Chinese Festivals By: Amelia B., Huong D., Leah V.

Ice Festival The annual ice festival is Harbin’s main winter draw. The festival started only ten years ago and it is already one of the worlds 4 biggest festivals of ice. Harbin is called the “ice city” because its winters are bitterly cold, but the conditions are good for the ice. Now they are competition to the other 3 ice festivals. This is one of the largest ice and snow festival in the world. At first, the participants were only the Chinese, however since is become an international festival. In the ice festival, there the worlds biggest ice sculptures. At night the lights in the ice get lit up, it is so beautiful. Ice and snow world is up to 2-3 ‘ thick. The ice festival is a month-long celebration.

Ice Festival Fun

Chinese New Year What is a festival? Well it’s a celebration. Do you know The Chinese New Year? Well I’m about to tell you. The Chinese New Year is important because it’s a festival that only happens once a year. It’s also important to people in China. It’s a time for people to spend time together. Another reason why it’s so important because it’s the time to get luck When does The Chinese New Year happen? The Chinese New Year happens in about February. That means it’s in the spring. Chinese people celebrate it in the night and day. Fun facts The Chinese New Year is also called the Spring festival. Common foods that are eaten are dumplings or fish. People put red lanterns all over China for luck. Legends There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. They are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each of the animals represents a different year. The Zodiac goes in clockwise.

New Year Celebration

Dragon boat festival What is the Dragon Boat festival? The Dragon Boat festival is celebrated on the 5 th day of the 5 th month of the lunar calendar. The Dragon Boat festival also goes by the name of the Double Fifth Festival. During the festival people race in Dragon boats. A dragon boat is a human powered boat or a paddle boat. The boats usually have a special design. Dragon boat racing is a very popular tradition. Why is the Dragon Boat festival important? The Dragon Boat festival has long been marked as a traditional holiday in China. In 2008 it was first celebrated as a public holiday in China. The festival is a time for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year. The boat races during the Dragon Boat festival symbolizes attempts to rescue the patriotic poet Chu Yaun. Chu Yuan drowned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. When the Chu capital fell the Chu Yuan the poet drowned himself in the Miluo River. The local people paddled out on boats, either to scare the fish away or to retrieve Chu Yuan’s body. This is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing.

Dragon Boat Festival Part 2 Foods eaten during the Dragon Boat festival There are many traditional foods eaten during the Dragon Boat festival. Zongzi is often eaten during the Dragon Boat festival. It is a kind of sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. They are usually in the shape of a triangular pyramid. Jiandui is a kind of fried round cake made of wheat and rice flour and something to sweeten them. It is eaten on the Dragon Boat festival in Eastern China.

Lantern Festival What is the Lantern Festival? The Lantern festival is celebrated on the last day of Chinese New Year. It is usually in February or March on the Gregorian calendar. During the Lantern festival children go out to temples at night, carrying paper lanterns. Some people write riddles on the lanterns. The Lantern festival can also be called ''Yuan Xiao.'' Chinese people celebrate the festival by lighting lanterns, appreciating the full moon, setting off firecrackers, guessing riddles written on lanterns, dancing lion dances, and dragon dances, and walking on stilts. Why is the Lantern Festival Important? / Lantern Festival History The Lantern Festival became a festival of great significance in the Western Han dynasty. In the beginning of the seventh century the emperor lifted the curfew which meant people could enjoy the festival day and night. The lantern festival marks the return of spring. The Lantern festival also symbolizes the reunion of the family. The Lantern Festival has a history of over 2,000 years!

Lantern Festival Part 2 Fun Facts Lanterns are often red to symbolize good fortune. The Lantern Festival falls on the day of the first full moon of the lunisolar year. Some people solve puzzles on lanterns. Lighting lanterns is a way people pray to have a good future and wish the best for their families.

Lantern Festival

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