The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, the Little New Year, the Yuan Xi or the Lantern Festival, is one of the traditional festivals in China, which is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year. There are two theories about the origin of the Lantern Festival:
1.Buddhism Turns on the Lights to Worship the Buddha: The origin of the Lantern Festival is related to Buddhism. During the period when a certain person in power in the Western Han Dynasty advocated Buddhism, Buddhism lit a lamp on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year to worship the Buddha. In order to echo the preferences of those in power, the eunuchs and magnates also held lantern festivals on this day, and gradually formed the custom of the Lantern Festival.
2.According to the Taoist Sanyuan saying, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Shangyuan Festival, which is the day when the heavenly officials bless, the local officials forgive their sins, and the water officials relieve their misfortunes. It is a festival to pray for a good harvest, peace and happiness.
The customs and activities of the Lantern Festival are rich and diverse, mainly including:
1.Lantern viewing: On the night of the Lantern Festival, a grand lantern parade will be held in various places, and the public will enjoy a variety of unique and colorful lanterns.
2.Eating Tangyuan: Eating Tangyuan during the Lantern Festival means reunion and symbolizes family happiness and contentment. The ingredients used to make the dumplings include glutinous rice flour, fillings (such as bean paste, sesame seeds, peanuts, etc.), and water.
3.Fireworks: During the Lantern Festival, fireworks are set off to add to the festive atmosphere.
4.Lion Dance and Yangge Twisting: Lion Dance and Yangge Twisting are popular folk performances during the Lantern Festival, symbolizing auspiciousness, festivity and prosperity.
5.Hanging red lanterns: During the Lantern Festival, families will hang red lanterns to decorate the lintel, symbolizing good luck in the coming year.
6.Lantern festivals in parks and scenic spots: Lantern festivals will be held in parks and scenic spots to attract tourists.
7.Guessing lantern riddles: Guessing lantern riddles is an interesting activity of the Lantern Festival, which can not only enrich folk culture, but also enhance the relationship between relatives and friends.
In short, the Lantern Festival is a lively, festive and reunion festival, and the folk have the saying that "after the Lantern Festival, the year is over". On this day, various activities are held to celebrate the arrival of the new year.