East Asian Taoism Major Taoist Holidays in 2020 - 2021 Share Flipboard Email Print Chinese New Year Lion. Taoism Principles Origins By Elizabeth Reninger Elizabeth Reninger Taoism Expert M.S., Sociology and Philosophy, University of Wisconsin–Madison B.S., Mathematics and Women's Studies, Northwestern University M.S.O.M., Southwest Acupuncture College–Santa Fe Elizabeth Reninger is a Taoist practitioner of qigong, acupuncture, and tuina massage. She is the author of several books on spirituality, including "Physics, Philosophy & Nondual Spiritual Inquiry." Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 17, 2019 Taoist celebrate many of the traditional Chinese holidays, and many of them are shared by some of the other related religious traditions of China, including Buddhism and Confucianism. The dates of they are celebrated may vary from region to region, but the dates given below correspond to the official Chinese dates as they fall in the western Gregorian calendar. Laba Festival Celebrated on 8th day of the 12th month of the Chinese Calendar, the Laba festival corresponds to the day when the Buddha became enlightened according to tradition. 2019: January 132020: January 2 Chinese New Year This marks the first day in the year in the Chinese calendar, which is marked by the full moon between January 21 and February 20. 2019: February 52020: January 25 Lantern Festival The lantern festival is the celebration of the first full moon of the year. This is also the birthday of Tianguan, a Taoist god of good fortune. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. 2019: February 192020: February 8 Tomb Sweeping Day Tomb Sweeping Day originated in the Tang Dynasty, when Emperor Xuanzong decreed that celebration of ancestors would be limited to a single day of the year. It is celebrated on the 15th day after the spring equinox. 2019: April 52020: April 4 Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) This traditional Chinese festival is held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. Several meanings are ascribed to Duanwu: a celebration of masculine energy (dragon are regarded as masculine symbols); a time of respect for elders; or a commemoration of death of the poet Qu Yuan. 2019: June 72020: June 25 Ghost (Hungry Ghost) Festival This is a festival of veneration for the dead. It is held on the 15th night of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar. 2019: August 152020: September 2 Mid-Autumn Festival This fall harvest festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It is a traditional ethnic celebration of Chinese and Vietnamese people. 2019: September 132020: October 1 Double Ninth Day This is a day of respect for ancestors, held on the ninth day of the ninth month in lunar calendar. 2019: October 72020: October 25 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Reninger, Elizabeth. "Major Taoist Holidays in 2020 - 2021." Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/major-taoist-holidays-2015-3182910. Reninger, Elizabeth. (2020, August 26). Major Taoist Holidays in 2020 - 2021. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/major-taoist-holidays-2015-3182910 Reninger, Elizabeth. "Major Taoist Holidays in 2020 - 2021." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/major-taoist-holidays-2015-3182910 (accessed April 1, 2023). copy citation