Dozens of hanfu enthusiasts wear the traditional Chinese clothing and gathered in Shen Family's Residence in Putuo district on March 21 to participate in a traditional Huazhao Festival. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

Dozens of hanfu enthusiasts wore the traditional Chinese clothing and gathered in Shen Family's Residence in Putuo district, Zhoushan on March 21 to participate in a traditional flower festival, local media reported.

The festival was unveiled by a float parade with 12 Flower Goddesses on board, followed by a sacrificial ceremony for the Flower Goddesses to pray for a peaceful and harvest year.

Traditional folk activities like a hanfu showcase by the enthusiasts were also held during the event.

"Hanfu not only represents a traditional clothing culture, but also displays the aesthetics of life," said Liu Siji, curator of Putuo Museum, adding that the event integrated the traditional culture in the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) dynasties, with the Huazhao Festival bolstering enthusiasm for traditonal culture from more people.

The flower festival celebrations were sponsored by the culture, broadcast, television, tourism, and sports bureau of Putuo district, as well as were organized by Putuo Museum.

With a history of over 2,000 years, the Huazhao Festival is held in celebration of the flower goddess' birthday. Since the climate varies in different parts of China, people hold celebrations on the second, 12th, or 15th day of February in the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to ancient beliefs, the flower goddess controlled the reproduction of mankind. Due to the primitive lifestyle and agriculture-dominated economy, people held that the more members a family has, the merrier. Thus, it later became a custom to celebrate the birthday of the flower goddess for prosperity.