三月三，汉族及多个少数民族的传统节日，时在农历三月初三。古称上巳节，是一个纪念黄帝的节日。相传三月三是黄帝的诞辰。三月三可推到追念伏羲氏。伏羲和其妹女娲抟土造人，繁衍后代，豫东一带尊称伏羲为“人祖爷”，在淮阳（伏羲建都地）建起太昊陵古庙，由农历二月二到三月三为太昊陵庙会，善男信女，南船北马，都云集陵区，朝拜人祖。江淮、江南一带，每年农历三月三称为鬼节，传说这一天鬼魂出没，夜晚，家家户户在自家每间房屋里鸣放鞭炮，来吓走鬼、驱鬼。
Formerly known as "Shangsi Festival", the March 3rd Festival is a traditional festival observed by the Han people and a number of ethnic minority groups. In ancient times, the first Si day (according to the year numbering system by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches) was called "Shangsi" and celebrated as a festival. Most of the time, March 3rd of the lunar calendar happened to be a Si day. So, after the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Shangsi Festival was set on the third of lunar March and renamed "the March 3rd Festival". Originally March 3rd was more focused on religious activities to ward off disaster and keep evil spirits at bay as well as to pray for having children. The activities included sacrificial rituals in honor of Goddess Gao Mei, "Fu Xi" (a bathing ritual) and get-togethers attended by young men and women etc.
Gao Mei is the Goddess of Marriage and Childbearing. People would pray her for childbearing through sacrificial rituals. Meanwhile, "Fu Xi" was carried out to get rid of ailments by bathing. It was believed to cure women's infertility. And get-togethers through spring outings provided a chance for young men and women to get to know each other and to seek future significant others. Such gatherings were also aimed at marriage and childbearing. In addition, activities like floating eggs, dates and wine cups on the river were also held.