Culture

Halloween, a night of ghosts, goblins, and candy, has its roots in ancient Celtic traditions. Originating as the Celtic festival of Samhain, Halloween marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The tradition of trick-or-treating evolved from the practice of offering food or money to wandering spirits to ward off evil. Halloween 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, October 31, marking another year of spooky festivities rooted in ancient history. This beloved holiday is famous for its costumes, candy, and chilling decorations, but its origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Over 2,000 years ago, the Celts, living in what is now Ireland, the UK, and northern France, celebrated Samhain to mark the end of the harvest and the be...

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival typically corresponds to mid-September to early October in the Gregorian calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. This is a traditional Chinese celebration that takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Typically it falls between mid-September and early October. In 2024, it will be celebrated on September 17. Moreover, this festival marks the end of the harvest season and is an occasion for families to gather, share mooncakes, and appreciate the beauty of the full moon. China Cultu...

China has announced plans to gradually increase the retirement age for both men and women for the first time since the 1950s. Under the new policy, the retirement age for men will be increased from 60 to 65 for five years. Meanwhile, the retirement age for women will rise from 55 to 60. China announced it would gradually raise its retirement age for the first time since the 1950s. This decision aims to address the country’s ageing population and the strain on its pension system. However, it has been met with mixed reactions. Currently, China’s retirement age is one of the lowest in the world. The new plan, starting in January 2025, will raise the retirement age for men from 60 to 63 by 2040. For women in white-collar jobs, the age will increase from 55 to 58, while those in blue-col...

Today, as the world marks another Friday the 13th, many people are feeling a sense of unease or even fear. This superstition, which has been around for centuries, is rooted in a combination of historical, cultural, and psychological factors. Friday the 13th is a date many people see as unlucky. The fear surrounding it has developed over hundreds of years, but in reality, it's just another day on the calendar. The idea of Friday the 13th being unlucky comes from old stories and traditions, especially in Western culture. Origins of the Superstition The number 13 has often been seen as unlucky in Western culture. Some people believe this goes back to the Bible, where Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Friday also has negative associations, as some beli...