On warm spring breezy nights, when the sky full of stars is expanded by colorful lanterns, the streets and alleys of China are immersed in the festive rituals of the Lantern Festival. This traditional festival celebrating the 15th day of the first lunar month not only embellishes the successful conclusion of the celebration of the Spring Festival, but also reflects the Chinese cultural heritage
The origin of the Lantern Festival
The history of the Lantern Festival dates back to the Han Dynasty and was originally associated with the ancient custom of lighting lights. In those days, lanterns were lit on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to dispel the haze and cold of winter and welcome the arrival of spring. The custom evolved into a celebration in which people celebrate peace and harvest by lighting lamps and setting off fireworks, as well as praying for good luck and happiness in the coming year.
According to legend, the Lantern Festival is also associated with an ancient legend. Legend has it that there was a beautiful mythical bird who fell to the earth because of the pursuit of hunters and was rescued by a kind one. In order to repay the kindness, the divine bird flew back to the heavenly realm to the Jade Emperor The Jade Emperor decided to order the burning of the human world in order to punish the sins of the world. The divine bird could not bear the disaster of human beings, and went down to earth in advance to inform the others. To protect themselves, they hung lanterns and set off fireworks on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, pretending that the village had been wiped out by the flames. When the Jade Emperor's heavenly soldiers and generals saw this, they mistakenly thought that the real fire had broken out, and the human world was thus spared. Since then, hanging lanterns and setting off fireworks have become traditions for the celebration of the Lantern Festival.
With the passage of time, the celebration of the Lantern Festival has become more and more colorful, the sweet Lantern Festival in the north and the soft glutinous rice balls in the south not only satisfy the enjoyment of the taste buds, but also imply the sweetness of life and the harmony of the family. In addition, activities such as fireworks, lantern viewing, dragon and lion dances, drumming and traditional opera all make the festival full of laughter.
The Lantern Festival is not only a traditional festival unique to China, it echoes the light festivals around the world to some extent, showing the common aspirations of mankind and the form of celebration. For example, Diwali (Diwali) in India and Loy Krathong (Loy Krathong) in Thailand are both light-centric celebrations that share striking similarities with the Lantern Festival in form and form, while also showcasing their own unique cultural characteristics.
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Diwali in India
Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and goodness over **. In this festival, thousands of lanterns are lit in homes and streets, as opposed to hanging lanterns during the Lantern Festival, however, the celebration of Diwali also includes the worship of the God of Wealth, family gatherings, and fireworks, which not only triggers the beginning of the new lunar year, but also the beginning of the commercial year, which is different from the Lantern Festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring and family reunions.
Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand
Loy Krathong in Thailand is another light-centric festival where people make lanterns (krathong) and place them in the river rafting as a way to pray for good luck and erase past faults. This custom is based on prayer and celebration ceremonies for lantern lighting at the Lantern Festival, but Loy Krathong focuses more on personal blessings and reverence for nature. In addition, Loy Krathong celebrations include beautiful light decorations and fire-breathing shows, bringing the most romantic evening of the year to Thailand.
By comparing the Lantern Festival with the festive lights in other parts of the world, we can not only see the similarities between different cultures, such as the common tradition of celebrating through lights, but also appreciate the unique cultural connotations and ways of celebrating each one. It not only enriches our understanding of the Lantern Festival, but also promotes awareness and respect for global multiculturalism.