The custom of hanging lanterns during the Lantern Festival stems from a variety of factors.
First of all, the hanging lanterns of the Lantern Festival are related to the religious activities of the ancient folk "worship the Taiyi God". According to historical records, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty on the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year, would put up lanterns and pray with great fanfare, in order to bless the world with the god Taiyi. This court practice gradually spread to the people, forming the custom of hanging lamps on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Secondly, hanging lanterns during the Lantern Festival is also related to Buddhist culture. During the Yongping period of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in order to promote Buddhism, he ordered to burn lamps in the palace and temples on the fifteenth night of the first lunar month to worship the Buddha. This practice later spread to the people, forming the tradition of hanging lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year.
In addition, the origin of lantern lighting in folklore adds to the mystery of this custom. Legend has it that the daughter of the kind-hearted Emperor of Heaven told people about the lanterns of the Lantern Festival in order to save the world. Therefore, people also hang lanterns to commemorate the daughter of the kind Emperor of Heaven and to pray for peace and happiness in the coming year.
To sum up, the custom of hanging lanterns during the Lantern Festival stems from various factors such as ancient religious activities, Buddhist culture, and folklore. This traditional custom not only enriches the celebration form of the Lantern Festival, but also inherits and promotes the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. At the same time, as one of the important symbols of the Lantern Festival, the lantern represents happiness, light, vitality, fulfillment, family reunion and a prosperous career.