Other Moon Festival Legends
According to another legend, on this day the “Man in the Moon” was spotted at an inn, carrying a writing tablet. When questioned, he said he was recording the names of all the happy couples who were fated to marry and live happily forever after. Accordingly, just as June is the traditional month for exchanging nuptials in the west, many Chinese weddings are held during the eighth lunar month, with the fifteenth day being the most popular.

Of course, the most famous legend surrounding the Moon festival concerns its possible role in Chinese history. Overrun by the Mongols in the thirteenth century, the Chinese threw off their oppressors in 1368 AD. It is said that mooncakes – which the Mongols did not eat – were the perfect vehicle for hiding and passing along plans for the rebellion. Families were instructed not to eat the mooncakes until the day of the moon festival, which is when the rebellion took place. (In another version plans were passed along in mooncakes over several years of Mid-Autumn festivals, but the basic idea is the same).

How to Celebrate the Moon Festival

Today, Chinese people celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival with dances, feasting and moon gazing. Not to mention mooncakes. While baked goods are a common feature at most Chinese celebrations, mooncakes are inextricably linked with the Moon festival. One type of traditional mooncake is filled with lotus seed paste (see side photo). Roughly the size of a human palm, these mooncakes are quite filling, meant to be cut diagonally in quarters and passed around. This explains their rather steep price (around $5.00 in Canada). A word of caution: the salty yolk in the middle, representing the full moon, is an acquired taste.

More elaborate versions of mooncakes contain four egg yolks (representing the four phases of the moon). Besides lotus seed paste, other traditional fillings include red bean paste and black bean paste. Unfortunately for dieters, mooncakes are rather high in calories.

While in the past mooncakes took up to four weeks to make, automation has speeded up the process considerably. Today, mooncakes may be filled with everything from dates, nuts, and fruit to Chinese sausages. More exotic creations include green tea mooncakes, and ping pei or snowskin mooncakes, a Southeast Asian variation made with cooked glutinous rice flour. Haagen-Daz has even gotten into the act by introducing a line of ice cream mooncakes in Asian markets.

Given the difficulty of making them, most people prefer to purchase their mooncakes instead of making them. You’ll find them at Asian bakeries beginning around mid-August.

No related posts.

In the end, I think we would have been a bit bored had we gone. While impressive with shear numbers and regiments of military units and tanks and all kinds of equipment I haven’t a clue what they are, I was expecting more of a spectacle along the lines of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. But it was a very serious affair with bigwigs like Mr. Hu Jintao and Mr. Jiang Zemin not cracking a smile.

Luckily, with the help of weather meddling, Beijing had a sunny day. Shanghai was not so lucky. But it has cleared out today so my son and I are going off to buy some mooncakes on Fuzhou Road. Maybe we’ll get to see the full moon tomorrow during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

From my ring-side seat on my couch in Shanghai (commoners weren’t invited to the parade, only dignitaries and a few on the VIP list), my family watched the pomp and circumstance of China’s 60th anniversary celebration. The People’s Republic was founded on October 1, 1949.

Tian’anmen Gate (fronting the Forbidden City) before the parade began

A view of Tian’anmen Square and the Great Hall of the People before the parade

Hu Jintao heads off from Tian’anmen Gate to inspect the troops for the parade

The honor guard heads to the flag pole

A ladies’ regiment marches along the parade route

Soldiers march during the parade

No related posts.

Here I find some good suggestions:
You can avoid the biggest crowds by visiting places first thing in the morning, the earlier the better. I would suggest an early breakfast then head straight to the site, arriving by 8am or even earlier if possible (check opening times). In the middle of the lunch hour is sometimes not too bad either, though I wouldn’t count on it. Otherwise, you just have to accept that crowds are part of the scene in Beijing (and other popular cities in China), and sure it’ll be crowded on the holiday.

No related posts.

We learned from another hotel that the whole area around TianAnMen is likely to be restricted during this time, and without tickets (only given by the government, basically impossible), that you can’t even get into the neighboring streets. I don’t know for sure, though. We couldn’t book a hotel located even a few blocks away, as they said that we wouldn’t be allowed to reach the hotel on Oct.1st, though if we arrived a day or two earlier then we could stay.

No related posts.

One of the most important Chinese festivals is the Mid-Autumn Festival.It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.But one traditional custom, eating the mooncakes–cakes shaped like the moon, has definitely remained and is shared by all the Chinese.

Different Celebrated Forms

Mid-autumn festival For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the
vicissitudes of life to changes of the moon as it waxes and wanes; joy and sorrow,
parting and reunion. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day. Those who can not return home watch the bright moonlight and feel deep longing for their loved ones.
Today,festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special perfomances in parks or on public squares.
People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of differently shaped lanterns are lit, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.
In East Chia’s Zhejiang Province, watching the flood tide of the Qian-tang River
during the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a must for local peple, but also an
attraction for those from other parts of the country. The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exerts a strong gravitational pull. In mid autumn, the sun, earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas. The outh of the Qiantang River is shaped lik a bugle. So the flood tide which forms at the narrow mouth is particularly impressive. Spectators crowd on the river bank,watching the roaring waves. At its peak, the tide rises as high as three and a half meters.

No related posts.

China’s most famous pig is Zhu Bajie, a supernatural character in the classical novel Journey to the West. Zhu Bajie, along with the monkey spirit Sun Wukong and their other companions, is a member of the company that escorts the monk Tang Seng on his journey to India to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures. Although he appears to be gluttonous, lazy, and lecherous, in reality Zhu Bajie is extremely kindhearted and honest, and is greatly loved by the Chinese people.

Characteristics of Pig

People born in the Year of the Pig are optimists by nature. They have good luck with money, and can make a living relatively effortlessly. People born in the Year of the Pig are honest and upright. They are extremely generous with their friends, and don’t haggle over pennies. Women born in the Year of the Pig are ideal domestic partners, and are very good at managing their households. Pig corresponds to Pisces in the Western zodiac.

People born in the Year of the Pig are very kindhearted, but due to their overly trusting nature they can easily be deceived. They love ease and pleasure, and can be lazy and unmotivated.

Perpetual Calendar for the Year of the Pig

People whose birthdays fall during the following periods are born in the Year of the Pig:

February 16, 1923 – February 04, 1924
February 04, 1935 – January 23, 1936
January 22, 1947 – February 09, 1948
February 08, 1959 – January 27, 1960
January 27, 1971 – February 14, 1972
February 13, 1983 – February 01, 1984
January 31, 1995 – February 18, 1996
January 18, 2007 – February 06, 2008

The first date indicates Lunar New Year’s Day. The second date indicates the last day of the lunar year.

No related posts.

In ancient times, an eclipse of the moon was thought to occur when Celestial Dog, a demon who lived on the moon, swallowed the moon. People would turn out to bang gongs and beat drums to intimidate Celestial Dog into spitting out the moon.

Characteristics of Dog

The characteristics attributed to Dog are identical to those of Aries in the Western zodiac. Dogs are humankind’s most faithful friend. People born in the Year of the Dog are very strong-willed, and will stick to their guns as long as they believe they are right. They are extremely loyal in friendship and love, and would rather suffer themselves than hurt others. They will not engage in dishonorable actions for their own benefit.

People born in the Year of the Dog tend to emotional highs and lows, and are easily upset. They also can be overly critical of others.

Perpetual Calendar for the Year of the Dog

People whose birthdays fall during the following periods are born in the Year of the Dog:

January 28, 1922 – February 15, 1923
February 14, 1934 – February 03, 1935
February 02, 1946 – January 21, 1947
February 18, 1958 – February 07, 1959
February 06, 1970 – January 26, 1971
January 25, 1982 – February 12, 1983
February 10, 1994 – January 30, 1995
January 29, 2006 – February 17, 2007

The first date indicates Lunar New Year’s Day. The second date indicates the last day of the lunar year.

No related posts.

In the past, when a letter had to be delivered at top speed, it was customary to attach up to three chicken feathers to the envelope. The more feathers were attached, the more important the message. As a result, urgent missives came to be known as “chicken feather letters.”
Characteristics of Rooster

People born in the Year of the Rooster enjoy dressing up, especially in unusual styles, and have a unique sense of color. They are excellent debaters, and are extremely persuasive. They say what they think without holding anything back, and are very good at communicating. People born in the Year of the Rooster are highly disciplined and responsible, and dislike slackers. Rooster corresponds to Taurus in the Western zodiac.

People born in the Year of the Rooster are rather anxious by nature. The moment they are dissatisfied about something, they blurt it out, often disregarding the impact on others. This lack of discretion is their greatest social failing. They also need to guard against a tendency to be conceited.

Perpetual Calendar for the Year of the Rooster

People whose birthdays fall during the following periods are born in the Year of the Rooster:

February 08, 1921 – January 27, 1922
January 26, 1933 – February 13, 1934
February 13, 1945 – February 01, 1946
January 31, 1957 – February 17, 1958
February 17, 1969 – February 05, 1970
February 05, 1981 – January 24, 1982
January 23, 1993 – February 09, 1994
February 09, 2005 – January 28, 2006
January 28, 2017 – February 15, 2018

The first date indicates Lunar New Year’s Day. The second date indicates the last day of the lunar year.

No related posts.

An old story relates that Ye Gao was a high official who loved dragons. His clothing and home were all decorated with images of dragons. The Heavenly Dragon heard about this and came to pay Ye Gao a visit, but faced with an actual dragon, Ye was terrified and fled. As a result, the saying “Lord Ye loves dragons” is used to describe someone who insincerely professes affection for something. Another saying, “Dotting the eyes on a painted dragon,” refers to providing the finishing touch to a work of art or literature, and thus bringing it to life.

Dragon comes fifth in the Chinese zodiac.

Characteristics of Dragon

Dragon is the only animal in the Chinese zodiac that does not exist in the natural world. Dragon corresponds to Libra in the Western zodiac. People born in the Year of the Dragon are physically vigorous and full of energy. They are highly ambitious, and do not easily admit defeat. Their intense sense of self leads them to strive for perfection in all things and to be quite concerned with their public image.

Due to their constant pursuit of perfection, people born in the Year of the Dragon may be rather irascible. They expect a lot from others, and tend to be intolerant. They are easily frustrated and lacking in tenacity, and prefer to retreat rather than risk failure.
Perpetual Calendar for the Year of the Dragon

People whose birthdays fall during the following periods are born in the Year of the Dragon:

February 03, 1916 – January 22, 1917
January 23, 1928 – February 09, 1929
February 08, 1940 – January 26, 1941
January 27, 1952 – February 13, 1953
February 13, 1964 – February 01, 1965
January 31, 1976 – February 17, 1977
February 17, 1988 – February 05, 1989
February 05, 2000 – January 23, 2001
January 23, 2012 – February 09, 2013

The first date indicates Lunar New Year’s Day. The second date indicates the last day of the lunar year.

No related posts.

to steal some oil and couldn’t get down

It squeaked for its grandma

But she wouldn’t come

So down it fell, clattering all the way

The lively and loveable mouse in this Beijing nursery rhyme is a great favorite of Chinese children. It is said that every year around the Lunar New Year, the mice send their daughters off to get married. A traditional New Year’s painting from Sichuan Province, “Mouse Takes a Wife,” shows a great wedding procession of mice banging gongs and hitting drums. The mouse bride rides in a traditional bridal sedan chair, while the mouse groom sits astride a toad, decked out in red and green finery with a big smile on his face. A crowd of excited mouse friends surrounds them, cheering and hugging each other and adding their delight to the festive New Year’s occasion.

The characteristic behavior and appearance of mice and rats have given rise to many expressive Chinese idioms. The belief that mice have poor eyesight is the basis of the expression “A mouse can’t see past its whiskers,” describing a person with a limited outlook. “Rat belly, chicken guts” is a metaphor for someone who is intolerant and narrow-minded. Imagine the discomfort of a rat stuck inside a bellows, buffeted by air being sucked in from one end and expelled out the other. People who have to resolve conflicting complaints often refer to this image, wryly saying that they are “Trapped like a rat in a bellows, catching flak from both ends.”
It can be seen that Rat, although first in the Chinese zodiac, can be an object of scorn as well as admiration.
Characteristics of Rat

The characteristics attributed to Rat are similar to those of Aquarius in the Western zodiac. Rats are sensitive, resourceful, and adaptable. People born in the Year of the Rat are kind, curious, and quick-witted by nature. They are good at seizing opportunity and can easily master a wide range of subjects. These qualities, along with their innate optimism, make them very lovable. Women born in the Year of the Rat are very clean and neat, and create meticulously organized domestic environments.

However, people born in the Year of the Rat also tend to be rather timid and lacking in leadership qualities. They generally do not have the forcefulness to serve as authority figures.

Perpetual Calendar for the Year of the Rat

People whose birthdays fall during the following periods are born in the Year of the Rat:

February 05, 1924 – January 23, 1925
January 24, 1936 – February 10, 1937
February 10, 1948 – January 28, 1949
January 28, 1960 – February 14, 1961
February 15, 1972 – February 02, 1973
February 02, 1984 – February 19, 1985
February 19, 1996 – February 06, 1997
February 07, 2008 – January 25, 2009

The first date indicates Lunar New Year’s Day. The second date indicates the last day of the lunar year.

No related posts.