关于中元节的英文介绍(精简3篇)

关于中元节的英文介绍 篇一

The Introduction of Zhongyuan Festival

The Zhongyuan Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. It is believed that on this day, the gates of the underworld are open, allowing the spirits of the deceased to return to the human world. The festival is a time for people to honor their ancestors and pay respects to the deceased.

The origins of the Zhongyuan Festival can be traced back to ancient times. According to Chinese folklore, during the Tang Dynasty, a Buddhist monk named Mulian saw that his mother was suffering in the underworld. In order to save her, he went to the underworld and offered food and prayers to the hungry ghosts. This act of filial piety moved the gods, and his mother was eventually released from suffering. To commemorate this event, people started to offer sacrifices to the deceased during the month of July.

During the Zhongyuan Festival, people perform various rituals to show their respect for the deceased. One of the most common customs is to make offerings of food and drinks. These offerings are placed on an altar or outside the house, along with incense and paper money. It is believed that the spirits will consume the essence of the food and money, bringing them comfort in the afterlife. In addition to these offerings, people also burn paper houses, cars, and other items as a way to provide the spirits with material possessions in the afterlife.

Another important aspect of the Zhongyuan Festival is the performance of traditional Chinese opera. It is believed that the spirits enjoy watching these performances, so people organize various shows and stage plays during the festival. These performances are held in public squares or temples and are open to everyone. People also believe that by watching these shows, they can receive blessings and protection from the spirits.

In recent years, the Zhongyuan Festival has evolved into a more commercialized event. Many businesses take advantage of the festival to promote their products and services. Shopping malls and restaurants often hold special promotions and discounts to attract customers during this time. Despite the commercialization, the festival still retains its traditional significance for many Chinese people, who continue to observe the customs and rituals associated with the Zhongyuan Festival.

In conclusion, the Zhongyuan Festival is an important traditional Chinese festival that is celebrated to honor ancestors and pay respects to the deceased. Through various rituals and offerings, people express their filial piety and show their belief in the afterlife. Whether through making offerings, watching traditional shows, or simply remembering their loved ones, the Zhongyuan Festival holds a special place in the hearts of many Chinese people.

关于中元节的英文介绍 篇二

The Significance of Zhongyuan Festival

The Zhongyuan Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is an important traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. It holds great significance in Chinese culture and is observed by people across the country.

The primary significance of the Zhongyuan Festival lies in its role as a time to honor ancestors and pay respects to the deceased. Chinese people believe that during this month, the gates of the underworld are open, allowing the spirits of the deceased to return to the human world. It is considered a duty and responsibility for people to offer sacrifices and prayers to their ancestors during this time. By doing so, they show their filial piety and express gratitude for the guidance and blessings received from their ancestors.

Another important aspect of the Zhongyuan Festival is the belief in the existence of hungry ghosts. Chinese folklore tells stories of spirits who are unable to find peace in the afterlife due to their wrongdoings or unfulfilled desires. These hungry ghosts roam the earth during the festival, seeking food and comfort. In order to provide for these spirits, people make offerings of food, drinks, and money. It is believed that by satisfying the hunger and needs of these hungry ghosts, they will not cause harm or bring misfortune to the living.

The Zhongyuan Festival is also a time for people to reflect on the impermanence of life and the cycle of birth and death. It serves as a reminder that everyone will eventually pass away and become an ancestor themselves. The festival encourages people to cherish their loved ones and appreciate the present moment. It promotes the values of family, unity, and the importance of maintaining strong bonds with one's ancestors.

In addition to the cultural and spiritual significance, the Zhongyuan Festival also holds economic importance. Many businesses take advantage of the festival to promote their products and services. It is common to see special promotions, discounts, and events organized during this time. The festival has become a significant period for economic activity and consumer spending.

In conclusion, the Zhongyuan Festival is a deeply rooted traditional Chinese festival that carries great significance. It serves as a time to honor ancestors and pay respects to the deceased, while also reminding people of the impermanence of life. Through various rituals and offerings, people express their filial piety and show their belief in the afterlife. Whether through making offerings, reflecting on the cycle of life, or participating in economic activities, the Zhongyuan Festival plays an important role in Chinese culture and society.

关于中元节的英文介绍 篇三

　　Just as Halloween is for Americans, the “Hungry Ghost Festival” is for Chinese. Ghost Festival is one of Chinese traditional occasions, which is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival usually falls on the15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar. The Ghost Festival, some places say the Hungry Ghost Festival, is also called Half July (Lunar), Ullambana, which is closely related to Buddhism, and zhongyuan jie which is the

　　It is believed by the Chinese that the dead become ghosts roaming between Heaven and Earth unless they have descendants to care for them during the Ghost Festival. During this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. Some even think that the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. However, more people remember their ancestors on this day. The Ghost Festival becomes a time for remembering the importance of filial piety. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck. People now release river lights as an important activity during this time, since it is said that river light can comfort and warm the homeless ghosts. In some areas, visitors may also see small roadside fires, where believes burn paper money and other offerings to appease the restless spirits who have temporarily been released from Hades.

　　How we Chinese people celebrate it?

　　The Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. It also falls at the same time as a full moon, the new season, the fall harvest, the peak of Buddhist monastic asceticism, the rebirth of ancestors, and the assembly of the local community.

　　Unlike other celebrations of the dead in Eastern cultures, the Hungry Ghost Festival seeks to pacify the hungry ghosts. These are the ghosts of those who died by their own hands, by accidents, by drowning or hanging who have been denied entry into heaven and they are forced to dwell in hell without food or comfort, when released, they search for souls to take their place in misery. To Taoists and Buddhists, these evil spirits are not to be taken to sun. They are most active at night and can take many forms including: snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves, and tigers. They can even appear as beautiful men or women to seduce the living. When they possess an inpidual by entering the body they cause illness and mental disorders.

　　During this month, the gates of hell are opened up and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. These ghosts are believed to be ancestors of those who have forgotten to pay tribute to them after they had died, or those who have suffered deaths and were never given a proper ritual for a send-off. They have long needle-thin necks because they have not been fed by their family, or it is a sign of punishment so they are unable to swallow.

　　Family members offer prayers to their deceased relatives, offer food and drink and burn joss paper. Such paper items are only valid in the underworld, which is why they burn it as an offering to the ghosts that have come from the gates of hell. The afterlife is very similar in some aspects to the material world, and the paper effigies of material goods would provide comfort to in the afterlife. People would also burn other things such as paper houses, cars, servants and televisions to please the ghosts. Families also pay tribute to other unknown wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls do not intrude on their lives and bring misfortune and bad luck. A large feast is held for the ghosts on the fourteenth day of the seventh month, where everyone brings samplings of food and places them on the offering table to please the ghosts and ward off bad luck.

　　In some East Asian countries today, live performances are held and everyone is invited to attend. The first row of seats are always empty as these are where the ghosts sit. The shows are always put on at night and at high volumes as the sound attract and please the ghosts. Some shows include Chinese opera, dramas, and in some areas, even burlesque shows.

　　For rituals, Buddhist and Taoists hold ceremonies to relieve ghosts from suffering, many of them holding ceremonies in the afternoon or at night as it is believed that the ghosts are released from hell when the sun sets. Altars are built for the deceased and priests and monks alike perform rituals for the benefit of ghosts. Monks and priests often throw rice or other small foods into the air in all directions to distribute them to the ghosts.

　　During the evening, incense is burnt in front of the doors of each household. Incense stands for prosperity in Chinese culture, so families believe that there is more prosperity in burning more incense. During the festival, some shops are closed as they wanted to leave the streets open for the ghosts. In the middle of each street stood an altar of incense with fresh fruit and sacrifices displayed on it.

　　14 days after the festival, to make sure all the hungry ghosts find their way back to hell, people flow water lanterns and set them outside their houses. These lanterns are made by setting a lotus flower-shaped lantern on a paper boat. The lanterns are used to direct the ghosts back to the underworld, and when they go out, it symbolizes that they found their way back.

　　Nowadays, the Ghost Festival is not only celebrated by Chinese people, but also some other Eastern countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, North Korea and Japan.

　　The Ghost Festival in Malaysia is modernized by the 'concert-like' live performances. It has its own characteristics and is not similar to other Ghost Festivals in other countries. The live show is popularly known as 'Koh-tai' by the Hokkien-speaking people, performed by a group of singers, dancers and entertainers on a temporary stage that setup within the residential district. The festival is funded by the residents of each inpidual residential district.

　　Ullambana was introduced to Japan in the time of tang and sui dynasty, called O-bon, or simply bon. It has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. It is held from of July 13, to welcome O-bon, to July 16 for farewell. O-bon is the Japanese version of the Ghost Festival, which has since been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visits and cleans their ancestors' graves. Chugen is an annual event when people give gifts to their superiors and acquaintances. Traditionally it includes a dance, too.

　　Some superstitions have been presenting until now. One of the superstitions that the Chinese have about the festival is that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil spirit might cause you to drown in the water. In addition to this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children. Usually in the hungry ghost month, no one will get married.

关于中元节的英文介绍