Festivals & Folklore

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu or Dragon Boat Day, is a vibrant Chinese holiday held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually in June. It honors loyalty, wards off bad luck, and brings communities together through exciting traditions like dragon boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings. Let’s explore its origins, customs, and global appeal in a way that’s easy to understand and full of heart. Quick Facts About the Dragon Boat Festival Aspect Details Date Fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June 10, 2025) Main Activities Dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, hanging herbs Origin Honors poet Qu Yuan and ancient dragon worship Significance Celebrates loyalty, health, and community spirit Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival began thousands of years ago, blending nature worship with farming traditions. In ancient China, summer was a time to pray for good harvests. People believed dragons controlled rain, so they held ceremonies on the fifth lunar month’s fifth day, when the “dragon star” shone brightest. They also used herbs to keep sickness away during…

The Ching Ming Festival, also known as Qingming, is a cherished Chinese holiday that blends honoring ancestors with celebrating spring’s renewal. Celebrated around April 4 or 5, it’s a time for families to visit graves, enjoy nature, and reflect on loyalty and heritage. This guide dives into its origins, traditions, and why it matters, making it easy for anyone to understand this heartfelt tradition. Quick Facts About the Ching Ming Festival Aspect Details Date April 4 or 5, 2025 (Friday, April 4) Main Activities Tomb-sweeping, spring outings, eating qingtuan Origins Jie Zitui legend and ancient farming calendar Significance Honors ancestors, celebrates nature, promotes family bonds Origins of the Ching Ming Festival The Ching Ming Festival has deep roots in Chinese culture, springing from two sources. First, as one of the 24 solar terms, Ching Ming marks the perfect time for planting crops like melons and beans. Farmers relied on this period to kick off spring farming. Second, it ties to the Cold Food Festival, a tradition honoring a loyal hero named Jie Zitui. Over time, these blended into a single…

The Cold Food Festival, a poetic Chinese holiday, celebrates loyalty, nature, and renewal. Held 105 days after the winter solstice, typically in late March or early April, it coincides with spring’s arrival. This festival, rooted in ancient customs and folklore, invites families to honor the past through unique traditions like eating cold food and avoiding fire. Below, we explore its origins, customs, and cultural significance, ensuring you grasp why this festival captivates hearts worldwide. Quick Facts About the Cold Food Festival Aspect Details Date 105 days after winter solstice, usually March or April Main Custom No cooking fires; eat pre-prepared cold food like qingtuan Origin Tied to Jie Zitui’s loyalty and ancient fire-changing rituals Cultural Value Honors loyalty, family, and respect for nature Origins of the Cold Food Festival The Cold Food Festival began in ancient China, blending folklore with practical traditions. One key origin is the “fire-changing” ritual. In ancient times, people believed winter’s fire carried bad luck. So, in spring, they extinguished old fires and lit new ones, symbolizing renewal. For three days, families ate cold food to…

The Shangsi Festival, celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, is like a big springtime party in China. Usually falling in April, this ancient holiday is all about welcoming new life, washing away bad luck, and having fun by the water. Think picnics, poetry, and colorful eggs—it’s China’s way of saying “hello, spring!” Let’s explore what makes the Shangsi Festival so special! Quick Facts About the Shangsi Festival Want the scoop on the Shangsi Festival? Here’s a quick guide to get you started: What A Chinese festival celebrating spring and renewal When Third day of the third lunar month (usually April) Why To honor nature, wash away bad luck, and enjoy family time Top Activities Riverside rituals, picnics, poetry games, eating colorful eggs What Is the Shangsi Festival? The Shangsi Festival is one of China’s oldest holidays, dating back over 3,000 years. It’s celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, when spring is in full swing and everything feels fresh. Ancient Chinese believed this was the perfect day to head to rivers, wash off…

The Dragon Head-Raising Festival, celebrated on the second day of the second lunar month, is a lively Chinese tradition that kicks off spring with hope and good vibes. Also called the “Spring Plowing Festival” or “Blue Dragon Festival,” this day marks the moment when dragons—believed to control rain and harvests—wake up from their winter nap. Ready to discover why this festival is so special? Let’s dive in! Quick Guide to the Dragon Head-Raising Festival Here’s a snapshot of the Dragon Head-Raising Festival to answer your top questions right away: What A Chinese festival welcoming spring and praying for rain When Second day of the second lunar month (around late February or early March) Why To honor dragons, pray for good harvests, and start spring strong Top Activities Getting haircuts, eating “dragon food,” dancing with dragon lanterns What Is the Dragon Head-Raising Festival? The Dragon Head-Raising Festival is like a big “hello, spring!” party in China. It happens on the second day of the second lunar month, usually in late February or early March (for example, March 1, 2025). This day…

The Lantern Festival is a dazzling celebration that wraps up the Chinese New Year with glowing lanterns, tasty dumplings, and joyful traditions. Held on the 15th day of the first lunar month—usually in February or March—this festival lights up the night under the first full moon of the year. It’s all about family, hope, and chasing away the winter blues. Ready to learn more? Let’s explore what makes the Lantern Festival so special! Key Facts About the Lantern Festival Before we dive in, here’s a quick snapshot of the Lantern Festival to answer your top questions: What A Chinese festival celebrating family and light When 15th day of the first lunar month (full moon) Why To honor family unity and hope for a bright future Top Activities Eating dumplings, lighting lanterns, solving riddles What Is the Lantern Festival? The Lantern Festival, also called Yuanxiao Festival, is like a big, bright party that ends the Chinese New Year. It happens on the first full moon of the lunar year, which is a super special day for families to come together. In…

Quick Fact: Over a billion people celebrate the Spring Festival, also called Chinese New Year, every year! This amazing festival kicks off the lunar new year with family fun, tasty food, and cool traditions. Wondering what it’s all about? Let’s dive into its origins, stories, customs, and how it’s gone global! What Is the Spring Festival? The Spring Festival is the start of the Chinese lunar new year, happening between January 21 and February 20 on the regular calendar. It celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring, a time when everything feels fresh and new. In fact, archaeologists say people have been celebrating it for over 3,000 years, starting way back in the Shang Dynasty with ceremonies to honor ancestors. The Legend of the Nian Beast Ever heard of the Nian beast? Long ago, this scary monster attacked villages every New Year’s Eve. However, the villagers figured out it hated red, fire, and loud noises. So, they put red paper on their doors and lit bamboo (which later became firecrackers) to scare it away. Today, these tricks…