You may have heard of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, which is the most important traditional festival in China. But did you know that the celebration of the New Year does not end on the first day of the lunar month, but lasts until the fifteenth day, which is the Lantern Festival?
What is the Lantern Festival? And what are its special meanings and customs? Let me introduce you to this festival of light and love.
The Origin of the Chinese Lantern Festival
The history of the Lantern Festival can be traced back to more than two thousand years ago, during the Han Dynasty. There are different explanations for its origin. One of them is that the Lantern Festival was to commemorate the restoration of the Liu family’s throne by Emperor Wen, who quelled a rebellion by his relatives. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the capital city was decorated with lanterns and streamers to celebrate. Another explanation is that the Lantern Festival was influenced by Buddhism, because the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was the day of the miraculous transformation of Buddha Shakyamuni. Emperor Ming ordered to light lanterns in the palace and the temples to worship the Buddha. Later, this custom spread to the people and became the main activity of the Lantern Festival.
Regardless of which explanation, the Lantern Festival is an ancient and lively festival, which is not only a continuation of the New Year, but also a symbol of the beginning of a new cycle and the revival of nature. The name of the Lantern Festival also has different interpretations. Some say it is because the first lunar month is the first month of the lunar calendar, and the ancient people called the night “xiao”, so the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival. Some say it is because the main food eaten on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is called “yuanxiao”, so this day is called the Lantern Festival. Some say it is because the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the day of the blessing of the heavenly official, so it is also called the Upper Yuan Festival.
The customs of the Chinese Lantern Festival
The customs of the Lantern Festival are many, but the main ones are two: admiring the lanterns and eating the yuanxiao.
Admiring the lanterns is the most characteristic activity of the Lantern Festival, and also one of the most representative forms of art in Chinese traditional culture. Lanterns are a kind of lamps made of paper, silk, bamboo and other materials, usually with various colors and shapes, some of which can even change dynamically, very beautiful. The content of the lanterns is also rich, some depicting historical stories, some reflecting social reality, some showing folk customs, some implying good luck. On the night of the Lantern Festival, people go to the streets or parks to watch all kinds of lanterns, or make their own lanterns and hang them in front of the door or window, to create a festive atmosphere.
While admiring the lanterns, people also participate in a fun game, which is guessing the lantern riddles. Lantern riddles are a kind of word game, usually using techniques such as homophones, antitheses, puns, etc. to create difficulty, and let people guess a character, a word or an idiom. The answer of the lantern riddle often has a profound meaning or a humorous effect, which can test people’s intelligence and imagination. On the night of the Lantern Festival, people write the lantern riddles on small pieces of paper and stick them on the lanterns, and let everyone guess. The one who guesses correctly can get some small prizes, or the favor of the other party.
Eating the yuanxiao is another important custom of the Lantern Festival, and also the main food of this festival. Yuanxiao are small balls made of glutinous rice flour, with sweet fillings, such as sesame, bean paste, peanut, etc. They are boiled and coated with a layer of white sugar or honey, and taste soft and sweet, very delicious. The name of the yuanxiao and the name of the festival are the same, and there are different explanations. Some say it is because they are shaped like the full moon, some say it is because they sound like reunion, some say it is because they mean primitive, implying a new start. Anyway, eating the yuanxiao is an essential food for the Lantern Festival, which symbolizes reunion and happiness, and is people’s wish for a good life.
In addition to admiring the lanterns and eating the yuanxiao, the Lantern Festival also has some other customs, such as setting off fireworks, dancing the dragon and the lion, walking on stilts, rowing the dry boat, etc. These are all folk features of different regions in China, reflecting the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people.
The significance of the Chinese Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is a traditional festival in China, which is not only the end of the New Year, but also the beginning of the new year. In this festival, people use light and love to celebrate life, use wisdom and humor to entertain themselves, use food and blessings to warm each other. The Lantern Festival is a miniature of Chinese culture, which shows the history, beliefs, emotions and values of the Chinese people. The Lantern Festival is a festival worth cherishing and inheriting, which makes us feel the charm and warmth of China.
