The most important part of China's cultural heritage is the holidays. On the dates of their celebration, the population receives a day off, for large and important celebrations - from 3 to 7 days. All this time, there has been a stir in the country, as the Chinese are trying to spend holidays outside the walls of their home.
General information
Work week in China lasts 5 days. The official rest days are Saturday and Sunday. But the holidays are divided into 2 categories:
- borrowed (Gregorian calendar) - are marked on established days;
- according to the lunar calendar - the dates of the celebrations are determined by the phase of the moon.
That is why in China, on national holidays, weekends change from year to year. To find out, for example, what date the New Year is in China, you need to clarify the lunar cycle.
Official celebrations
The weekends and holidays established by the authorities in China fall on the following holidays:
- On January 1, the Chinese do not perceive the New Year (according to generally recognized rules) as a holiday. But they are loyal to him, because they don’t go to work that day.
- The day of formation of China is celebrated on October 1. On this day in 1949, the main news for the country was announced on Beijing Square. The population honors this date and celebrates the holiday for a week.
- Labor Day May 1 is marked one weekend. On this day, people prefer to walk in the park, dance and sing songs.
Traditional holidays
Legally approved and the main national holidays. Weekends in China for some dates are provided for longer than for formal events.
Memorial Day (Qingming) usually falls on the first April decade. People for the holiday decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and burning candles. Collective events are being held to lay wreaths at the monuments of great people. Also, the Chinese go out of town for a walk. Therefore, the second name of the holiday is translated as "Day walk on the first grass."
Duan-wu or the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the fifth lunar month. Therefore, it is also called the "festival of two fives." The celebration is held in honor of the ancient poet and politician, whose body people searched on boats and threw rice into the water to appease the spirits. On this day, the Chinese arrange boating and treat each other with pies with sweet, spicy or salty rice. The day off is given in the amount of one day.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in September-October, and it symbolizes half of the past year and the end of the harvest. This day is always the full moon, so the celebration is associated with honors to the moon goddess. Treats are gingerbread cookies with filling and the image of hieroglyphs with wishes. The holiday is considered to be right to spend with the family.
Chinese New Year
And yet, what date is New Year in China? The answer to this question lies in the lunar phases. Chun Jie is celebrated from January 21 to February 21 and translates as "Spring Festival."
The Chinese celebrate New Year with an abundance of fireworks and crackers - noise scares away evil spirits. Mandatory on the table are Jiaozi - a kind of dumplings that bring good luck. On the second day, there should be noodles so that life is as long as it is, and the year is smooth. All New Year’s clothes are brand new so that happiness comes in the coming year.
A traditional gift is an envelope with red money - hunbao. You can give fruits, sweets, eggs. At this time, various costume festivals are held on the streets of the country.
On New Year's day, weekends in China are 7 days. But people celebrate at least 2 weeks. This is due to the fact that the end of the main holiday also marks a separate celebration - the festival of lanterns, which are launched into the sky in the evening by hundreds. Flying is a symbol of the departure of souls of relatives celebrating the New Year. In addition to flashlights, the main attribute are balls filled with rice flour - Tang Yuen.
Interesting celebrations
There are many holidays in the country, which are not marked by weekends, but are celebrated with no less scope and fun. These include:
- The festival of the winter solstice (December 21-23) symbolizes the awakening of nature and the onset of cold weather.
- Double Nine Day (October). The double digit "9" is considered a positive number, which is why the Chinese believe that this day brings happiness.
- Bachelor's Day - November 11, is celebrated by unmarried people. It is considered symbolic on this day to make relationships and make new acquaintances.
- Planting Day - March 12. The holiday was formed in connection with the 1981 decree, which obliged every resident of the country to plant at least three trees per year. People go out on subbotniks that day.
There are no official weekends in China for these celebrations.
Holidays are the historical heritage of China. They are unique in their traditions and ways of conducting and are distinguished by a bright national flavor. Weekends in China, associated with important dates for the country, give people the opportunity not only to relax, but also to spend their free time to the benefit of moral development. As a result of this, spiritual unity occurs and efficiency increases.