发信人: fredrink(弗雷德里克)
整理人: roy_young(2002-02-11 12:01:12), 站内信件
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The Chinese people have a long history of civilization. Information about the origins of Chinese traditional festivals not only help us to understand the customs and everyday habits of the Chinese but also their rich cultural heritage. The reader will be intrigued to learn that many of the stories associated with Chinese festivals have evolved with the changes in the development of the Chinese civilization and as a consequence have become an integral part of the Chinese culture.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is the most important Chinese festival. In the course of history it has been known by other names such as Time of the Beginning (Yuan Chen), First Day (Yuan Ri), First Day of the First Month (Yuan Shuo), Beginning of the Month (Yuan Zheng) and First Morning of the Year (Yuan Dan). Now it is known as the Spring Festival (Chun Jie) in China. It is a time for reunion and also represents renewal of the spirit. In the old days the common people lived frugally and New Year's Day was one of the few days when they could feast on delicacies.
Origin of Spring Couplets
Qing Ming Festival
According to tradition, the name Qing Ming started in the Han Dynasty because the weather during the third month of the year was clear and pure. It was only during the Tang Dynasty that it became a festival. The custom of sweeping tombs then became prevalent.
The Chinese Valentine's Day
The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is the Chinese Lovers' Day or Valentine's Day. The most popular story mentioned in connection with this festival is that of the Cowherd and the Weaving Girl.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival revolves around the moon and there are many traditional stories concerning the moon. It is believed that the Mid-Autumn Festival originated more than 2,000 years ago and in the old days the festival was devoted to praying to the gods. Because China is largely an agricultural society, the 15th days of the eighth lunar month happens to occur after the autumn harvest. That day the sky is generally clear and the weather fine and the people celebrate with post-harvest feasts, signifying the principle that "the divine and the human are one". During the Song Dynasty, due to the influence of learned people, praying to the moon became widespread. The eating of mooncakes started towards the end of the Yuan Dynasty because of a folk story of that time and later the observation of the Mid-Autumn Festival became important.
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Jehoven
The lord in heaven |
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