This handbook outlines festivals for the traditional year, providing participant descriptions, explination of key symbols, and the telling some of the stories behind select festivals.

Chinese Festivals provides an illustrated introduction to China's traditional festivals, firmly established as part of China's rich, diverse culture.

Chinese culture and heritage is rich and runs across a time frame of five thousand years. It was during this time that a variety of unique and varied celebrations began to grow roots. Despite China’s many changes Chinese festivals are deeply rooted in popular tradition. China amasses a vast area and consists of a number of ethnic groups that all come together as part of a vibrant cultural experience. Some of these festivals have developed into popular celebrations that are not only practiced in China, but also in many Chinese communities throughout the world. Much of the customs and traditions of its people vary by geography and ethnicity yet remain firmly established as part of the country’s vibrant culture. Over the years much of the festivals have evolved with the changes in the development of the Chinese civilization and as a consequence have become an integral part of the Chinese culture. As with time’s progression and the advent of science, technology and rapid globalisation many Chinese are no longer able to tell how their festivals originated which has in turn seen the gradual shedding of ethnic traditions for modern and universal ways. This is especially true of Chinese communities outside their homeland.

This book on the origins of the festivals and popular stories associated with them will help the reader to appreciate how the celebration of these festivals acted as a social glue in identifying and helping the Chinese stick together as a race throughout their long history and wherever they are found.

This beautifully illustrated Chinese cookbook features all the most popular feast and festival food along with a wealth information. It is often said that the Chinese live to eat. Happily for them, the rich culinary tradition of China is largely inspired by a calendar year filled with a generous round of joyous occasions--festivals, reunions, weddings and anniversaries--for eating, drinking and making merry. And, of course, for paying homage to the gods and ancestors. Food, fittingly, is a combination of flavors and symbols (wealth, happiness, luck, prosperity), a spiritual celebration and an earthly pleasure. Chinese Feasts & Festivals, S.C. Moey has assembled a number of facts and fancies as well as a collection of festival specialties for the Chinese food lover to read and enjoy or, if the spirit takes flight, cook up a feast that will impress both mortals and ancestors and win the approval of the gods. Authentic Chinese recipes include: Drunken Chicken Steamed Duck with Bamboo Shoots Five Spice Rolls Spicy Sichuanese Lamb Sweet and Sour Fish Chinese Lettuce Leaf Cups Yangzhou Fried Rice Sweet Red Bean Pancakes Steamed Rice Flour Cupcakes New Years Cakes