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By Canela
China is rich in tradition and culture. As we arrive into the Autumn season, let’s highlight a few of the festivities celebrated in China during this season.
Chinese Calendar
The dates of many festivities in China (and in other Asian countries) are decided by the traditional Chinese calendar. It is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on both the moon cycle (the moon’s orbit around the Earth) and the solar cycle (the Earth’s orbit around the sun). This causes the calendar to have a leap month (闰月rùn yuè) every couple of years.
The international calendar that most are familiar with is the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar. Although the Gregorian calendar is used in China, the traditional calendar is widely used to mark festivities, seasons, and zodiacs.
The Chinese calendar is called 农历 (nóng lì) which translates to “agricultural calendar”. This traces back to its roots in ancient China when it was used to guide agricultural harvests and planting.
Ghost Month
The 7th month on the Chinese Calendar (around August on the Gregorian calendar) is known as the ‘Ghost Month.’ It is believed that the gates of Hell (and Heaven) are opened for the deceased’s ghosts to wander into the human world. While some seek entertainment, others chase after enemies or simply cause trouble out of malice. Thus, many take steps to protect themselves from attacks by pleasing ghosts through food and festivities.
1st Day of the Month
On the first day, joss paper, or ‘golden money,’ and incense is burned while food is provided as an offering to ghosts.
Hungry Ghost Festival
Known as Zhongyuan (中元节) or Yulanpen (盂兰盆), the Ghost Festival is held on the 14th or 15th night of the 7th month (around August on the Gregorian calendar). Throughout the day, incense is burned and food is prepared three times that day. At dusk, incense, ancestral tablets, and photographs are placed on a table, while food is left out for deceased ancestors. A feast is held between a family, and a seat may be set apart for a deceased person.
Last Day of the Month
On the last day, more spirit money is burned so ghosts can use it in the afterlife. Furthermore, river lanterns with the deceased’s names are floated into rivers to guide ghosts.
Qixi Festival
The Qixi Festival (七夕节 Qīxījié) celebrates love on the 7th day of the 7th month (around July or August). This romantic day symbolizes a strong, eternal love that stems from the legend of Chinese folklore deities, Zhinü and Niulang. Zhinü, a weaver in the heavens, fell in love with a cattleman, Niulang, despite laws prohibiting so. As such, they were separated and Zhinü was forced to weave heavenly clouds daily. However, they managed to meet once again on Earth and even had two children. When discovered, they were separated again, but because of their everlasting love, magpies were touched into forming a bridge so the lovers could meet once a year. Thus, magpies and magpie bridges have become a symbol of unwavering romantic love.
Singles’ Day/Double 11
Although Singles’ Day is not based on the traditional Chinese calendar, singles’ deserve a day. Specifically, November 11 (11/11) (so many ones…), after the romantic Qixi Festival.
However, it is more of a large commercial holiday than a traditional one. On this day, many retail stores offer discounts and perks that millions of consumers take advantage of.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Known as Zhōngqiū jié (中秋节), the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the moon on the 15th day of the 8th month (around September on the Gregorian calendar), which is the day it appears the fullest.
While this stems from the ancient Chinese Emperor's appreciation of the moon during autumn for thousands of years, there is also a legend tied to the celebration.
After taking and consuming her husband’s immortality extract, Chang’e, a Chinese goddess, flees to the moon. Distraught and heartbroken, her husband begins to offer her sacrifices every year when the moon is brightest.
Another version of this legend tells that Chang’e and her husband, Huoyi, secured the immortality elixir in secrecy. They did not consume it because they only possessed one. One day, Pengmeng, Huoyi’s disciple, discovered the location of the elixir and threatened Chang’e to give it to him. Chang’e refused and fled to the moon along with the elixir in haste.
The importance of the moon in this celebration also spread to the food eaten during it. Mooncakes (月饼 Yuèbǐng), round pastries filled with different flavors of lotus pastes, are widely gifted among friends and families. As they celebrate the moon and most importantly, unity, families get together and gift each other tea, fruit, and osmanthus wine. Throughout China and Hong Kong, families can also enjoy the entertainment of carnivals. However, when families aren’t able to be together, the moon transforms into a symbol of homesickness.
Chongyang Festival/Double Ninth
The Chongyang festival takes place on the 9th day of the 9th month (around October). The repetition of the number ‘9’ is believed to be very fortunate. The number 9 is believed to be “yang,” or positive, hence the celebration of a ‘double yang.’
A popular way to celebrate the Double Ninth is by using Chrysanthemum flowers, which bloom as the cold weather approaches. People delight in Chrysanthemum flowers by wearing them or drinking Chrysanthemum liquor, as the flowers represent longevity and good health before winter.
“Flower cake,” or double ninth cake, made of flour with chestnuts, pine nuts, and ginkgo seeds, is also eaten or given to friends and family as they spend time together during this celebration.
Another way families and friends spend time together is by sightseeing. In particular, climbing mountains is especially popular during this celebration. The weather is known for being rather pleasant with clear skies. Furthermore, climbing mountains represent a “climb” in life or longevity.
About Canela
As a Zapotec Mexican-American, Canela is always on the lookout for the complexities of the unique experiences of those in cultures around the world. She is passionate about the use of language, rhetoric, and media to let people’s voices about challenges in their community be heard. As an avid student, she has no time to participate in her hobbies of design and video games.