2008 Cultural Events

20th Annual Quincy Lunar New Year Festival - (Video)

Press Releases Lunar new Year 2006 August Moon 2005 Lunar New Year 2005

Getting Involved Volunteer Opportunities Sponsorship Opportunities

Asian Folk Stories Story of the August Moon Story of the Chinese Zodiac

Lunar New Year and August Moon Festivals in the City of Quincy

Bringing together the Asian community to celebrate Asian heritage. Each year, Quincy Asian Resources has planned and organized the Lunar New Year and August Moon Festival for the city of Quincy. Much of the success of these festivals have been dependent on the commitment and participation of volunteers. One of Quincy Asian Resources largest group of volunteer participants have been from North Quincy High School. Over 100 high school students took part in this past August Moon Festival. In addition, local business owners and social service organizations also participate on the day of these events by setting up vendor or informational booths.
 

The Quincy Lunar New Year Festival was held at North Quincy High School in February 2006. Entertainment and cultural dances were performed throughout the day. A counted total of 4,000 people packed the high school to enjoy Asian food, entertainment and activities. Vendors showcased their products and services throughout the gymnasium of the school.

In August 2005, the 18th annual Quincy August Moon Festival was held at Kam Man Marketplace in President's Plaza. An estimated number of at least 6,000 people attended. More than seventy vendor booths advertised their wares and passed out information to people at the festival. Entertainment included a traditional Lion Dance, Dragon dance, Gong Fu demonstration, Japanese Bass Drum and a fashion show put on by students of North Quincy High School.

 The first annual Lunar New Year Banquet was held the night before at International Buffet in Quincy. It was a night to honor volunteers and invite the community to share in a celebration dinner
 

 

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The August Moon Festival is one of two large festivals celebrated by many Asians each year. The festival celebrates the advent of the harvest season and commemorates the ascension of the goddess Chan-O to the Moon Palace. Many variations of the legend of Chang-O exist; each different in its portrayal of Chang-O's character and her relationship with her husband Hou Yi. Some legends portray Chang-O as a foolish woman who steals the Pill of Immortality from her husband and selfishly takes it because of her fear of aging and growing ugly. Other legends portray her as a heroine who steals the Pill from her husband; a cruel, tyrannical king, to prevent him from using it for his own selfish gain. However, all legends tell about the life of the god, Hou Yi, and his wife, Chang-O (sometimes referred to as (Ch'ang Er'n), the most beautiful woman imaginable.

The base of the legend is as follows: The Jade Emperor in Heaven had many sons. In order to give light to the Earth, the emperor changed his sons into suns. However, rather than working hard to help the people of Earth have a better life, the Emperor's son were disobedient and reckless. Upon seeing the destruction and death casued by his wayward sons, the Jade Emperor ordered Hou Yi, a great archer, to persuade his many sons to stop wreaking havoc upon the Earth. In order to coplete his mission, Hou Yi and his wife Chang-O descended to the Earth, thereby relinquishing their immortality. Once on Earth, Hou Yi tried every way he could think of to convince the Emperor's sons to stop their unruly behavior, but the sons refused to listen. After all attempts to persuade the Emperor's sons failed, Hou Yi fired his magic bow at them, killing all but one. The one remaining son (sun) then promised to work obediently in exchange for Hou Yi sparing his life. After that incident, Hou Yi remained on Earth. Out of admiration and gratitude for Hou Yi's courageous feat, the people of the Eastern Kingdom made him King. As King, Hou Yi had many adventures, one of which resulted in him obtaining the Pill of Immortality. If two people shared the pill, they would become immortal. If one person took the pill, he or she would ascend into Heaven. Regardless of the variation of the story, they all say, Chang-O got the pill and took it. However, instead of reaching Heaven, Chang-O ascended to the Moon ,where she now presides over the Moon Palace. Legend says that on the August 15th of the Lunar calendar, especially when the moon is full, Chang-O's face appears on the moon and fills all who see her with awe. ^back to top

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is defined in 12 year cycles. Each of the years in the 12 year cycle is represented by an animal from the Chinese zodiac. The story of the Chinese zodiac goes that the Jade Emperor had invited all animals to come to his palace and by the order that they arrived he would assign them their own year.

The rat and the cat had heard about this news and were planning on going. However, the cat ended up taking a nap and the rat who did not want the cat as competition did not wake him up so it ran off on its own.

The rat ended arriving the first and got the first year assigned to it. The cat found out about the rats deception, and that is why they have continued to be sworn enemies to this day. Following the rat came the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and finally the pig. ^back to top

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Quincy Asian Resources, 1509 Hancock St., Ste. 209, Quincy, MA 02169
phn: (617) 472-2200 fax: 472-2299