CHINESE CELEBRATIONS

CHINESE NEW YEAR

• Falls between 21 January and 20 February
• Foods- long noodles, mandarin oranges, chicken, fish, and more
• Dragon and Lion Dances are believed to evict bad spirits
• Red- emblem of joy
• Lantern- used on the 15th day of the New Year

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

• The three fundamental concepts- gathering, thanksgiving, and praying
• During the celebration they do dragon and lion dances and burn incense
• Colorful lanterns- some write riddles on them, some release them into the sky, some carry them
• Making and sharing moon cakes is a well practiced tradition
• Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month
• Drinks- most drink the cassia wine

LABA FESTIVAL

• 8th day of the 12th lunar moon
• Celebrates the new harvest
• Laba garlic and laba congee

WINTER SOLSTICE

• Celebrations- dancing, singing, feasting, etc.
• Between December 21-23
• Food- tangyuan
• Gatherings at ancestor temples

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

• 5th day of the 5th lunar moon
• Consists of dragon boat racing
• Food- zongzi and xionghuangiji
• Activities- hanging an egg at noon while drinking realgar wine