44.Chinese Seasonal Festivals Autumn Every year in September or October,Chinese people all over the world celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.On this day,the moon looks biggest and brightest.People like to gather together at night to admire the moon. The Mid-Autumn Festival is important because it is special for family.It is also a day for special food like moon cakes.There are all kinds of moon cakes.Traditional moon cakes are usually made from bean paste,but now,there are many different kinds of moon cakes including fruit,coffee,chocolate and even ice-cream moon cakes. Winter The Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar(農歷) month.It marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. There are many stories about how the Lantern Festival started.In one story,people lit lanterns to celebrate the power of light over darkness.In another story,a town was almost destroyed(被摧毀) but the light from many lanterns saved it.The story was about a god who wanted to burn down the town.When he saw thousands of lanterns,he thought he had burned down the whole town. In the past,people put candles into lanterns with pictures of birds,animals and flowers,etc.Now,most lanterns use light bulbs and batteries,and they come in many shapes and sizes.In the north-eastern part of China,there are even ice-lanterns. The special food for the Lantern Festival is the sweet dumpling.Many people eat sweet dumplings as a tradition. Summer The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year.As it is in early summer,it marks the beginning of the hottest season of the year. The tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival started more than 2,000 years ago.In the old days,only Chinese people organized dragon boat races.However,in recent years,people from other cultures also take part in races and enjoy the fun. There is a special food for the festival.It is called Zongzi,which is sticky rice in fresh bamboo leaves.
Chinese Seasonal Festivals
(1)
of festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
(2)
Festival
Dragon Boat Festival
Date/Month
15thday of 8th lunar month
15th day of 1st lunar month
5th day of(3)
lunar month
(4)
Food
Moon cakes are eaten.
Sweet(5)
are eaten.
Zongzi is served.
Special(6)
Evening get-togethers are held.People watch moon.
People put candles in lanterns and drew pictures.There're even ice-lanterns exhibition.