The 2023 Flower Festival in Yichang

By Zeng Lei, Yichang International Communication Studio

The 2023 Flower Festival was held in Yichang at Zhenjiang Pavilion in Binjiang Park on April 9. Thirteen actresses dressed as Flora Gods and gave a stage performance, attracting nearly 1,000 attendees, especially fans of Hanfu (the traditional dress of the Han Chinese people).

The festival includes the blessing of the Gods of Flower, music and dance performances, the parade of the Flora Gods, traditional games and a tour through a flower market.

Flower Festival, also known as the Flower God Festival, is held on the 12th day of the second month of the lunar calendar each year. Since the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), the Flower Festival has become a major folk festival and one of the most important traditional festivals in China. The 13 gods are composed of 12 Flora Gods representing the 12 lunar months and one leader god. The 12 gods are derived from the following flowers (in sequence of the lunar months): plum flower, apricot flower, peach flower, peony, pomegranate flower, lotus, hosta, osmanthus, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, camellia and daffodil.