Holidays! Trivia Quiz

The Chinese follow the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. As a result, their new year falls anytime between the end of January to the end of February, depending on the new moon. The Lantern Festival marks the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The lanterns are generally red as the colour symbolizes good luck in the Chinese culture.

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem. Based on the Hebrew calendar, it may occur any time from late November to late December. It is observed over a period of eight nights and days (Jewish days, and therefore their festivals, begin from sunset). During the festival, a nine-branched candelabrum called the menorah is lit. Hanukkah is sometimes also called the Jewish festival of lights.

Halloween is celebrated on the 31st of October. It is based on the Western Christian tradition of All Hallows' Eve which commemorates the dead. Popular celebrations include costume parties, carving of pumpkin lanterns, and children going around houses playing "Trick or Treat".

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is considered the most important Christian festival. According to the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified on Good Friday. After three days, he rose from the dead, bringing alive the message of the Gospels. Since the festival coincides with the pagan spring festivals in the Northern Hemisphere, the bunny rabbit has become associated with Easter.

The Easter Bunny brings chocolate eggs and other small treats for children.

Valentine's Day originated as the Feast of St. Valentine. There are many myths surrounding this date and the reason why it is associated with love and lovers. Some sources claim St. Valentine helped couples secretly get married, resulting in his feast day being celebrated for love. Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 14th of February.

However, some cultures, including countries in the Middle East and Asia, have banned these celebrations considering them antithetical to their traditional societies.

Despite its name, the festival is actually held mainly in the month of September. Originating in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is now held in many places around the world, especially those with a larger proportion of people of German heritage. Held annually since 1810, the celebrations are known for a large beer festival and a travelling carnival.

Remembrance Day is held annually on the 11th of November to commemorate the end of World War I, this being the date of the Armistice in 1918 which brought fighting to an end. This is observed in most of the countries who are members of the British Commonwealth.

Initially known as Armistice Day, the name Remembrance Day was adopted after World War II. It is also sometimes known as Poppy Day as red poppies have come to symbolize the occasion.

Eid-al-Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. In Islamic tradition, it commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to prove his obedience to Allah. At the last minute, Allah provides a lamb to be sacrificed, sparing the son. Muslims sacrifice goats or other animals on this day and share the meat with their family and neighbours.

Note, this account is also found in the Torah. However, in Jewish and Christian traditions, Isaac is the son who was about to be sacrificed by Abraham.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to the Hindu epic "Ramayana", Hindu god Ram finally returned to his kingdom after spending twenty years in exile. To welcome him, the inhabitants lit up the city with hundreds of oil lamps called diyas.

Most Christian denominations celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, though there are some like the Orthodox communities who celebrate it on a different date. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Messiah who came to save the world, according to Christian beliefs.

The holiday has now become more of a secular celebration in many parts of the world as a time to wind down at the end of the year and spend time with family.