The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, also known in China as the Yuan Xiao Festival, with the history of more than 2,000 years, falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese New Year. It marks the end of the Spring Festival celebration.
This is a festival for people to have fun. Dressed in their most beautiful clothes and putting on their most shining hairpins, the ancient Chinese, noblemen and ordinary people included, would swarm the streets, where dancers and musicians, acrobats and vendors would gather as fireworks were lit and lanterns displayed.
An implicit Valentine’s Day
Most Chinese dynasties had curfews during the night. Young women, especially daughters of eminent families, hardly stepped out their houses. But during the Lantern Festival, it was a tradition that all people, including those young women, came out for lantern shows. Therefore, it was almost the only time for young men and women to meet with each other and fall in love.For thousands of years, there have been numerous love stories originating during the Lantern Festival.
A Chinese poem by Xin Qiji epicts a love story at the lantern festival:
But in the crowd once and again I look for her in vain. When all at once I turn my head, I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.
Making and watching Lanterns
Buddhism flourished in Han dynasty in China. In order to popularize Buddhism, one of the emperors gave an order to light lanterns in the imperial palace to worship and show respect for Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Since then, people also made lanterns to celebrate their peaceful life while the splendid illuminations symbolized and celebrated prosperity.
Guessing Lantern Riddles
Beginning from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), guessing riddles is regarded as an indispensable part of the Lantern Festival. During the lantern show, many people loved the ‘Lantern riddles’ the most. Anyone who knows the answer to the riddles on the lanterns will get a small gift as award.
Eating Yuan Xiao
Another important part of the Lantern Festival/Yuan Xiao Festival is eating Yuan Xiao. They are small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour. We call these balls Yuan Xiao or Tang Yuan. Obviously, they get the name from the festival itself. Made of sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing and round in shape, they symbolize family unity, completeness and happiness.
For its rich and colorful activities, the Lantern Festival is regarded as the most recreational among all the Chinese festivals and a day for appreciating the bright full moon and family reunions. Happy Lantern Festival!