Lantern Festival in China

Date

The Lantern Festival, known as Yuan Xiao Jie (元宵节), is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, marking the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

History

The festival has a history dating back over 2000 years and is rooted in various legends and customs. One popular origin story involves a heavenly bird that was hunted down by villagers; to make amends, a deity ordered the town to display lanterns each year on this day. It's also linked to Taoist and Buddhist traditions where lighting lanterns symbolized following Buddha's teachings.

Traditions

• Lantern Display: People craft and exhibit intricate lanterns of various shapes and sizes. Public spaces are adorned with these colorful lanterns symbolizing hope and good fortune.
• Riddle Guessing: Often written on paper attached to lanterns, riddles offer a playful activity for attendees to engage in intellectual games.
• Eating Tangyuan: The consumption of Tangyuan, glutinous rice balls typically filled with sweet red bean paste or sesame paste, is central. These round balls symbolize family unity and completeness.
• Performances: Dragon dances, lion dances, and other cultural performances are common sights adding vibrancy to celebrations.
• Fireworks: Firecrackers and fireworks displays are common during the night as they were historically believed to ward off evil spirits.

What People Do

During the festival, families gather for meals, enjoy the lit lanterns at nightfall, share Tangyuan, solve riddles on the lanterns together for fun, watch traditional performances in public areas or participate themselves, set off fireworks or firecrackers if permitted locally. The Lantern Festival serves as a joyous conclusion to the extended festivities of Chinese New Year.