Chinese Holidays

The National Fetish

The National Fetish

Amid nationalist celebrations sparked by July 4th and the World Cup, Jeremiah Jenne reflects that it’s no bad thing to honor a country but that it’s also worth rebalancing our patriotism with our responsibilities to the world.

Double Ninth Day: Spend Today in the Mountains or With Your Elders (Or Both)

Double Ninth Day: Spend Today in the Mountains or With Your Elders (Or Both)

In Chinese numerology, the number nine is associated with the principal of Yang, the masculine complement of Yin in the Yin/Yang system. Today is the ninth day of the ninth month in the Lunar-Solar calendar (hence the name “Double Yang/Double Brightness”). While Yang is generally considered a good thing, too much of anything can throw a system out of balance. When systems are out of balance, as the 84-year-old auntie who lives on your hutong will remind you every day this winter, people get sick.

Don't Be a Fool, Eat Your Gruel: The Story Behind Eating Porridge for Laba Festival

Don't Be a Fool, Eat Your Gruel: The Story Behind Eating Porridge for Laba Festival

Some people will do anything for a free meal, even if that means waiting in line outside in Beijing in the middle of January for nothing more than a bowl of thin 粥 zhōu, or porridge.

Zhou Enlai, the Qingming Festival, and the spring demonstrations of 1976

Zhou Enlai, the Qingming Festival, and the spring demonstrations of 1976

Today is Qingming Jie, the annual grave sweeping day, and also the 35th anniversary of the April 5 Τiananmen Incident.  This post, originally published on the anniversary of Zhou Enlai’s death (January 8, 2007), looks at the legacy of Zhou Enlai and how the celebration of Qingming led to a major demonstration and crackdown in the spring of 1976.