Taiwan Celebrations And Festivals
Exploring Taiwan's Rich Cultural Events
Taiwan boasts a vibrant cultural history, attracting tourists from around the world to its numerous celebrations and events held throughout the year. Let's dive into some of the most popular events in Taiwan.
The Pingxi Lantern Festival
It is a highlight of Taiwan's annual cultural calendar. This enchanting event is part of the larger Taiwan Lantern Festival and coincides with the Spring Lantern Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Originating in the early 19th century, the Pingxi Lantern Festival began as a New Year's celebration. People would release sky lanterns to send their prayers and well wishes up to their ancestors, hoping for a prosperous and happy New Year. Today, the festival continues to mesmerize visitors with thousands of glowing lanterns lighting up the night sky, creating a breathtaking and memorable experience.
The Enchanting Pingxi Lantern Festival
The Pingxi Lantern Festival, now centralized in the Pingxi area, carries deep reflections on life and hopes for the future. Recognized as one of the biggest New Year celebrations worldwide by the Discovery Channel, this event is truly special.
Each year, the festival adopts a theme based on the Chinese zodiac symbol for that New Year. The main lantern reflects this theme, while smaller lanterns released by children, families, and tourists also align with it. This beautiful event is cherished by locals seeking blessings for various reasons and captivates visitors with its stunning display of glowing lanterns lighting up the night sky.
SkyLantern Festival
Sky lanterns, made by hand with rice paper, thin bamboo strips, and wire, are powered into the sky by kerosene-soaked papers. Each lantern carries the prayers and wishes of the person releasing it. At the Pingxi Lantern Festival, tourists can either buy a premade lantern or create their own. The sleepy town of Pingxi, with a population of around 6,000, sees up to half a million visitors during the festival.
Once lit, the lanterns rise to about 500 meters and stay afloat for up to 8 minutes. Due to the fire hazard, the festival is restricted to the Pingxi district in northern Taiwan, where higher humidity and increased rainfall reduce the risk.
The Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Zhongxia Festival, is a traditional holiday originating in China. Celebrated near the summer solstice, it commemorates loyalty and filial piety, key elements of Confucian philosophy. The festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month in the traditional Chinese calendar, which varies yearly in the Gregorian calendar. For example, it was on June 2 in 2014, June 20 in 2015, June 9 in 2016, May 30 in 2017, June 18 in 2018, and June 7 in 2019.
The most well-known story behind the festival commemorates the death of poet and minister Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) during the Zhou Dynasty. However, several variations of the holiday exist. The festival is best known for its three main activities: eating, drinking, and racing dragon boats. It's an exceptionally popular event for tourists.
The Vibrant Chinese New Year Festival
The Chinese New Year Festival is one of Taiwan's most celebrated events. This festival marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, which follows the Lunar Calendar, causing the date to vary each year. The celebration honors one of the 12 Zodiac Animals: ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, dog, rat, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, and monkey. The first six are traditional domesticated animals, while the latter six are beloved creatures.
Celebrations and Traditions
Chinese New Year usually falls between January 20 and February 20. The festival is celebrated with food, family gatherings, lucky money (given in red envelopes), and colorful costumes. Red, a symbol of good luck, dominates the festival's decorations. Festivities include lion and dragon dances, drum performances, and a spectacular array of fireworks and firecrackers.
Global Significance
Chinese New Year is the largest and most important annual festival for Chinese communities worldwide. Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, it brings families together in joyous celebration. When visiting Taiwan during this time, note that many shops and tourist attractions may close for the first day or two of the festival.
Extended Festivities
The New Year Festival in Taiwan features numerous other celebrations, such as the Pingxi Lantern Festival, the Bombarding Master Handan Festival, and the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival. Each event adds its unique flair to the overall festive atmosphere, making Taiwan an exciting place to experience the Lunar New Year.
Celebrating Taiwan's National Day
National Day, celebrated primarily in Taiwan, is a significant holiday that reflects the island's unique history and relationship with mainland China. This day commemorates the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC) on January 1, 1912. After the ROC lost control of mainland China during the Chinese Civil War, the government relocated to Taiwan in December 1949. As a result, National Day is mainly observed in Taiwan.
Official Celebrations
The celebrations kick off with the raising of the Republic of China flag in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, accompanied by the singing of the national anthem. This is followed by a series of events and festivities in front of the Presidential Building. Occasionally, a military parade takes place, adding to the grandeur of the day. The festivities often include traditional Chinese and Taiwanese cultural elements such as drum performances and lion dances.
Festive Traditions
National Day is marked by various cultural activities that highlight Taiwanese and Chinese heritage. The celebrations culminate with a presidential address and a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky. This vibrant and patriotic day is a testament to Taiwan's rich history and cultural pride, making it a significant event for locals and visitors alike.
Taiwan Celebrations And Festivals
Taiwan has a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and religious events celebrated throughout the year. Apart from Chinese New Year, National Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Lantern Festival, here are some other significant events:
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This festival is marked by family reunions, moon-gazing, and eating mooncakes. People also light lanterns and sometimes hold barbecues. The festival symbolizes the end of the autumn harvest and is a time for giving thanks.
Tomb Sweeping Day
Tomb Sweeping Day, or Qingming Festival, is observed on April 4 or 5. It is a time for families to honor their ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings of food, tea, and other items. This day is also an opportunity for family outings and enjoying the spring weather.
Ghost Festival
The Ghost Festival, observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, is a time when the spirits of the deceased are believed to return to the mortal world. Taiwanese people make offerings of food, incense, and paper money to appease these spirits. The festival includes rituals, performances, and feasts to honor and remember ancestors and restless spirits.
Double Seventh Festival
The Double Seventh Festival, also known as the Qixi Festival or Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It celebrates the romantic legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Couples celebrate by exchanging gifts, going on romantic dates, and stargazing, as the festival is associated with the stars Vega and Altair.
Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival, particularly significant for Taiwan's indigenous communities, celebrates the harvest season. Different indigenous tribes have their own unique ways of celebrating, which may include dances, songs, feasts, and rituals to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. These celebrations highlight the rich cultural diversity within Taiwan.
Mazu Pilgrimage
The Mazu Pilgrimage is a major religious event honoring Mazu, the sea goddess, and protector of fishermen and sailors. Thousands of devotees participate in this annual pilgrimage, which involves carrying a statue of Mazu on a journey across various temples. The event includes parades, performances, and traditional rituals, showcasing deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions.
228 Peace Memorial Day
Observed on February 28, this national holiday commemorates the 228 Incident of 1947, a significant event in Taiwan's modern history. The day is marked by ceremonies, speeches, and memorial services to honor the victims and reflect on Taiwan's path towards democracy and human rights.
Taiwan Pride
Taiwan Pride, held in October, is one of the largest LGBTQ+ pride parades in Asia. The event promotes equality, diversity, and acceptance, featuring colorful parades, performances, and various activities. It reflects Taiwan's progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights and its vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve in Taiwan is celebrated with grand festivities, including fireworks displays, concerts, and countdown events. Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world, hosts a spectacular fireworks show that attracts thousands of spectators each year, marking the beginning of the New Year with joy and excitement.