Ming Dynasty Beliefs

In times of despair and change throughout the various dynasties in China, the Chinese have always considered festivities to be an escape from daily hardships and a time of enjoyment. Specifically focusing on the Ming Dynasty, fictional and dramatic stories were performed, written, and celebrated more during this time than past dynasties. These stories involved different “themes, images, and symbols” that resembled “myths and folk tales” told by story tellers not only from the Ming Dynasty but also from the Song and Yuan dynasties. The majority of the stories contained “realistic portrayals of life” but were written in a way that provided entertainment for the readers, and these stories were soon turned into festivities to celebrate. One of
the most celebrated festivals in the Ming Dynasty was the “Dragon Boat Race”. This festival was celebrated by different regions of China as a sports competition every year. The Dragon Boat Race was not only a popular celebration, but it was also a period of unification between different communities in China as well as a time of rest from the hard labors of everyday life.