Custom – Will Blog

The Mid-Autumn Festival In 2024 Is Coming

The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, Beijing time. It is a traditional festival celebrated by the whole country and a legal holiday. It is usually held together with the weekend to form a small holiday. The Mid-Autumn Festival this year is on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, and the zodiac sign is dragon. This day is not only a full moon night in astronomical phenomena, but also an important moment for the emotional and cultural inheritance of the Chinese nation.

The origin and significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the ancient worship of the moon, which can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty and was officially designated as a festival in the Tang Dynasty. It is not only a season to celebrate the harvest, but also a time for family reunion and sustenance. As the ancients said: “The bright moon rises on the sea, and the world is at this time.” The Mid-Autumn Festival has become one of the most representative traditional festivals of the Chinese nation with its unique cultural connotations.
How modern Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moon-watching and reunion
Moon-watching is one of the most important traditional customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, no matter where people are, they will look up at the bright moon and express their thoughts and blessings for their families. Modern families usually arrange time in advance to return home to reunite with their loved ones and share the joy of family. People can be seen admiring the moon on rooftops and balconies in cities, or in fields and mountains in rural areas.
Eating mooncakes
As a symbolic food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. Today, there are many types of mooncakes with different flavors, from traditional red bean paste and lotus paste to modern innovative flavors such as ice cream and chocolate. Family members sitting together and tasting delicious mooncakes not only satisfy the enjoyment of taste buds, but also imply family harmony and happiness. In addition, mooncakes are often given as gifts to relatives and friends, conveying festival blessings and friendship.
Lanterns and colored lights
Releasing lanterns is another activity that is deeply loved by children during the Mid-Autumn Festival. All kinds of lanterns are lit up at night, like stars, illuminating the night sky and the smiling faces of children. In public places such as parks and squares, lantern exhibitions are also held to decorate the city like a poem and a picture. These lanterns and colored lights not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also express people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Worshiping the moon and praying for blessings
On the night of the full moon, there is a folk custom of worshiping the moon. People will set up a table in the courtyard, put fruits, moon cakes and other offerings, and pray to the moon for peace, health, happiness and other good wishes. With the development of technology, online blessing has gradually become a new way. People convey blessings and thoughts to their relatives far away through social media, online platforms and other channels.
Rich cultural activities
In addition to traditional activities such as watching the moon and eating moon cakes, the modern Mid-Autumn Festival has also incorporated more colorful cultural activities. Such as poetry recitation, concerts, dance performances and other literary and artistic performances, as well as interactive games such as guessing lantern riddles and making moon cakes, so that people can feel the profoundness of Chinese culture while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

IV. The cultural connotation and contemporary value of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a festival, but also a cultural inheritance and emotional sustenance. It contains the Chinese nation’s desire for family reunion, yearning for a better life, and pursuit of harmonious coexistence with nature. On this special day, no matter where people are, they can feel the warmth and strength from the bottom of their hearts.

With the development of the times, the way of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is also constantly innovating and evolving. But no matter how the form changes, the cultural connotation and national sentiment behind it remain unchanged. The Mid-Autumn Festival has become a bridge connecting the past and the future, tradition and modernity, allowing people to more deeply understand and inherit the excellent culture of the Chinese nation while celebrating the festival.

V. Conclusion
The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 is coming, which is a festival full of warmth and hope. On this special day, let us not forget our original aspirations and pass on the excellent culture of the Chinese nation; let us gather with our families and share the joy of family life; let us feel the festive atmosphere and cultural charm through activities such as appreciating the moon, eating moon cakes, and releasing lanterns.

The Customs Of The Mid-Autumn Festival

As one of the four major traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival has rich and colorful customs, which not only reflects the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, but also embodies people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life. The following is a detailed explanation of the main customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival:

Moon Appreciation
Moon appreciation is one of the most core customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. When night falls, a bright moon hangs high in the sky, and every household will go out, or climb a building to look into the distance, or live by the water, to appreciate this bright moon together. Moon appreciation activities not only allow people to appreciate the beauty of the moon, but also embodies people’s longing for their distant relatives and their yearning for a better life. In ancient times, the emperor had the ritual of worshiping the sun in spring and worshiping the moon in autumn, and the people also had the custom of worshiping the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the Tang Dynasty, moon appreciation and moon playing were quite popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and many poets had poems about the moon in their famous works. The activities of worshiping the moon and appreciating the moon in the court and among the people in the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties were more large-scale. People in different regions also hold moon appreciation activities according to local characteristics, such as the “Fire Dragon Dance” in the south.
Eating mooncakes
Eating mooncakes is another major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. As a traditional food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes symbolize reunion and happiness. There are many kinds of mooncakes, including Cantonese, Su, Beijing and other flavors, and the fillings are also rich and varied, including red bean paste, lotus paste, five kernels, egg yolks, etc. The custom of eating mooncakes originated from the ancient ritual of worshiping the moon, and later gradually evolved into a must-have festival food for every household during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather together to taste mooncakes, which not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also expresses people’s desire for family reunion and wishes for a better life.
Lighting lanterns
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is still a custom of lighting lanterns in many places. People will light lanterns or fly Kongming lanterns in the courtyard to express their thoughts for their loved ones and good wishes for the future. This custom not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also reflects people’s pursuit of light and hope. In ancient times, people believed that lanterns could drive away evil and protect peace, so lighting lanterns on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival became a traditional custom. Now, although the material and shape of lanterns have changed a lot, this custom is still preserved and inherited and developed.
Appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when osmanthus is in full bloom, so appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine have become a major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrance of osmanthus is refreshing; and osmanthus wine is brewed with osmanthus as the raw material, with a unique taste and aroma. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will gather together to appreciate osmanthus and taste osmanthus wine to feel the joy and warmth of the festival. At the same time, osmanthus also embodies people’s pursuit and praise for a sweet life, making this custom more poetic and romantic.
Playing with lanterns
Playing with lanterns is one of the traditional entertainment activities of the Mid-Autumn Festival. People will make lanterns of various shapes and sizes to decorate their homes or participate in activities such as lantern parades and competitions. Lanterns are made of various materials, including paper, plastic, glass, etc.; the shapes are also different, including animal shapes, plant shapes, and human shapes. On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, people light lanterns and place them in the water to float or hang them high up to watch, in order to express their yearning and pursuit for a better life. In addition, some places have the custom of guessing lantern riddles. People will post riddles on lanterns for people to guess, which adds to the fun and interactivity of the festival.
Moon worship and moon worship
Moon worship and moon worship are one of the important rituals of Mid-Autumn Festival. In ancient times, people believed that the moon was a mysterious and noble natural object that could affect the growth of crops, the changes in tides, and even the misfortunes and blessings of the world. Therefore, every night of Mid-Autumn Festival, people would set up a table in the courtyard to worship the moon god in the air (called “moon worship” or “moon worship”), praying for the moon god to bless their family with peace, harvest and happiness. The moon worship ceremony usually includes setting up a table, placing offerings, burning incense, and bowing; moon worship refers to people’s behavior of paying homage to the moon god and praying for his blessing. Although the rituals of moon worship and moon worship have been gradually simplified or disappeared in modern society, this traditional custom is still preserved in some places.
Other customs
In addition to the customs mentioned above, there are many other interesting customs and activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For example:

Walking on the moon: In Wuhu, Anhui, there is a custom of “walking on the moon”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, local women will make appointments to go out together. They will walk through the streets and alleys to look at the moon, or go to the wild to enjoy the moon and talk about love until late at night.
Stealing onions and vegetables: In some areas of Taiwan Province, there is a custom of “stealing onions and vegetables”. According to legend, if an unmarried girl steals vegetables or onions from other people’s vegetable gardens on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, it means that she will meet a good husband in the future. Therefore, unmarried girls in these areas will go together to steal onions and vegetables on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival to pray for a happy marriage.
Sending melons and touching melons: In Xiaogan, Hubei, there is a custom of “sending melons”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, local people will give each other watermelons to express their blessings. In some places in Zhejiang, there is a custom of “touching melons”. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people will touch the melons in the offerings to cut and eat them in order to pray for a child. If a woman has not given birth after three years of marriage, she must go to touch the melon and pray for early pregnancy and childbirth.
Mid-Autumn Night Tour: On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival in the Jiangnan region, people will go boating on the lake to enjoy the moon and the scenery and taste delicious food. This activity not only adds to the fun of the festival but also promotes emotional exchanges between people.
Summary
As one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, the Mid-Autumn Festival has rich and colorful customs and profound meanings. Whether it is watching the moon, eating moon cakes, lighting lanterns, appreciating osmanthus and other customs, they all reflect the profound cultural heritage and national emotions of the Chinese nation. At the same time, these customs have become an indispensable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, making this festival more charming and attractive. In modern society, with the development of society and cultural exchanges, the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival are also constantly inherited and developed.

What Are The Legends About The Mid-Autumn Festival

The legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival are rich and varied, among which the most well-known are the stories of “Chang’e Flying to the Moon” and “Wu Gang Cutting the Osmanthus Tree”. The following is a detailed explanation of these two legends, as well as a brief introduction to other related legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chang’e Flying to the Moon
“Chang’e Flying to the Moon” is one of the most famous Mid-Autumn Festival legends in ancient China. Its story has a long history and many versions, but the core plot is roughly the same.

Story Background
It is said that in ancient times, the hero Houyi shot down nine suns and saved the world from the suffering of the scorching sun, so he was rewarded by the Emperor of Heaven with the elixir of immortality. However, Houyi was reluctant to leave his wife Chang’e, so he gave the elixir of immortality to Chang’e for safekeeping.

Main plot
Safekeeping of the elixir: Chang’e hid the elixir of immortality at home, but this was known to Houyi’s apprentice Feng Meng. Feng Meng had evil intentions and wanted to seize the elixir for immortality.
Feng Meng forced the elixir: One day, Houyi went out hunting, and Feng Meng took the opportunity to break into Houyi’s house and forced Chang’e to hand over the elixir. Chang’e knew that she was no match for Feng Meng. In order to protect the elixir from falling into the hands of evil people, she resolutely swallowed the whole elixir.
Ascending to the Moon Palace: After swallowing the elixir, Chang’e’s body gradually became lighter, and she involuntarily floated off the ground and finally flew to the distant Moon Palace. Because of her deep longing for Hou Yi, Chang’e finally chose to land on the moon closest to the human world to live.
Hou Yi’s memorial: Hou Yi was heartbroken when he learned about this after returning home. He looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and found a vague figure in the moon that looked like Chang’e. So, every year on August 15, he would set up an incense table in the back garden to offer sacrifices to Chang’e in the Moon Palace.
Cultural influence
The story of “Chang’e flying to the moon” not only reflects the ancient people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life, but also expresses people’s praise and praise for loyal love. In addition, this story has also become one of the important sources of customs such as watching the moon and eating moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Wu Gang Cuts Down the Osmanthus Tree
“Wu Gang Cuts Down the Osmanthus Tree” is another legend closely related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Story Background
It is said that in the Moon Palace, in addition to Chang’e, there is also an immortal named Wu Gang. Because he violated the rules of heaven, he was punished by the Emperor of Heaven to go to the Moon Palace to cut down a osmanthus tree that could never be cut down.

Main plot
Violating the rules of heaven: Wu Gang was originally an immortal in the heavenly palace, but he violated the rules of heaven for some reason (the specific reason varies from version to version), and was punished by the Emperor of Heaven to work in the Moon Palace.
Cutting down the osmanthus tree: In the Moon Palace, Wu Gang was arranged to cut down a tall osmanthus tree. However, this osmanthus tree has magical powers. Whenever Wu Gang is about to cut it down, the tree will heal automatically. Therefore, Wu Gang can only repeat this endless labor day after day and year after year.
Lonely Watch: In the Moon Palace, in addition to cutting down osmanthus trees, Wu Gang has to endure endless loneliness and solitude. He often looked up at the stars, thinking of his relatives and friends on earth.
Cultural influence
The story of “Wu Gang cutting the osmanthus tree” not only reflects the ancient people’s praise and admiration for diligence and tenacity, but also reflects people’s deep thinking about the passage of time and the impermanence of life. In addition, this story is closely linked to the custom of moon-watching during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and has become an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival culture.

Other Mid-Autumn Festival legends
In addition to “Chang’e flying to the moon” and “Wu Gang cutting the osmanthus tree”, there are many other interesting legends about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Legend of the origin of Mid-Autumn Festival
Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the worship of celestial phenomena and evolved from the autumn festival in ancient times. The original “Moon Festival” was held on the day of “Autumn Equinox” in the 24 solar terms of the Ganzhi calendar, and was later adjusted to August 15 of the Xia calendar (Lunar calendar). According to the “Book of Rites”, August 15 of each year is an important festival of the year, also known as the “Mid-Autumn Festival”. On this day, people will pray to the moon god and perform sacrificial ceremonies.
Local legends
Chaoshan Tower Burning: At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, in order to keep pace with the rebels in the surrounding areas, the Chaoshan people, according to a secret agreement in advance, built a tower with tiles and burned a fire in an open area on August 15 as a signal for the uprising. Later, this custom was preserved and developed into the custom of burning towers during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hong Kong Fire Dragon Dance: According to legend, a long time ago, after the typhoon in Tai Hang District, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, a giant python appeared and did evil. After the villagers subdued the python, a plague broke out. The elders in the village were told by the Bodhisattva in their dreams that dancing with a fire dragon could drive away the plague. Since then, the custom of dancing with a fire dragon has been passed down every Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine: According to legend, when Chang’e was lonely in the Moon Palace, she turned into a jade rabbit and accompanied the toad in the Moon Palace. The jade rabbit was also responsible for pounding the elixir of immortality in the Moon Palace for Chang’e to take. This legend also adds more mystery and romance to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
IV. Summary
As one of the four major traditional festivals in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival contains rich cultural connotations and profound historical heritage. Whether it is the loyal love of “Chang’e flying to the moon” or the hard work and perseverance of “Wu Gang cutting the cassia tree”, they all reflect the traditional virtues and values of the Chinese nation. At the same time, these legends also add more fun and mystery to the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing people to feel more cultural charm and emotional resonance when celebrating this festival.

What Is Mid-Autumn Festival?

Mid-Autumn Festival, as one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, carries a profound cultural heritage and rich emotional connotations. It has a long history and a wide and far-reaching influence. To fully explain the Mid-Autumn Festival, we need to analyze it from multiple dimensions such as its origin, development, customs, cultural connotations, and its significance in modern society.

The origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival
There are many theories about the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the most well-known of which is its connection with the ancient custom of worshiping the moon. In ancient China, moon worship was a common phenomenon. People believed that the moon was a mysterious and noble natural object that could affect the growth of crops, the changes in tides, and even the misfortunes and blessings of the world. Therefore, the ancients often held sacrificial activities on the night of the full moon to pray for a good harvest, peace, and reunion. This custom gradually combined with the specific date of the 15th day of the eighth lunar month to form the prototype of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In addition, the formation of the Mid-Autumn Festival is also related to the ritual of the ancient emperors worshiping the moon. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, there were rituals of worshiping the sun on the spring equinox, worshiping the earth on the summer solstice, worshiping the moon on the autumn equinox, and worshiping the sky on the winter solstice. Although the original moon worship was not set on August 15, as time went by, this date was gradually fixed and became a festival celebrated by the whole nation.

The development of the Mid-Autumn Festival
The development of the Mid-Autumn Festival is a long and complex process, which integrates cultural elements and folk beliefs from multiple historical periods. In the Tang Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival began to become an officially recognized festival and was called the “Reunion Festival”, which was inseparable from the concept of family reunion in the society at that time. After the Song Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival became more popular, and customs such as moon watching and moon cake eating gradually formed and spread to this day. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Mid-Autumn Festival had become an important national festival, and various celebrations were rich and colorful, such as moon watching, poetry reciting, sky lanterns, and fire dragon dancing, showing the diversity and inclusiveness of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moon watching
Moon watching is one of the most core customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. When night falls, a bright moon hangs high in the sky, and every household will go out, or climb a building to look into the distance, or live by the water, to enjoy this bright moon together. People use this to express their longing for their relatives far away, and also express their yearning and pursuit for a better life.
Eating mooncakes
Mooncakes are a traditional food of the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing reunion and happiness. There are many kinds of mooncakes, including Cantonese, Suzhou, Beijing and other flavors, and the fillings are also rich and varied, including red bean paste, lotus paste, five kernels, egg yolks, etc. The custom of eating mooncakes originated from the ancient ritual of worshiping the moon, and later gradually evolved into a must-have festival food for every household during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lighting lanterns
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, many places still have the custom of lighting lanterns. People will light lanterns or fly Kongming lanterns in the courtyard to express their thoughts for their relatives and good wishes for the future. This custom not only adds to the festive atmosphere of the festival, but also reflects people’s pursuit of light and hope.
Appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when osmanthus is in full bloom, so appreciating osmanthus and drinking osmanthus wine have also become a major custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrance of osmanthus is refreshing and refreshing; osmanthus wine is brewed with osmanthus as raw material, with a unique taste and aroma, and is deeply loved by people.

IV. Cultural connotation of Mid-Autumn Festival

Reunion culture
The core cultural connotation of Mid-Autumn Festival is reunion. During this festival, no matter where people are, they will express their thoughts and concerns for their loved ones in various ways. This desire and pursuit for reunion reflects the profound family concept and family awareness of the Chinese nation. At the same time, the reunion culture of Mid-Autumn Festival also promotes social harmony and stability, and enhances national cohesion and centripetal force.
Gratitude culture
Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival of gratitude. During this festival, people will thank nature for the gifts and the blessings of their ancestors, and will also be grateful for the care and support of their relatives and friends. This gratitude culture embodies the traditional virtues and humanistic feelings of the Chinese nation, and also promotes emotional exchanges and spiritual communication between people.
Harmonious culture
Mid-Autumn Festival also contains the connotation of harmonious culture. During this festival, people create a harmonious, warm and beautiful festival atmosphere through customs such as moon watching, eating moon cakes and lighting lanterns. This harmonious culture is not only reflected in the unity and harmony within the family, but also in the harmonious coexistence of all levels of society. It promotes social stability and prosperity, and also shows the traditional virtues and humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation.

V. The significance of Mid-Autumn Festival in modern society
With the changes of the times and the development of society, Mid-Autumn Festival still has important significance in modern society. First of all, as one of the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation, it carries rich historical and cultural connotations and national emotional memories, and is an important carrier for inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Secondly, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival that promotes family reunion and social harmony. During this festival, people can put aside their busy work and study, spend a good time with their families, and enhance family affection and friendship; at the same time, they can also participate in various social welfare activities and cultural activities to contribute their own strength to building a harmonious society. Finally, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival that showcases the innovative spirit and contemporary style of the Chinese nation. On the basis of retaining traditional customs, people continue to innovate and develop, giving Mid-Autumn Festival new contemporary connotations and forms of expression.

In short, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival full of charm and emotion. It not only carries the long history and culture of the Chinese nation and the national emotional memory, but also shows the traditional virtues and humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation. In modern society, the Mid-Autumn Festival still has important significance and value, which is worth our continued inheritance and promotion.

Why Do Chinese People Like Journey To The West?

“Journey to the West”, a classic novel about gods and demons written by Ming Dynasty novelist Wu Cheng’en, has been deeply rooted in the cultural soil of the Chinese people and has become a classic and legend in the hearts of generations since its publication. The reasons why it has been able to attract the imagination of the Chinese people for a long time are complex and far-reaching, involving multiple levels such as literary value, cultural implication, artistic expression, and social psychology. The following is an in-depth discussion of this phenomenon. Although it is difficult to fully elaborate in 3,000 words, I will try my best to summarize its core points.

Excellence in literary value
Rich imagination and fantasy
“Journey to the West” takes the legendary story of Tang Monk and his four disciples seeking scriptures as the main line, and constructs a bizarre and mysterious mythological world. The book not only contains immortals flying in the clouds and mist, ever-changing demons, but also various magic weapons and strange geographical landscapes. These elements greatly satisfy people’s curiosity and desire to explore the unknown world. With his extraordinary imagination, Wu Chengen skillfully blended reality and fantasy to create a literary universe that is both based on reality and beyond reality.
Deep characterization
The characters in “Journey to the West” are distinct and distinctive. Tang Monk’s compassion, Sun Wukong’s wit and bravery, Zhu Bajie’s naivety, and Sha Monk’s honesty, these characters not only have distinct personalities, but also continue to grow and change with the development of the story, showing the complex brilliance of human nature. In particular, the character of Sun Wukong has become the embodiment of wisdom, strength and justice, and is deeply loved by readers.
Compact plot design and clever narrative techniques
The plot design of “Journey to the West” is compact and tense, and each chapter is full of conflicts and twists, which makes people unable to stop. At the same time, Wu Chengen also cleverly used narrative techniques such as foreshadowing, correspondence, and contrast, making the whole story structure rigorous and logically clear, which is both fascinating and memorable to read.
Profundity of cultural implications
The embodiment of the idea of the unity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism
Although “Journey to the West” is based on the story of Buddhist scriptures, it incorporates Confucian ethics and Taoist natural philosophy, showing the cultural characteristics of the unity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. This ideological integration not only enriches the cultural connotation of the novel, but also reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of the social culture at that time.
A profound exploration of the good and evil of human nature
The novel deeply reveals the good and evil sides of human nature through the struggle between Tang Monk and his disciples and various demons and monsters. Sun Wukong’s rebellion and loyalty, Zhu Bajie’s greed and kindness, Sha Seng’s silence and perseverance, and the cunning and cruelty of many demons are all vivid depictions of the complexity of human nature. These stories not only entertain readers, but also trigger people’s deep reflection on themselves and society.
Metaphors and criticisms of social reality
Many plots and characters in “Journey to the West” contain metaphors and criticisms of social reality. For example, through the various hardships of Tang Monk and his disciples on the journey to obtain scriptures, the difficulties and obstacles on the road of life are reflected; through the struggle between Sun Wukong and the Heavenly Palace, the conflict and reconciliation between individuals and authority are metaphors; through the evil deeds of some demons, greed, hypocrisy and tyranny in society are criticized. These metaphors and criticisms give the novel a more profound social significance.

III. The uniqueness of artistic expression

Exquisite language art
The language of “Journey to the West” is lively and expressive. Wu Chengen used a lot of colloquialisms, slang and dialects, making the language of the novel both easy to understand and rich in local color. At the same time, he also skillfully used rhetorical techniques such as exaggeration, metaphor, and personification to make the language of the novel more vivid and enhance the artistic appeal of the work.
Literary form of poetry and prose interspersed
The novel is interspersed with a large number of poems and songs, which not only enrich the literary form of the novel, but also enhance the artistic atmosphere of the novel. These poems and essays express emotions, depict scenery, or reveal philosophy, which complement the storyline of the novel and together constitute the unique artistic style of “Journey to the West”.
Fusion of opera and folk legends
“Journey to the West” absorbed a large number of opera and folk legend elements during the creation process, making the novel have a strong folk color and drama. These elements not only enrich the content of the novel, but also make the novel closer to the actual life of the people, enhancing the readability and spread of the novel.

IV. Social psychological resonance and satisfaction

Worship and yearning for heroism
The characters such as Sun Wukong in “Journey to the West” have won the readers’ worship and yearning for their extraordinary abilities and heroic behaviors. The heroic spirit embodied in these characters not only satisfies people’s worship of the strong, but also inspires people’s desire to pursue self-transcendence and realize personal values.
Adhere to and pursue justice and kindness
The story of Tang Monk and his four disciples going through untold hardships to obtain the true scriptures in the novel conveys a kind of adherence to and pursuit of justice and kindness. This spirit not only conforms to the moral concepts of traditional Chinese culture, but also conforms to people’s deep moral pursuits and value orientations.
Emphasis and cherishment of family and affection
Although “Journey to the West” mainly tells the legendary story of seeking scriptures, there is no lack of description and emphasis on family and affection. For example, Tang Monk’s care and teaching for his disciples, and the deep friendship between Sun Wukong and the monkeys in Huaguo Mountain all reflect the importance of family and affection. These plots not only touch the readers’ emotional resonance, but also strengthen people’s cherishment of family and affection.

Chinese People Rush To Pay The Bill

In Chinese society, the dining table is not only a place to satisfy the appetite, but also an important place for interpersonal communication and emotional exchange. In such a cultural background, “rushing to pay the bill” has become a unique social phenomenon. It is not only about the payment of money, but also contains profound cultural implications and social strategies.

Cultural roots: face and reciprocity
Face culture is an important part of Chinese society that cannot be ignored. In the Chinese concept, face represents dignity, status and social evaluation. When having a meal or banquet, taking the initiative to pay the bill is often regarded as a generous and face-saving performance. By bearing the expenses, individuals not only show their economic strength, but more importantly, they win the respect and goodwill of others and maintain their face.

The traditional virtue of reciprocity is also an important factor in promoting “rushing to pay the bill”. In Chinese culture, if you accept the hospitality or help of others, you should give something in return to maintain harmonious interpersonal relationships. Therefore, after the dinner, many people will rush to pay the bill out of politeness and gratitude to show their respect and gratitude to the host or inviter.

Social psychology: group identity and sense of belonging
Group identity is an important aspect of Chinese social psychology. In a group, individuals often gain a sense of identity and belonging by imitating and following group norms. In a dinner party, when seeing someone start to pay the bill, others may join in the bill payment out of herd mentality or to avoid being seen as “unsociable”. This group behavior not only strengthens the connection between people, but also promotes social harmony.

The need for a sense of belonging is also one of the reasons that prompt people to rush to pay the bill. In the fast-paced modern life, people are eager to find a sense of belonging and security in social activities. By sharing the expenses, people feel close ties and mutual support between each other, which enhances the sense of belonging.

Economic considerations: strength display and relationship maintenance
Economic strength display is one of the motivations for some people to rush to pay the bill at dinner parties. For some people, paying for dinner parties is a way to show their economic strength and social status. By paying the expenses, they can send a signal of success and confidence to others, thereby gaining more social recognition and respect.

Relationship maintenance is also an economic consideration that cannot be ignored. In Chinese society, interpersonal networks are crucial to personal development. By treating others to a meal and paying the bill, individuals can deepen their emotional connections with others and build or consolidate their network of relationships. Although this investment may seem like a monetary investment in the short term, it may bring more resources and opportunities in the long run.

IV. Gender and generational differences
Gender and generational differences are also worth paying attention to in the phenomenon of “rushing to pay the bill”.

In terms of gender differences, traditionally, men’s greater financial responsibility in dinner parties is seen as a manifestation of responsibility and commitment. However, with the progress of society and the change of gender concepts, more and more women have begun to take the initiative to pay for dinner parties, showing their independence and confidence. However, in some occasions, men may still insist on paying the bill out of traditional concepts or respect for women.

Generational differences are reflected in the views and practices of different age groups on the behavior of paying the bill. The older generation may pay more attention to reciprocity and face culture, so they are more inclined to take the initiative to pay the bill; while the younger generation may pay more attention to personal feelings and actual needs, and have a more flexible and diverse attitude towards the behavior of paying the bill.

V. Reflection and Changes in Modern Society
With the development and changes of society, the phenomenon of “rushing to pay the bill” is also facing new challenges and reflections.

On the one hand, with the change of consumption concepts and the popularization of mobile payment, more and more people have begun to pay attention to the fair sharing and transparency of dining expenses. Some people have begun to advocate the AA system or use mobile payment software to share expenses to reduce unnecessary economic burdens and embarrassment.

On the other hand, the reflection on the cultural customs and social etiquette behind “rushing to pay the bill” is also gradually deepening. Some people believe that over-emphasizing face and reciprocity may lead to increased economic burdens and complicated interpersonal relationships; while others believe that this phenomenon reflects the unique cultural spirit and social wisdom of the Chinese people, which should be respected and passed on.

VI. Conclusion
The phenomenon of “Chinese people rushing to pay the bill” is the result of the interweaving of multiple factors such as Chinese culture, society and psychology. It reflects the unique cultural customs, social etiquette and collectivism of the Chinese people; at the same time, it also reflects the reflection and changes of modern society on traditional concepts. In the future, as society continues to develop and progress, we look forward to seeing more diverse and rational ways of paying for dinner parties; at the same time, we also hope that this phenomenon can continue to inherit and carry forward the fine traditions and spiritual core of Chinese culture.

What Does Green Hat Mean In China

In Chinese culture, colors often carry rich symbolic meanings and cultural connotations, and the term “green hat” is a metaphor with special cultural meanings. It does not simply refer to the green hat itself, but contains deep cultural psychology and social customs. To explore in depth why Chinese men do not wear green hats, we need to analyze from multiple dimensions.

Ⅰ、Cultural background and symbolic meaning

The traditional meaning of green

In traditional Chinese culture, green is not always evaluated positively. In ancient times, green was sometimes associated with “immaturity” and “greenness”, lacking a sense of maturity and stability. However, more importantly, green has gradually developed new symbolic meanings in modern Chinese, especially in spoken language and slang. Green is often associated with negative behaviors such as “cheating” and “infidelity”, especially the term “green hat”, which has become a symbol of the shame suffered by the husband when his wife has an affair.

The metaphor of “green hat”
The popularity of the term “green hat” originated from a folk legend or custom, that is, when someone’s wife has an affair with someone else, people will jokingly call the person’s hat “green” as a way of mocking and insulting him. Although this saying lacks conclusive historical records, it is widely circulated among the people and gradually solidified into a cultural symbol, which profoundly affects people’s concepts and behaviors.Social psychology and customs
Taboo psychology
The Chinese have always attached great importance to face and dignity, and often take a taboo attitude towards things that may damage their reputation and status. Therefore, when the “green hat” becomes a symbol of infidelity and shame, men will naturally try their best to avoid any association with it, including not wearing a green hat, so as not to be misunderstood or ridiculed.
Constraints of social customs
In addition to the taboos at the personal psychological level, social customs also have a strong restraining effect on people’s behavior. In Chinese society, abiding by traditional customs and moral norms is regarded as a virtue, and violating these customs and norms may be condemned and rejected by society. Therefore, not wearing a green hat has become a manifestation of men following social customs and maintaining their own image.

III. Changes and reflections in modern society

Diversification of color concepts
With the development of society and the influence of globalization, Chinese people’s color concepts are gradually changing. As one of the common colors in nature, green is gradually accepted and loved by more people for its positive, healthy and environmentally friendly meanings. In modern society, more and more people are beginning to break free from the shackles of traditional concepts and look at green and related things with a more open and inclusive attitude.
Reflection on the metaphor of “green hat”
At the same time, more and more people are beginning to reflect on the rationality and fairness of the metaphor of “green hat”. They believe that it is unfair to simply associate unfaithful behavior with green hats, and it is also a prejudice and discrimination against women. Therefore, some people have begun to call for abandoning this outdated concept and looking at marriage and loyalty issues with a more rational and objective attitude.

IV. Conclusion
In summary, Chinese men do not wear green hats not just because of personal preferences or aesthetic preferences, but are affected by multiple factors such as deep cultural background, social psychological customs and changes in modern concepts. Under the influence of traditional culture, the “green hat” has become a symbol of infidelity and shame, which makes men often avoid choosing green when choosing the color of a hat.

Why Don’t Chinese Men Wear Green Hats?

Cultural background and symbolic meaning
The traditional meaning of green

The metaphor of “green hat”
The popularity of the term “green hat” originated from a folk legend or custom, that is, when someone’s wife has an affair with someone else, people will jokingly call the person’s hat “green” as a way of mocking and insulting him. Although this saying lacks conclusive historical records, it is widely circulated among the people and gradually solidified into a cultural symbol, which profoundly affects people’s concepts and behaviors.
Social psychology and customs
Taboo psychology
The Chinese have always attached great importance to face and dignity, and often take a taboo attitude towards things that may damage their reputation and status. Therefore, when the “green hat” becomes a symbol of infidelity and shame, men will naturally try their best to avoid any association with it, including not wearing a green hat, so as not to be misunderstood or ridiculed.
Constraints of social customs
In addition to the taboos at the personal psychological level, social customs also have a strong restraining effect on people’s behavior. In Chinese society, abiding by traditional customs and moral norms is regarded as a virtue, and violating these customs and norms may be condemned and rejected by society. Therefore, not wearing a green hat has become a manifestation of men following social customs and maintaining their own image.

III. Changes and reflections in modern society

Diversification of color concepts
With the development of society and the influence of globalization, Chinese people’s color concepts are gradually changing. As one of the common colors in nature, green is gradually accepted and loved by more people for its positive, healthy and environmentally friendly meanings. In modern society, more and more people are beginning to break free from the shackles of traditional concepts and look at green and related things with a more open and inclusive attitude.
Reflection on the metaphor of “green hat”
At the same time, more and more people are beginning to reflect on the rationality and fairness of the metaphor of “green hat”. They believe that it is unfair to simply associate unfaithful behavior with green hats, and it is also a prejudice and discrimination against women. Therefore, some people have begun to call for abandoning this outdated concept and looking at marriage and loyalty issues with a more rational and objective attitude.