Comparison between China Festival and Western Festival

China and the West are geographically far apart and have different cultures. Westerners think that China culture is ancient and mysterious, while China people think that western culture is novel and avant-garde. Every country in the world has its own festival. There are some similarities between festivals in China and the West, such as special historical events in the background, or they were set up to commemorate someone. However, the cultural differences between the two sides are still greater than the similarities. The following are the main differences between Chinese and western festival cultures:

First, the differences in the origin of Chinese and Western traditional festivals

China is an ancient oriental civilization. Its long history and fine traditions provide fertile soil for the growth of traditional festivals. As an agricultural country, China culture is deeply rooted in agriculture, so agricultural activities make festivals more local. For example, the Spring Festival is closely related to some agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting. On the other hand, the formation of traditional festivals is a process of long-term accumulation and cohesion of national or national history and culture.

The main traditional festivals in China are all transformed from the New Year's season, with a strong agricultural color, while the origin of western traditional festivals has a strong religious color. In western countries, religion is the center of culture and society. People's thoughts can be reflected through religion. At the same time, religion controls people through their belief in God or spirit. Because the European continent is influenced by Christian civilization, almost all the most influential traditional festivals in the West are related to Christianity. It is no exaggeration to say that religion exists in all walks of life.

Second, the differences between Chinese and western traditional festivals.

China is a country of etiquette. Coupled with the long-term influence of Confucianism, our festivals pay special attention to ceremonies, such as Tomb-Sweeping Day's ancestor worship and Dragon Dance on the Lantern Festival, which have become our indispensable forms of celebration. On holidays, young people must worship the elderly, and the whole family will have a reunion dinner, and the whole family will celebrate together. Even during the Spring Festival, it is basically between relatives. It is inconceivable that a group of strangers get together. Even the outdoor yangko, which many people take part in, is only a performance activity, not a national carnival.

Festival activities in China emphasize the richness of content. For example, the carnival in Brazil is the most fascinating and wonderful. Every year when the carnival comes, the citizens gather in the main streets or squares designated by the city, wearing masks, drawing faces, pushing floats, or dancing samba enthusiastically to entertain themselves with the samba music played by drum teams and electronic tweeters. Men, women and children jumped up, and the whole city was full of joy.

Third, the differences between Chinese and Western traditional festival cultural values.

In China, people respect the collective and integrate individuals into the collective. They value the collective rather than individual values or individual free development. Because they inherited the collectivism of Confucianism, these festivals showed consideration for the overall situation. Westerners are completely different. They respect man and nature, emphasize personal value and pursue liberalism and individualism. Festivals in China embody the virtues and fashions of China people, respecting the old and caring for the young, and exchanging feelings. These are the fine traditions of our nation and should be carried forward. Therefore, China people have always adhered to the good customs and ethos of these China festivals. Even those who like to celebrate foreign festivals, no one wants to give up festivals in China.

Traditional festivals in the west reflect the needs of social development and the inevitability of social progress, the collectivity and participation of the whole people in human society, and adapt to the desire of people in modern society to communicate with each other, participate in groups and vent their emotions together. It broke the feudal closed form, and there was no hierarchical bondage between superiors and subordinates, old people and young people, which reflected the characteristics of equality and free self-expression of everyone.

Summary: China has a long history, so the roots of traditional festivals can be traced back to a very early period. At that time, the social culture was completely different and not as advanced as it is now, so some traditional festivals are too old-fashioned for us now. The history of the west is relatively short, and their festivals are closer to the present, so they are naturally more advanced and open.