Lunar March 3 Festival

Girls from southeast China's Taiwan province sing and dance during the traditional singing festival of the Zhuang ethnic group, in Guilin, a tourist resort in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

March 3 on the Chinese lunar calendar is a traditional festival celebrated by many nationalities with varying methods across China. Formerly known as the "Shangsi Festival," it is observed by the Han people and a number of ethnic minority groups.

In ancient times, the first Si day (according to the year numbering system by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches) was called "Shangsi" and celebrated as a festival. Most of the time, March 3 of the lunar calendar happened to be a Si day. So, after the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Shangsi Festival was set on the third day of the third lunar month and renamed "the March 3 Festival". Originally March 3rd was more focused on religious activities to ward off disaster and keep evil spirits at bay as well as to pray for having children. The activities included sacrificial rituals in honor of Goddess Gao Mei, "Fu Xi" (a bathing ritual) and get-togethers attended by young men and women etc.

A girl in national attire attends a celebration for the traditional singing festival of the Zhuang ethnic group, in Guilin, a tourist resort in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Gao Mei is the Goddess of Marriage and Childbearing. People would pray her for childbearing through sacrificial rituals. Meanwhile, "Fu Xi" was carried out to get rid of ailments by bathing. It was believed to cure women's infertility. Get-togethers such as spring outings provided a chance for young men and women to get to know each other and to seek future significant others. Such gatherings were also aimed at marriage and childbearing. In addition, activities like floating eggs, dates and wine cups on the river were also held.