The Lantern Festival is an important festival in China, which falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, also known as the first full moon night after the Spring Festival. The Lantern Festival has a profound history and cultural connotation, it is not only a day for family reunion, praying and wishing, but also a time for enjoying the beautiful lights and participating in various activities. In this article, I will introduce you to the origin, features and significance of the lantern festival lanterns, and let you feel the charm of Chinese culture.
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The Origin of the Lantern Festival Lanterns
The origin of the lantern festival lanterns is related to an ancient love story. The story goes that there was a loving couple, Houyi and Chang’e, who were forced to separate because of a pill of immortality. Chang’e flew to the moon, while Houyi stayed on the earth. Houyi missed Chang’e very much, so he lit lanterns and flower lanterns on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, hoping to see Chang’e. Later, people also learned from Houyi, and set the fifteenth day of the first lunar month as the Lantern Festival, using lanterns and flower lanterns to express their longing and blessing for their loved ones.
The meaning of the lantern festival lanterns is not only to commemorate love, but also to celebrate reunion and harmony. The Lantern Festival is the end of the Spring Festival, and the beginning of the new year. On this day, people will eat yuanxiao, also called tangyuan, with their families, which means reunion and happiness. Yuanxiao also has another name, called “Shangyuan Festival”, which means the festival of the heaven. People believe that the Lantern Festival is the day when the gods descend to inspect the human world, so they use lanterns and flower lanterns to illuminate the road, showing welcome and respect. At the same time, people also pray for the blessing and protection of the gods, and hope for a peaceful and smooth new year.
The Features of the Lantern Festival Lanterns
The lantern festival lanterns are a unique light art, which have a long history and a variety of types. The origin of the lanterns can be traced back to ancient times, when they were used as tools for lighting. Later, lanterns gradually became a form of decoration and art, especially on the Lantern Festival, the production and display of lanterns reached a high level of development. The materials for making lanterns include paper, bamboo, silk, glass, metal, etc., and the shapes and colors of lanterns are also different, some lanterns can also change dynamically, increasing the fun and attractiveness. There are many types of lanterns, such as the following:
Palace Lanterns
Palace lanterns are a kind of classical lanterns, which are shaped like an inverted cone, usually made of red paper or silk, and painted with auspicious patterns, such as dragons, phoenixes, birds, longevity characters, etc. The name of the palace lanterns comes from the fact that they were originally used for the palace, and later spread to the folk, becoming a common lantern.
Candle Lanterns
Candle lanterns are a kind of simple lanterns, which are shaped like a small box, with a candle inside, and wrapped with transparent paper or glass, so that the candle light can shine through. The feature of the candle lanterns is that they are easy to make and carry, and can be hung on branches or windows, or held by hand, increasing the liveliness of the light.
Flower Lanterns
Flower lanterns are a kind of creative lanterns, which imitate the shapes and colors of various flowers, such as peony, chrysanthemum, lotus, etc. The craftsmanship of the flower lanterns is very fine, and various materials and skills are used to shape the petals, stamens, branches and other details, making the lanterns look realistic and beautiful. The meaning of the flower lanterns is to wish for prosperity and wealth, and a colorful life.
Lantern Groups
Lantern groups are a kind of large-scale lanterns, which are composed of multiple small lanterns, forming a complete scene or story. The theme of the lantern groups is usually derived from history, mythology, folklore, etc., and some lantern groups are also equipped with music, dialogue, action, etc., making the lantern groups more vivid and interesting. The production of the lantern groups requires a lot of manpower and material resources, and is a kind of advanced lantern art.
The Significance of the Lantern Festival Lantern Show
The lantern festival lantern show is a major feature of the Lantern Festival, which is a collective activity of displaying and appreciating lanterns. The history of the lantern festival lantern show can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, when the emperor held a grand lantern show in the palace and the capital to celebrate the Lantern Festival, and let the people participate in it, enjoying the beauty of the lights and the atmosphere of the festival. Since then, the lantern festival lantern show has become a traditional custom in China, and has been passed down to this day. Every Lantern Festival, all over the country, people will make various kinds of lanterns, hold lantern shows, and attract thousands of tourists.
The Bottom Line
The lantern festival lantern show is not only a visual enjoyment, but also a spiritual communication. In the lantern show, people can walk and stop with their families, friends, lovers, watch the lights, exchange feelings, and enhance their relationships. In the lantern show, people can also interact with strangers, foreigners, tourists, share stories, exchange cultures, and expand their horizons. In the lantern show, people can also meditate with themselves, with the heaven and earth, and with the gods, pray for their wishes, be grateful for their lives, and seek peace. The lantern festival lantern show is a bridge that connects people with people, people with nature, and people with gods. It is a platform that showcases Chinese culture, inherits Chinese spirit, and promotes Chinese values.
