New Year's lantern hanging meaning and legend
Hanging lanterns on New Year's is an important custom in traditional Chinese culture, which not only adds a festive atmosphere to the festival, but also contains rich meanings and legends.
The origin of lanterns can be traced back to ancient times. Legend has it that a long time ago, there was a fierce monster called "Nian", which would come out at the end of every year to harm the people. In order to drive away the "year", people invented lanterns. The light of the lantern and the red color can scare off the "year" and keep people safe. Since then, hanging lanterns has become one of the important customs of the New Year, symbolizing the exorcism of evil spirits and the prayer for peace.
In addition to legends, hanging lanterns also has many beautiful meanings. The lantern is often seen as a symbol of good luck, representing reunion, happiness, and prosperity. The red lantern symbolizes enthusiasm, vitality and good luck. In the New Year, people hang red lanterns to wish for family reunion and happiness, as well as for good fortune and good fortune in the new year
In addition, the different shapes of lanterns also have their own meanings. For example, a round lantern symbolizes completeness and completeness, while a square lantern represents squareness and stability. There are also lanterns with various patterns painted on them, such as the word for blessing, the word for longevity, flowers, etc., which contain good wishes and meanings.
On New Year's night, the light of lanterns illuminates the streets. People weave through the brightly lit streets and feel the festive atmosphere. Children with small lanterns in their hands ran and frolicked happily, their laughter echoing in the air. The presence of lanterns makes the New Year more warm and lively.
The traditional custom of hanging lanterns on the New Year is not only a cultural inheritance, but also people's yearning and expectation for a better life. It makes us feel warmth and joy in the cold winter day, and it also fills us with hope for the new year.