Chinese Cultural Events

China has been considered as one of the oldest countries in the world. Its history has traveled back to five centuries ago. A very long time, isn’t it? As the time went by, the Chinese has developed many cultures and traditions. One of them is traditional events. The most common events that people in whole world recognize are Chinese New Year, Qingming Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Lion Dance (Barongsai)

Red-colored Decoration

Chinese New Year is one of the Chinese traditional events. It is celebrated every first day of first Lunar month, and its purpose is to welcome spring after months of winter. When the day comes near, people will start cleaning their house and decorating it with red-colored decoration, New Year couplets and cherry trees. At the night before the day, the whole family will gather around, and they will have a big feast together. Afterwards, when the clock strikes midnight, they congratulate each other and wish them luck, prosperity, health, longevity, and so on. The next day, people will visit their relatives, and as a part of the custom, the elders will give the younger generations red envelopes filled with money. After visiting session, some people usually go to the town center to watch the Dragon Dance (Liong) or Lion Dance (Barongsai). The event continues until fifteen days later, and when that day comes, people will serve and eat stuffed rice dumpling. After this day is over, Chinese New Year is considered to come to an end that year.

A Woman in Qingming Festival

Qingming Festival is also one of the Chinese traditional events. It is celebrated every fifth day of fourth Lunar month, and its purpose is to honor the ancestors. In this day, people would visit their ancestors’ grave and clean them. Then they will put some food, fruits, flowers, or snacks upon the tombstones and burn some incense to give respect to their deceased ancestors. After the ritual, people will go strolling to enjoy spring air, or they will have picnic with their family. Some people will climb the mountain and after they reach the top, they will admire the view below and reflect on themselves. Other activities that are usually conducted on this day are flying kites, playing swings, or kicking footballs.

Mooncakes

The Moon in Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival, or more commonly called Moon Festival is another Chinese traditional event. It is celebrated every fifteenth day of eighth Lunar month. This day is the most perfect day to view the moon since the moon will reach its biggest, fullest and brightest state. On this day, family and friends will gather together and have a leisure talk while enjoying the moon. Eating mooncakes is also a part of tradition in celebrating this festival. Afterwards, some people will lit some lanterns and float them to the sky, or they will go to the town center and watch the performance of Fire Dragon Dance.

These three events are among numerous Chinese traditional events. These events are as old as the China itself, and there are many important meanings in each event. The Chinese always enjoy celebrating these traditional events because these events are a part of their tradition.