Festivals
SIBILEVA ANN 11A
National holidays

National holidays have played a big role in China since
ancient times. The Chinese have used the lunar
calendar for thousands of years to determine the exact
dates of national holidays.
Dengjie Lantern Festival

As soon as the New Year's Day
holiday is over, on the night of
the 15th day of the first moon
another merry and solemn
holiday, the Dengjie Lantern
Festival, begins.

At night, during this festival, all
of China is flooded with the
lights of colorful lanterns. The
more skillful the lantern is, the
higher the prestige of the family
who displays it.
Dengjie Lantern Festival

The name of the festival
consists of three words: "yuan,"
meaning "first, initial"; "xiao«
means "night," and "Jie," "feast."

It is popularly believed that this
is the day when real spring
begins.
Dengjie Lantern Festival

The main symbol of the Lantern Festival is the tiger, because with the
beginning of spring

the sun moves into the western constellation of the "lunar zodiac,"
called the White Tiger
Dengjie Lantern Festival

Chinese lantern day traditions
1.
Yanghe dance
2.
Dragon Dance
3.
Lion Dance
4.
Red Lanterns
Dengjie Lantern Festival

An interesting tradition that
dates back to the Song
dynasty was the riddles written
on Chinese lanterns.

Riddles are usually written in
verse form and most often
follow the same pattern: riddle
-> clue word -> answer.
Festival Riddles

The first riddle.

The brothers sit around a
pole, but as soon as
they separate, their
clothes tear.

Hint: An object.
Festival Riddles

The second riddle.

The building with
the most history.

Hint: An object.
Festival Riddles

Answers to riddles
1.
Garlic
2.
Library