Festivals of China

Chinese festivals are an important part of the nation's long and rich historical culture, featuring diverse forms and abundant contents. The formation of traditional festivals is a process of long-term accumulation and condensation of the historical and cultural heritage of a nation or country.

Ancient Traditional Festivals

The ancient traditional festivals of China encompass humanistic and natural cultural contents such as primitive beliefs, sacrificial culture, astronomical calendars, and Yi-ology and numerology, embodying profound and rich cultural connotations. Developed from the period of ancient ancestors, Chinese traditional festivals not only clearly record the rich and colorful social and cultural life of the Chinese ancestors but also accumulate extensive and profound historical and cultural connotations.

The main Chinese traditional festivals include: Spring Festival (the first day of the lunar new year); Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month);  Mid-Autumn Festival (the 15th day of the eighth lunar month);  and New Year's Eve (the 29th or 30th day of the twelfth lunar month), etc.

24 Solar Terms

The 24 Solar Terms were created more than 2,000 years ago by ancient Chinese people, who divided the year into 24 distinct periods based on changes in climate and natural phenomena. This system is not only crucial for guiding agricultural activities but also deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture and folk customs. In 2016, the 24 Solar Terms were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, recognizing their significance as a cultural treasure.

These 24 terms, which include the Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, the Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, the Beginning of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, the Summer Solstice, Slight Heat, Great Heat, the Beginning of Autumn, the End of Heat, White Dew, the Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost's Descent, the Beginning of Winter, Slight Snow, Heavy Snow, the Winter Solstice, Slight Cold, and Great Cold, are deeply intertwined with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, as well as the Eight Trigrams, tracing their origins back to ancient times.

The 24 Solar Terms are not only important for guiding agricultural activities but also deeply integrated into Chinese traditional culture and folk customs. Many festivals and customs are associated with these solar terms, such as the Qingming Festival for sweeping the tombs during Pure Brightness and the Winter Solstice Festival for worshiping ancestors and family reunions.

International Festivals in China

As we traverse through the diverse tapestry of cultures and traditions worldwide, it's fascinating to see how different festivals from around the globe are embraced and celebrated in China. Christmas, though not traditionally a Chinese holiday, has gained considerable popularity in recent times. Similarly, the Valentine's Day on February 14th is marked with romantic gestures akin to those seen in many other parts of the world. Couples exchange gifts, flowers, and chocolates, and restaurants frequently become fully booked as people enjoy special dinners together.