Sacred Feasts and Seasons

Confucianism is know more for its filial piety and ancestor worship then as a seasonal religion.  This post on 'Sacred Feasts and Seasons' will need to lean on traditional Chinese festivals with a connection with Confucianism. It is telling how little is written in books or on the internet about Confucian 'Feasts and Festivals'. It may say as much about the way Western media and scholars divide up the pie of Chinese religion than anything.  Anything religious is portioned out as Confucianism, Buddhist, popular and Dao.  The bit that is named Confucianism is generally philosophical and related to particular Sages and their writing.  Anything loud and fun is given over to the other religions especially the 'popular' section.

REUTERS (Enny Nuraheni) Kuala Lampur

Chinese New Year is an important two week festival in the early spring. The third day of Chinese New Year is the biggest feast of the year.  A place is laid at the table for Taigong and Taipo, the two archetypal male and female ancestors.  No one can eat until the ancestors at the shrine are honored and fed.  This was the ritual I demonstrated in class.

Other Feasts during the year have to do with ancestors and family:

• In the fall, the seventh lunar month is devoted to the Hungry Ghost festival.  In this festival the ancestors are honored and fed, while the hungry ghosts of people who do not have family or died under unfortunate circumstances are discouraged from coming to the house.
  

hungry ghost -Kyoto National Museum

• Winter Solstice or the Dongzhi festival is traditionally a clan gathering. People gather together in their ancestral villages (at least they should, modern Chinese may not do this but think they should), share a meal and renew ties.  Its religious significance has to do with Yin and Yang.  It celebrates the return of Yang energy with special, aggressive foods.

bluelight.ru - child enjoying Dongzhi

• April 5th, is called Tomb Sweeping day or Mourning Day.  People return to their ancestral village and clean the tombs of their ancestors.  They bring a picnic lunch of food for the ancestors, offer it and then eat it themselves. (Chinese do not believe in wasting food.)

 Qingming Festival or Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day China