing acts of kindness. Many also light candles and decorate their homes and temples with flowers and lanterns.

In Taiwan, the Vesak Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. This day commemorates the ascension of Queen Maya, the mother of Buddha Shakyamuni, who ascended to heaven seven days after his birth. It is said that Shakyamuni manifested infinite light to bless his mother, and many celestial beings came to worship. The festival coincides with Mother's Day in Taiwan, prompting Buddhist groups to hold events honoring mothers.

Chinese Mother’s Day

Chinese Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, which is the same as the Western calendar. This festival honors the contributions and sacrifices of mothers, influenced by Western Mother's Day but incorporating Chinese traditions and values. It is widely celebrated across China and in Chinese communities worldwide, it is a secular holiday observed by people of all religions.

During Chinese Mother’s Day, children express their love and gratitude towards their mothers by giving gifts, and flowers, and preparing special meals. Some families pay tribute to ancient Chinese mother figures like Mencius's mother, famed for her wisdom and devotion.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival (端午節, Duānwǔ jié), is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is one of the most important cultural events.

The origin of the festival is attributed to the legend of Qū Yuán (屈原), a patriotic poet and statesman who drowned himself in the river as a protest against the corrupt government. The festival is celebrated to commemorate his death and to honor his contributions to Chinese culture.

People traditionally eat zòngzi (粽子), sticky rice dumplings, and drink realgar wine due to their historical and cultural significance. The consumption of zongzi was meant to honor Qu Yuan as locals threw zongzi into the river to prevent fish from eating his body. Drinking realgar wine, believed to have protective and detoxifying properties, is a symbolic gesture meant to ward off evil spirits and ensure health and safety during this time.

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice (夏至, Xiàzhì) is a significant festival in ancient China, marking the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, with both astronomical and traditional importance.

During the Han Dynasty, the solar year was divided into 24 solar terms, including the Summer Solstice. Modern-day activities or customs are scarce, likely due to its close association with the Dragon Boat Festival. In the Song Dynasty, officials enjoyed a three-day holiday, which became a public one later in the Qing Dynasty. Celebrations included eating seasonal foods like wheat noodles to mark the harvest and bathing to dispel summer heat and maintain health.

Chinese Valentine's Day

Chinese Valentine's Day, also known as Qīxì (七夕) or the Double Seventh Day, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This festival has a romantic origin and is based on the legend of Niúláng (牛郎) and Zhīnǚ (織女), two separated lovers who were finally allowed to meet once a year on this day.

On this day, couples exchange gifts, go on dates, and express their love for each other. Some of the popular gifts include chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. Many couples also take the opportunity to get engaged or married on this day.

Young women will gather to make dumplings together. They place a coin, a needle, and a red date in three separate dumplings. After praying for skills in weaving and sewing (乞巧, Qǐqiǎo), they eat the dumplings. According to tradition, finding the coin signifies good fortune, the needle indicates dexterity, and the date suggests an early marriage.

In addition to romantic activities, people also celebrate by making offerings to Zhinu, the weaving goddess, and praying for good fortune. Some of the traditional foods eaten during this festival include Qiaoguo, a type of fried pastry made with flour and honey.

Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as Zhōngyuán jié (中元節), is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. This festival dates back to the Han Dynasty and is believed to have originated from Taoist and Buddhist beliefs.

During this month-long festival, Chinese people believe that the gates of the underworld open, and the spirits of the dead return to the world of the living. It is customary to offer food, incense, and paper money to the deceased ancestors to appease them and prevent them from causing harm.

One of the main features of the Hungry Ghost Festival is the burning of joss paper, also known as ghost money. This is a form of currency that is believed to be used in the afterlife. People also perform traditional Chinese opera and other forms of entertainment to please the spirits.

In Taiwan, people practice two main customs during this time: floating lanterns and pole-climbing competitions. Floating lanterns (放水燈, Fàng shuǐ dēng), inscribed with names and addresses, are set adrift on rivers or the sea to guide and inform wandering spirits, helping them find their way home. The pole-climbing competition (搶孤, Qiǎng gū) involves participants scaling tall bamboo structures to seize offerings, symbolizing bravery and scaring away lingering malevolent ghosts. These activities occur on or around the Ghost Festival, aiming to honor and appease spirits.

Chinese Father's Day

In Taiwan, Father's Day is celebrated on August 8th each year because the pronunciation of "eight eight" (八八, bābā) is similar to "papa" in Mandarin. Additionally, when the characters for "eight" are put together, they resemble the character for "father" (父, fù). Therefore, August 8th is designated as Father's Day and is also known as "Bābā jié" (爸爸節).

In the People's Republic of China, there is no official Father's Day. However, some people celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, following the tradition of the United States. In the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, Father's Day is also celebrated on the third Sunday of June, but it is not a public holiday.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Zhōngqiū jié (中秋節), is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually falling in September or early October. This festival is an important cultural event for Chinese people worldwide. It marks the harvest and honors the full moon, symbolizing unity and completeness in Chinese culture.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people gather with their families and friends to enjoy mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry that is round and symbolizes the full moon. Mooncakes are usually filled with sweet bean paste, lotus seed paste, or other fillings such as nuts, fruits, or meat.

In Taiwan, people usually barbecue together on the Moon Festival since the 1980s, when aggressive television advertising by barbecue sauce companies popularized the activity. These campaigns created a strong association between barbecuing and the Mid-Autumn Festival, making it a beloved tradition. The communal and festive atmosphere of barbecuing perfectly complements the holiday's emphasis on family gatherings and celebration, making it a highly anticipated activity each year.

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爺誕, Jiǔ Huángyé dàn) is a nine-day Taoist celebration that takes place in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. It begins on the eve of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival primarily celebrates the birthdays of the Nine Emperor Gods, who are believed to have control over the affairs of life and death.

During the festival, devotees perform various rituals such as burning incense and making offerings to the Nine Emperor Gods to ward off plagues and spirits. Some devotees also participate in processions and pierce their bodies with skewers and hooks as a sign of devotion.

One of the biggest features of the festival is the procession of the Nine Emperor Gods, which takes place on the ninth day of the festival. Devotees carry a statue of the Nine Emperor Gods through the streets, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.

Another important aspect of the festival is the food. During the festival, devotees prepare and consume vegetarian dishes, which are believed to purify the body and soul. It is also customary in the Malaysian Chinese community to observe a nine-day vegetarian diet, with many, regardless of age or gender, choosing to follow this practice.

Double Ninth Festival

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Chóngyáng jié (重陽節), is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The festival is considered an important day for seniors, and it is also known as Senior's Day. The origin of the Double Ninth Festival can be traced back to ancient China. It is believed that nine is a yang number, and the ninth day of the ninth month has extra yang energy. In modern times, the Double Ninth Festival is still celebrated in many parts of the Chinese-speaking world. People would climb mountains, admire chrysanthemums, and eat Chongyang cake, a traditional pastry. The festival is also a time for families to gather and show their respect for their elders.

In Hong Kong, kite flying is a beloved tradition during the Chongyang Festival, with roots tracing back to the Han Dynasty. This activity is meant to bring good luck and health, as people fly kites from various locations such as trees, rooftops, hillsides, and riverbanks. During these moments, participants pray for the safety and well-being of their family and friends, hoping to attract fortune and health for everyone.

Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice Festival, also known as the Dongzhì (冬至), is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated during the Dongzhi solar term, which falls between December 21 and December 23. The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos.

One of the most important customs of the Winter Solstice Festival is eating tangyuan as it symbolizes the increasing daylight hours and the return of yang energy. Tangyuan, representing "wholeness and reunion," is consumed to welcome this positive energy, hoping for completeness and family unity. A common saying goes, "Eating tangyuan adds a year to your life," indicating that eating these rice balls also signifies growing a year older.

Another custom is the practice of offering sacrifices. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, the emperor would hold a grand ceremony to worship the gods on this day. People would set up altars with offerings such as tangyuan, fruits, and three types of sacrificial animals to honor the deities and ancestors. This tradition is meant to express gratitude for the past year's blessings and to pray for protection and support in the coming year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major festivals celebrated in the Chinese-speaking World?

The Chinese community has several important festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important and widely celebrated festival around the world. Other major festivals include the Lantern Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, and the Dragon Boat Festival.

How is the Chinese New Year celebrated and for how long does it last?

The Chinese New Year is celebrated with family reunions, feasts, fireworks, and the exchange of red envelopes filled with money. Traditionally, the celebrations last for 15 days, starting on the first day of the lunar calendar.

What is the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is a time for family reunions, moon watching, and the eating of mooncakes.