Moon Festivals

Moon Festivals happen every month in China.

Overview

Every month different festivals are celebrated in China. The chronology of seasons they celebrate might seem a bit out of pace with Western tradition. They are. The Chinese celebrate the coming of the New Year with the coming of Spring, not with January 1st. While every festival has a different subject, they all generate Yugen.

These festivals are not one time deals. Every month (moon) has several days that are celebrated. An I Chih targeting a dog will work better on the second day of the first moon than later in the month.

The Moons

• First Moon - The New Year festival of Spring
• Second Moon - Celebrates the birthdays of many important gods
• Third Moon - A fertility festival
• Fourth Moon - The beginning of summer
• Fifth Moon - Dragon Boat festival
• Sixth Moon - Celebrates the rainy season and the Dragon King
• Seventh Moon - October festival celebrating the Hungry Ghosts
• Eighth Moon - Harvest Moon celebration
• Ninth Moon - Kite Festival
• Tenth Moon - Celebration of the Ancestors
• Eleventh Moon - A time for weddings
• Twelfth Moon - A time to prepare for the New Year

References

1. CTD. Land of Eight Million Dreams, pp. 45-46.