China, an ancient and vibrant land, has given birth to a rich and colorful traditional culture. Among them, traditional festivals are an important part of Chinese culture. These festivals not only carry a deep historical heritage, but also reflect people's love for life and beautiful expectations for the future. In this article, we will take you through the English names of the 12 traditional festivals in China and the stories behind them.
1. Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China. The Spring Festival symbolizes the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, and people will celebrate at this time such as cleaning, pasting couplets, setting off firecrackers, dragon and lion dances, and eating reunion dinners to pray for a safe and auspicious new year.
2. Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and is also known as the "Shangyuan Festival". On this day, people will eat glutinous rice balls, which symbolizes family reunion. At the same time, there will also be a lantern festival to enjoy a variety of exquisite lanterns.
3. Erlunar Festival
The Dragon Raising Festival is the second day of the second lunar month, when people pray for good luck and a good harvest in the coming year, and it is also a day to worship the dragon and pray for rain.
4. Tomb-sweeping day
Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese sacrificial festival that is usually held around April 5 in the Gregorian calendar. People will go to the grave to worship their ancestors, sweep the tomb, and express their nostalgia for their ancestors.
5. Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to commemorate the ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan. On this day, people will row dragon boats, eat zongzi, and hang wormwood, calamus and other things on the door to ward off evil spirits and avoid harm.
6. Qixi Festival
Qixi Festival is the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as "Chinese Valentine's Day". Legend has it that the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet on this day, and people will look up at the stars at night and pray for a happy marriage.
7. Midyear Festival (Ghost Festival).
The festival is the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, and on this day, people worship their ancestors and the souls of the deceased and pray for peace and prosperity. At the same time, various ceremonies and events are held.
8. Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and people will admire the moon and eat mooncakes on this day, symbolizing family reunion. The Mid-Autumn Festival, together with the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival and Dragon Boat Festival, is known as the four traditional festivals in China.
9. Double Ninth Festival
Chung Yeung Festival is the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and people will climb the heights, plant dogwoods, and drink chrysanthemum wine, implying praying for health and longevity. This festival also embodies the traditional virtues of respecting the elderly of the Chinese nation.
10. Winter Solstice Festival
The winter solstice is an important solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it is also a traditional festival for Han folk ancestors to worship. People eat traditional foods such as tangyuan on this day, which symbolizes reunion and warmth. At the same time, the winter solstice also marks the official start of winter.
Ten.
1. Xiayuan Festival
The Xia Yuan Festival is the 15th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar, which is one of the traditional Chinese sacrificial festivals. On this day, people worship ancestors and gods and pray for peace and a good harvest. At the same time, various ceremonies and activities are held to celebrate the festival.
12. Laba Festival
The eighth day of the lunar month is the Laba Festival, where people cook Laba porridge to worship their ancestors and gods, praying for a good harvest and good fortune. At the same time, laba porridge is also a delicious product in the cold winter.
Conclusion
Each of China's 12 major traditional festivals has its own unique features and stories behind them. By understanding the English names of these festivals, their cultural connotations and historical backgrounds, we can better understand and appreciate the breadth and profundity of Chinese culture. At the same time, these festivals are also an important link of unity and cultural identity of the Chinese nation, and are of great significance for inheriting and promoting Chinese culture.