New year lanterns Light up ChengDu 2024
In January 2024, the Chengdu Agricultural Expo Park in China is opening! This is an interactive new year lanterns show. This show planned a perfect combination of agricultural and sideline product exhibitions. And also the combination of sales and Chinese lanterns.
For Chinese around the world, lighting the Chinese New Year lanterns during the Spring Festival is a traditional act to celebrate the festival, Lantern exhibitions will be held in large places to welcome the New Year, ordinary people will hang a red lantern in their homes, and oversea Chinese around the world will also light up lanterns in Chinatown. Chinese lanterns is the symbol of Chinese new year, this Chinese lantern Agricultural Expo is to welcome the arrival of the Chinese New Year!
In China, the atmosphere of the New Year surpasses other festivals, and such a night market has skyrocketed the popularity of Chengdu Agricultural Expo Park!
A Brief History of Spring Festival Lantern
1.Origin (Before the Han Dynasty)
Initially used for illumination, lanterns became linked to the Lantern Festival (Shangyuan Festival) during the Han Dynasty, when courts and temples lit them for rituals.
2.Tang and Song Dynasties
Tang Dynasty lantern festivals flourished, while the Song Dynasty saw “lantern markets” and revolving lanterns emerge, making lanterns essential Spring Festival decorations.
3.Ming and Qing Dynasties
Craftsmanship matured, with palace lanterns and gauze lanterns gaining popularity, integrating arts like paper-cutting, calligraphy, and painting.
4.Modern Development
Traditional paper lanterns fused with LED technology, becoming iconic Spring Festival adornments and spreading to Chinatowns worldwide.
The shapes and types of festival lanterns
By Shape
Round (symbolizing reunion)
Square (solemn)
Hexagonal/Octagonal (palace-style)
Non-standard shapes (fish, dragon, zodiac animals)
By Function
Entrance lanterns (hung at gates)
Handheld lanterns (for children’s play)
Decorative lanterns (silk-painted, carved)
By Craftsmanship
Traditional: Bamboo-framed paper lanterns, silk gauze lanterns, revolving lanterns.
Modern: LED lanterns, plastic lanterns, ice lanterns (northern specialty).
The symbolic meaning of New Year lanterns
Auspiciousness and Joy: Red symbolizes good fortune, warding off misfortune.
Family Reunion: Round lanterns represent harmonious family gatherings.
Light and Hope: Lantern lights signify bidding farewell to the old and welcoming new beginnings, illuminating the future.
Cultural Legacy: Patterns on lanterns (e.g., 福 [fortune], bats, fish) embody wishes for prosperity, peace, and abundant blessings year after year.
Unique festival lantern theme customization
Of course, this exhibition is different from the Dragon light-light up the Chinese new year of Dragon 2024 that we are holding at the same time. The core theme of this exhibition is to integrate fruits and agricultural products with Chinese lantern artistry, creating an authentic Chinese New Year atmosphere. The Agricultural Expo Garden highlights IP-themed designs, using lantern displays to express the traditional symbolism of farm produce and fruits—adding vibrant festive exuberance to the New Year celebrations.
Persimmon: Symbolizes everything going smoothly (“shi” homophone for “matters”)
Apple: Symbolizes peace and safety (“ping” homophone for “peace”)
Orange: Symbolizes wishes fulfilled (“cheng” homophone for “success”)
Tangerine/Citrus: Symbolizes good fortune and luck (“ju” homophone for “auspicious”)
Pomegranate: Symbolizes abundant offspring and prosperity (dense seeds)
Peach: Symbolizes longevity and wellness (originating from “longevity peach” legends)
Grape: Symbolizes bountiful harvest and thriving family (clustered, seed-filled fruit)
Peanut: Symbolizes immortality and fertility (nicknamed “longevity nut”)
Pumpkin: Symbolizes wealth and abundance (golden hue when ripe)
Design elements of agricultural products enhance visitors’ shopping experience while immersing them in the festive ambiance of New Year lanterns. This seamlessly integrates farming culture with traditional celebrations, allowing visitors to feel the joyous warmth of the season while selecting farm-fresh goods.
Rich activity content
On New Year’s Eve, the Agricultural Expo Garden transforms into a dazzling paradise. Grand fireworks displays, lantern riddle games, photo opportunities, and bustling farm markets attract crowds of visitors.
Spectacular fireworks illuminate the night sky in a kaleidoscope of colors, bringing joy to all. Lantern riddle games invite visitors to engage in traditional intellectual fun. The vibrant displays of farm-fresh products create an overwhelming variety that captures every eye. These activities immerse visitors in festive energy and mark the year’s peak attendance night with unforgettable memories.
Such interactivity enhances visitor engagement, making the holiday experience both complete and enduring.
Experience the true Chinese New Year
The Lantern Festival opening on January 27 offers visitors a perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese New Year celebrations. Here, they can experience the seamless blend of traditional Spring Festival customs with modern innovations, feeling the warmth and joy of the season. Through various interactive activities, visitors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich cultural heritage behind Chinese New Year traditions.
1.paper-cut
Paper-cutting usually takes auspicious animals and symbols related to the New Year as its themes. Tourists can learn how to make traditional paper-cuts.
2.Write Spring Festival couplets
In addition, there is a calligraphy station here where visitors can practice writing Spring Festival couplets with brushes and ink, expressing their good wishes and blessings for the coming year
3.Red envelopes for New Year greetings
The exhibition also features a section dedicated to modern innovation and how it has influenced the celebration of the New Year. Here, visitors can learn about the role of technology in contemporary New Year traditions, such as the use of digital red envelopes and online New Year’s greetings. There are also displays showcasing how modern design has incorporated traditional Chinese elements, such as the use of lucky red in contemporary fashion and home decor.
4.musical performance
Throughout the exhibition, there are performances by traditional Chinese musicians and dancers. These lively performances add to the festive atmosphere and provide a sense of the joy and excitement that the Chinese New Year brings. Visitors can watch as dancers perform the dragon and lion dances, which are an important part of many New Year celebrations in China. The musicians play a variety of traditional instruments, such as the erhu and pipa, filling the space with the melodious sounds of Chinese folk music.
Overall, this exhibition offers a comprehensive and immersive experience of the Chinese New Year lanterns. It provides visitors with the opportunity to not only learn about the rich traditions and customs of the festival but also to see how modern innovation has influenced and enriched these celebrations. By combining education, interaction, and entertainment, the exhibition creates a warm and joyful atmosphere that truly captures the spirit of the Chinese New Year.
