(3) Earth God Day
The 2nd day of the 2nd month on the Chinese calendar is set aside to worship earth deities. People lay out special offerings to the gods in their local shrines, and Taoist temples hold more elaborate celebrations.
(4) Dragon Boat Festival
This summertime festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Naturally, it is most famous for the racing of the dragon boats. According to tradition, in 221 BC, the great poet Chu Yuan drowned himself, and people close by rushed in their boats to save him, to no avail. Afterward, they tried to throw rice to the fish, so that they would not feed on his remains. Ever since, boat races have been held in his honor, and everyone dines on tsung tse, dumplings made of sticky rice and wrapped in leaves of bamboo.
(5) Ghost Month
The seventh month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls around August, is a time when the gates of the underworld are swung open, and the spirits are set free to roam the earth. In every street and alley, people burn spirit money to make the wandering ghosts happy, and make special offerings to their own departed kin.
On the 15th day of the month (the full moon), tables are placed out in the streets and laden with food and beverages, enough to satisfy all the unspecified spirits (called "good brothers") in the neighborhood, while temples hold elaborate rituals.
Throughout the whole month, most Chinese refuse to go near water for fear of water spirits. Those foolish enough not to believe in ghosts might find it an opportune time to hit the beach.
(6) Mid-Autumn Festival
Perhaps the most romantic festival in Chinese culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is dedicated to the poetic beauty of the moon. Held on the full moon of the eighth month, it is celebrated by outdoor gatherings in the countryside, on mountain tops, or wherever a good view of the night sky is to be had. The festival's traditional snack is the sweet - and perfectly round - pastry called the "moon cake." Outdoor barbecues have also become recent popular additions to the ritual. Fireworks are naturally one part of the occasion too.
Editor:Zhao Yanchen
