Traditional Chinese Cultures, Art and Customs
These are the Four Beauties of ancient China (四大美女-Sì Dà Měi Nŭ). And they are historical figures whose lives have been embellished in Chinese literature. Here’s an introduction as well as a summary of the four beauties: Xi Shi (西施) Xi Shi (西施) was born in Zhuluo Village, of Zhuji (now Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province), the…
Following the article on Customs of Mid-Autumn Festival, let us look at the Origins and Legends associated with this Chinese festival. Origin Like many festivals, the Mid-Autumn festival came to its current traditions through many years of evolution. The history of Mid-Autumn festival in China can be dated back to around 500 BC where the…
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 : zhōng qiū jié) is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar, the other being the Chinese Spring Festival (The Chinese New Year). This is because both of these festivals symbolize a time for family members and loved ones to get together to celebrate the festive season….
You have probably heard of the Chinese Lunar New Year but have you also heard about the lesser well-known Hungry Ghost Festival or otherwise known as Chinese Ghost Festival? Just as the Americans has the Halloween, the Chinese have their version of a ghost festival too. The Chinese Ghost festival is a mixed Taoist/ folklore…
In the previous article on Qi Xi Festival, the Chinese Valentine’s Day, we mentioned only briefly about its origin – a Chinese folklore or fairytale about 2 star-crossed lovers in ancient China. It also provides a romantic explanation on the formation of the Milky Way. Here is the story of ‘Cowherd and the Weaver Girl’…
Today is Qi Xi Festival (七夕節 ; qī xī jié)! Also known in recent years as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. Falling on the 7th day of the 7th month on the Chinese (Lunar) calendar, it is sometimes known as the ‘Double Seven Festival’. In Japan, it is called the ‘Tanabata Festival’. This year in 2009,…
The Dragon Boat Festival, A Chinese holiday is gaining worldwide popularity, It is also called Double Fifth Festival( Double Fifth Festival is 端午节in Mandarin) is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar. The Dragon Boat Festival dating back to the Warring States Period in 227 B.C. The festival commemorates…
Qipao is a typical traditional Chinese costume. After Nurhaci ,a great militarist and statesman, unified the Nvzhen tribes and set up the Eight Banners ,an nationality called “Manchu” was estabilshed in the early 17th century. Their people were called “Qi people” and their clothing was called “Qipao”. At first ,a qipao looks just like this:…
The Qingming Festival (traditional Chinese: 清明節; simplified Chinese: 清明节; pinyin: Qīngmíngjié, or Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong), meaning Clear and Bright Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar. Its name…
