The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, the Little New Year's Month, the Yuan Xi Festival, or the Lantern Festival, is an important traditional Chinese festival with rich historical and cultural connotations. It originated in the Qin and Han dynasties more than 2,000 years ago and officially became a major traditional festival in the Han Dynasty. The Lantern Festival is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Spring Festival. This day is also the first full moon night of the year, symbolizing new beginnings and reunion.
The celebration of the Lantern Festival is diverse, including guessing lantern riddles, eating Lantern Festival, watching lanterns, dragon and lion dances, walking on stilts, rowing boats, etc. These activities not only reflect the traditional Chinese culture, but also show the different customs and habits of different places. In Shanghai, for example, the Lantern Festival is closely associated with intangible cultural heritage items such as the Yu Garden Lantern Festival and the Lantern Festival Street Fair. These activities are not limited to the Han Chinese, many ethnic minorities also have their own unique ways of celebrating.
Lanterns play an important role in the Lantern Festival. In ancient times, lanterns were believed to have the meaning of exorcism, blessings, and prayers for light. In Hokkien, the pronunciation of "lamp" is similar to "ding", so lanterns are also used to pray for offspring and fame. There are many kinds of lanterns in the Lantern Festival, including image lanterns made in the image of things and movable lanterns based on folk tales, showing the national spirit and the wisdom of craftsmen.
The Lantern Festival is not only a festival, but also an important embodiment of traditional Chinese culture and intangible cultural heritage. It preserves Chinese history and culture through a variety of activities and customs, while also providing opportunities for people to have fun and reunite.