On the twelfth day of the first lunar month of the Lunar New Year, a special custom is practiced in most parts of China, and that is to "build a lantern shed". This event is not only a further creation of the festive atmosphere, but also a respect and inheritance of ancient traditions. On this day, whether in the city or in the countryside, every household participates in it and prays for good luck and happiness for the new year.
1. Ride
The first step in building a lantern shed is to build a lantern shed. The construction of the lantern shed requires careful selection, usually in front of the house or in the central square of the village. The materials used for construction are also very particular, and bamboo and colored paper are generally used. Bamboo is used as a skeleton, strong and durable, and colored paper is used to decorate, which is colorful and festive.
Building a lantern shed is a job that requires skill and patience. Skillful craftsmen will follow the traditional pattern to build a variety of auspicious patterns, such as dragons, phoenixes, lions, etc. The whole lantern shed has an exquisite structure and colorful colors, which makes people shine. During the construction process, people collaborated with each other, chatting about their daily routines while pasting pieces of colored paper on the skeleton. As the lantern shed gradually took shape, people's faces were filled with joy and satisfaction.
2. Eat
On the day of the "lantern shed", every family prepares a sumptuous dinner. It's not just about celebrating this special holiday, it's about family reunion.
Every household has a special dish on their table – fish. In Chinese culture, fish symbolizes the abundance of each year and is a symbol of good luck. In addition, every household will also prepare some auspicious dishes, such as rice cakes, dumplings, etc. These foods are not only delicious, but also carry people's best wishes for the new year.
In addition to the food, there is also a special dessert on the twelfth day of the first lunar month - Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival is a round snack made from glutinous rice flour with different fillings, including sesame seeds, peanuts, walnuts, and many other options. The taste of the Lantern Festival is soft and glutinous and sweet, and it is a must-eat delicacy for every household on this day. On this day, the market is also bustling with lantern stalls on both sides of the street, and people come in an endless stream to buy and taste this unique delicacy.
3. Don't do it
On the day of "building a lantern tent", there are some special taboos and customs that need to be observed. One of the most important points is not to quarrel or fight. In Chinese culture, the New Year is an auspicious month, and if there is a dispute or conflict during the New Year, it is believed to bring bad luck. Therefore, on this day, people pay extra attention to their words and deeds and avoid conflicts with people.
In addition, there are some other taboos, such as not breaking things, not saying unlucky things, etc. Although these taboos may seem superstitious, they are people's expectations and prayers for a better life in the new year.
While respecting these traditional customs, we should cherish these cultural heritages that have endured for thousands of years. In today's fast-paced era, many traditional customs are being forgotten or neglected. However, activities such as "building lantern sheds" are not only the inheritance and promotion of ancient traditions, but also the promotion of family harmony and social harmony. By participating in such activities, we can not only feel the charm of traditional culture, but also experience the warmth and beauty of family reunion and neighborhood harmony.
At the end of the day, every household will dismantle the lantern shed. The process of disassembly is also very particular, and the colored paper must be carefully removed one by one so that it cannot be damaged or leave traces. Although the process is somewhat tedious and laborious, people are willing to do it because they know that it is a sign of respect for tradition and anticipation for the new year. The dismantled colored paper will not be discarded, but will be collected for next year's reuse. This is also the saving of materials and the protection of the environment.
In general, the traditional custom of "building a lantern shed" is not only to create a festive atmosphere, but also to promote family harmony and social harmony. By participating in this activity, we can not only feel the charm of traditional culture, but also experience the warmth and beauty of family reunion and neighborhood harmony. It is hoped that more people can understand and participate in this traditional custom, and jointly inherit and promote this precious cultural heritage.