The Development of China Festivals

China's traditional festivals probably originated in the pre-Qin period, but they were shaped in the Han Dynasty, such as New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Cold Food Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day and Double Ninth Festival. , and basically shaped in the Han Dynasty. This is not only because of the "Han inherited the Qin system", but more importantly, the unity of the country, and the soil and conditions for the stereotypes of various holiday customs have emerged in society. During Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, from Sui and Tang Dynasties to Song Dynasty, traditional festivals in China experienced variation and adjustment. The infiltration of religion, the integration of nationalities and the disorder of social psychology have brought new elements to the development of festival customs in China.

During the Tang and Song Dynasties, epoch-making changes took place. Festival life began to be closely integrated with urban life on a large scale, and unprecedented new changes took place. It is liberated from the mysterious atmosphere full of superstitions, taboos, sorrows and joys, and transformed into secularization and entertainment, becoming a "festive occasion" in the true sense of the people.

Especially in the Tang Dynasty, from the "Zhenguan rule" to the "Kaiyuan rule", the economic prosperity and cultural prosperity were by no means comparable to those of the previous dynasties. The emergence of a city with thousands of households like a chess game and twelve streets like vegetable fields amazed Europeans at that time. The development of social economy, the stability of people's life and the appearance of colorful urban life provide historical conditions for the evolution of social customs, so a prominent feature of holiday customs is the evolution to entertainment.

The noisy city life makes people seize the opportunity of traditional festivals, express their feelings and vent their depression. Setting off firecrackers on New Year's Day is no longer regarded as exorcism, but a symbol of joy and enthusiasm. Lantern Festival has become a lantern for people to visit and watch; The Mid-Autumn Festival has gradually changed from the mysterious Yue Bai to the custom of enjoying the moon. The Double Ninth Festival has become a grand gathering for chrysanthemum appreciation. Shangsi Festival was replaced by an outing; The solemn and mysterious "exorcism" ceremony has turned into a "hundred plays" and "juggling" on the street.

Festivals are frequent in city life, so people don't want to stay at home all the time, "have fun" and "be a lady like a cloud"; A large number of sports and entertainment activities appeared in festivals in the Tang Dynasty. The image of God is also changing. The Weaver Girl became the embodiment of truth, goodness and beauty, and the fierce ghost catcher gave way to two great generals in the Tang Dynasty-in that era full of bold and unrestrained sentiment, the people pursued rich life interests and showed a little novelty in the dull life.

Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the festival customs in China have entered a relatively stable development stage. Today, the festival customs that constantly run in China's social life were basically shaped in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

However, the changes in bones are much deeper and faster. Especially after the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, due to the arrival of western Jesuits from the East, new ideas germinated rapidly and the atmosphere changed. This sudden change in atmosphere is actually the money worship and lust caused by the prosperity of urban commerce and the germination of capitalism. At the age of 20, festivals quickly developed into entertainment. No matter high officials or vendors, they are always infected by the festive atmosphere, which makes people forget to return.

Lantern Festival fireworks for ten nights, the dragon boat race remains the same. As for the lion dance, dry boat yangko, acrobatics and sports activities during the festival, there are more than before. The prosperity of temple fairs and grand entertainment and carnival activities have become the new highlights of social festivals and customs in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Temple fairs and carnivals have greatly broadened people's horizons. In particular, women who are locked in the boudoir of the deep house and embroidered building on weekdays can only go out, attend gatherings and watch plays during temple fairs and social activities, which plays an important role in expanding women's social communication and personality freedom.