Introduction
Chinese traditional festivals are an essential part and carrier of the long history and culture of the the Chinese nation is rich in a variety of forms and contents. The origin of traditional Chinese festivals is the process of long-term accumulation and cohesion of a country or nation’s culture. The traditional festival culture created and inherited by the working people of China over the generations vividly demonstrates the spiritual world of the general public.
During this long period, various national festivals were born: Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Tanabata Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and so on.
Learning Outcome
After studying this topic, learners will demonstrate mastery of：
- The origin of Chinese mythology is the story of historical events.
- The Chinese understanding of faith and religion.
- About the origin of rituals and humanistic weather.
Learning Content
About the origin of traditional Chinese festivals, we need to know a few things:
- Introduction to and origin of traditional Chinese festivals (stories of some of them)
- The details can be found in the first resource in the bibliography, which explains in great detail the origin of each important festival in China, or mythological stories or the commemoration of great people, all of which can feel the passion for life and cultural heritage of the Chinese people for 5000 years( Xu, Chen, Xu,2018)
- Understanding the religious beliefs of the Chinese people
- You can watch this video to find out.
With some understanding of the subject, we can understand a few points.
1. The origin of Chinese mythology is the story of historical events.
The origin of Chinese mythology can be traced back to many historical stories, such as the story of the Nian Beast during the Chinese New Year, and the story of Qu Yuan during the Dragon Boat Festival. （Qiao, 2018)
2. The Chinese understanding of faith and religion.
Chinese people’s concept of belief and religion may not be that deep. Because China is a multi-religious country. The Chinese people can freely choose their beliefs and religious identities.( Xiao, 2017)
3. About the origin of rituals and humanistic weather.
The opinion on humanistic weather should be the culture of 24 solar terms. The 24 solar terms represent what time of year.
Here I put a video link for you to understand 24 solar terms culture.
Task:
All learners are required to write a short essay of 250 to 300 words with their knowledge and understanding of the topic. This section accounts for thirty percent of grading for this sub-topic. We hope that learners will take it seriously.
Email me after writing the article, before the deadline.
Students can use software like Google Docs to help them with their assignments and email me with any questions.
Grading: Please refer to the rubric at the end on how the instructor will grade your work.
Reference:
Qiao, Qiao. 我是中国节（中法对照）I’m Chinese Festival（French Chinese edition）, China Intercontinental Press, 2018. ProQuest Ebook, Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/lib/uvic/detail.action?docID=5621440.Accessed 27 May 2022.
Xiao, Fang, et al. “The Predicament, Revitalization, and Future of Traditional Chinese Festivals.”, Western folklore, vol. 76, no. 2, 2017, pp. 181–96. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44790971. Accessed 27 May 2022.
Xu, G., Chen, Y., Xu, L. (2018). Traditional Festivals. In: Xu, G., Chen, Y., Xu, L. (eds) Introduction to Chinese Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1007/978-981-10-8156-9_10.Accessed 27 May 2022.
Zhuo, X., 2022. EZProxy – Electronic Resource Login. [online] Link-springer-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca. Available at: <https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/book/10.1007/978-981-10-6379-4> Accessed 27 May 2022.
LI, H. A Guide to Traditional Chinese Festivals – Blog – Shen Yun Performing Arts. Shenyunperformingarts.org. Retrieved 29 May 2022, from https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/blog/view/article/e/oMhlZ6rXUf0/a-guide-to-traditional-chinese-festivals-blog.
