The origin of the Lantern Festival

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-03-07

The origin of the Lantern Festival is rooted in ancient legends. According to legend, after the death of Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Ying, the son of his son Empress Lü, succeeded to the throne as Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty. However, Emperor Hui was weak and hesitant, and the power was firmly held by Empress Lu, and the old ministers of the court and the Liu clan dared not speak out.

After Empress Lü's death, the descendants of the Lü family fell into panic, fearing that they would be hurt and ostracized, so they plotted to launch a rebellion. This information was learned of by Liu Nang, the king of Qi in the Liu clan, who immediately contacted the founding fathers Zhou Bo and Chen Ping, and successfully put down the rebellion known as the "Zhulu Rebellion".

Subsequently, Liu Heng ascended the throne as Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. In order to celebrate Zhou Bo's feat of quelling the Zhulu rebellion on the fifteenth day of the first month, every night, Emperor Wen will leave the palace to play, celebrate with the people, and the night is the same night, the first month is also called the first month, so the fifteenth day of the first month is set as the Lantern Festival. This night is given a special meaning and is known as the Lantern Festival.

With the passage of history, the Lantern Festival became more and more grand in the Sui, Tang, Song and other dynasties. According to the "Sui Shu ** Zhi": "Every first month, all countries come to the court, stay until the fifteenth day outside the end of the gate to build the country, stretching for eight miles, the opera is the theater. "Tens of thousands of singers and dancers participated, and the carnival of the Lantern Festival reached its peak from dusk to dawn.

The celebration of the Lantern Festival has a rich tradition. Customs such as appreciating lanterns, tasting glutinous rice balls, eating Lantern Festival, guessing lantern riddles, and setting off fireworks have been passed down to this day. The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, the Little New Year, the Yuan Xi Festival or the Lantern Festival, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals and is set on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year. The first lunar month is the first month of the lunar calendar, and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the first full moon night of the year, so it is endowed with the beautiful meaning of "Lantern Festival".

According to the Taoist "three yuan" theory, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is also known as the "Shangyuan Festival". The main customs of the Lantern Festival have always been warm and festive lantern watching activities. On this day, every household will be lit up with lanterns, and the city and countryside will be decorated like a fairyland.

In the celebration of the Lantern Festival, eating Lantern Festival is an indispensable tradition. Tangyuan is the Lantern Festival, and their production methods and tastes are different, but they all symbolize the reunion and happiness of the family, and the more prosperous life passes. Therefore, on the night of the Lantern Festival, people will share this delicious snack with their families.

Viewing lanterns is also one of the traditional customs of the Lantern Festival. In ancient times, cities and villages were full of lights and bustling. Viewing lanterns is not only an opportunity to appreciate beautiful lanterns, but also an opportunity for unmarried men and women to exchange feelings and find objects.

Guessing lantern riddles is another traditional activity of the Lantern Festival, also known as the Lantern Tiger. People would put lantern riddles on the lanterns for others to guess. The riddles of lantern riddles mostly involve the meaning of words, and the riddles include various forms such as roller blinds, swings, and seeking phoenixes, which have evolved into the unique folk culture of the Lantern Festival.

The grand celebration of the Lantern Festival always culminates in fireworks. When night falls, brilliant fireworks burst into the sky, lighting up the entire night sky, adding more color and vibrancy to this festive festival.

In this festival full of laughter and warmth, I sincerely wish you all a happy Lantern Festival!The Lantern Festival is a complete and happy reunion, and may this beautiful traditional festival bring you and your family the sweetest moment of the year.

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