1
中
zhōng
国
guó
传
chuán
统
tǒng
节
jié
日
rì
1.
春chūn
节
jié
= Spring festival 2.
元yuán
宵
xiāo
节
jié
= Lantern festival 3.
清qīng
明
míng
节
jié
= Tomb sweeping festival 4.
端duān
午
wǔ
节
jié
= Dragon boat festival 5.
七qī
夕
xī
节
jié
= Qixi / Double seventh festival 6.
中zhōng
元
yuán
节
jié
= Ghost festival 7.
中zhōng
秋
qiū
节
jié
= Mid-Autumn festival 8.
重chóng
阳
yáng
节
jié
= Double ninth festival 9.
冬dōng
至
zhì
节
jié
= Winter Solstice
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Here are the dates of celebration and traditional foods associated with each of the mentioned Chinese festivals:
春节
chūnjié
- Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) / 农历新年
nónglìxīnnián
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, has a history of over 3,000 years. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Traditionally, it was a time to honor deities and ancestors, and it has evolved into a celebration of family reunion, with various customs and rituals.
Date: The date varies each year but usually falls between January 21 and February 20.
Foods: Dumplings, fish, spring rolls, nian gao (glutinous rice cake), and various other symbolic foods.
• 饺子 (jiǎozi) - Dumplings
• 鱼 (yú) - Fish
• 春卷 (chūn juǎn) - Spring rolls
• 年糕 (niángāo) - Niangao (New Year cake)
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元
yuán
宵
xiāo
节
jié
- Lantern Festival:
The Lantern Festival is linked to the Chinese New Year celebration. It originated over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. Lanterns are lit to symbolize the pursuit of brightness and good fortune. The festival also has roots in ancient worship practices.
Date: The 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebration (usually in February or March).
Foods: Tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings), yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls), and various types of lantern-shaped snacks.
• 汤圆 (tāngyuán) - Tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings)
• 元宵 (yuánxiāo) - Yuanxiao (sweet rice dumplings)
• Various Lantern-shaped snacks
清
qīng
明
míng
节
jié
- Tomb Sweeping Festival:
Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, has a history of over 2,500 years. It's a time to honor ancestors by cleaning their tombs, making
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offerings, and participating in outdoor activities. The festival emphasizes filial piety and respect for ancestors.
Date: April 4th or 5th, depending on the lunar calendar.
Foods: Qingming snacks such as green rice balls, crispy cakes, and cold dishes to honor ancestors.
• Cold dishes
• Ancestral offerings (for tomb-sweeping)
端
duān
午
wǔ
节
jié
(jié) - Dragon Boat Festival:
The Dragon Boat Festival has a history of over 2,000 years and commemorates the death of the poet Qu Yuan. People race dragon boats, eat zongzi, and hang up pouches of herbs to ward off evil spirits. The festival also involves activities to prevent disease and evil.
Date: The 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar, typically in June.
Foods: Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), salted duck eggs, and other traditional rice-based dishes.
• 粽子 (zòngzi) - Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)
• 咸鸭蛋 (xián yādàn) - Salted duck eggs
• Rice-based dishes
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七
qī
夕
xī
节
jié
- Qixi / Double Seventh Festival:
Qixi has a history dating back over 2,000 years and is often referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day. It originated from a love story between the celestial weaver girl (Zhinü) and the cowherd (Niulang) who are allowed to meet only once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.
Date: The 7th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar, usually in August.
Foods: Fruit, especially melons, as offerings to the mythical celestial lovers, Zhinü and Niulang.
• 水果 (shuǐguǒ) - Fruits
• 面条 (miàntiáo) - Noodles
• Various romantic foods
中
zhōng
元
yuán
节
jié
- Ghost Festival:
The Ghost Festival, also known as Zhongyuan Festival, has roots in Buddhist and Taoist traditions. It is believed that the gates of the underworld open during this time, and offerings are made to appease restless spirits. The festival has a history of over 2,000 years.
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Date: The 15th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar, typically in August.
Foods: Offerings of food, fruit, and other items to appease wandering spirits.
• 祭品 (jìpǐn) - Offerings
• 冥纸钱 (míng zhǐqián) - Hell money (paper money burned as an offering)
• 特殊菜肴 (tèshū càiyáo) - Special dishes for ancestral spirits
中
zhōng
秋
qiū
节
jié
- Mid-Autumn Festival:
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a history of over 3,000 years and is associated with moon worship. It celebrates the harvest and family reunion. The famous legend of Chang'e and Hou Yi is often associated with this festival. Mooncakes are a central part of the celebration.
Date: The 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, usually in September.
Foods: Mooncakes, pomelos, and various nuts. Mooncakes are a must-have during this festival.
• 月饼 (yuèbǐng) - Mooncakes
• 柚子 (yòuzi) - Pomelos
• Various nuts and fruits
重
chóng
阳
yáng
节
jié
- Double Ninth Festival:
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The Double Ninth Festival has ancient roots and is associated with climbing high places to avoid disaster. It's a time to pay respect to the elderly, and chrysanthemums are often associated with the festival. The number "nine" is considered yang and is believed to have protective qualities.
Date: The 9th day of the 9th month in the lunar calendar, typically in October.
Foods: Chongyang cake, chrysanthemum tea, and hiking to high places are common activities.
• 重阳糕 (chóngyáng gāo) - Chongyang cake
• 菊花茶 (júhuā chá) - Chrysanthemum tea
• Foods associated with hiking and outdoor activities
冬
dōng
至
zhì
节
jié
- Winter Solstice:
The Winter Solstice has ancient origins and is based on the changing of seasons. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Traditional activities include family reunions, making and eating tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings), and honoring ancestors.
These festivals are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, combining ancient traditions, folklore, and customs that have been passed down through
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generations. They play a crucial role in promoting cultural identity, family bonds, and a connection with the changing seasons.
Date: Around December 21st, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Foods: Tangyuan, dumplings, and dishes featuring winter ingredients are often consumed to celebrate the return of longer days.
• 汤圆 (tāngyuán) - Tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings)
• 饺子 (jiǎozi) - Dumplings
• Traditional winter dishes
These festivals play significant roles in Chinese culture, and the associated foods are often symbolic, carrying special meanings and cultural significance.
