Beyond the Moon：How China‘s Lantern Festival illuminates Family and Hope
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, this ancient festival that lights up the night sky of the New Spring, carries the cultural memory of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, the Little New Year, the Yuanxi Festival, or the Lantern Fair, is an important festival in traditional Chinese festivals with great charm and profound cultural connotations. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the first full moon night of the year, symbolizing reunion and harmony.
The origin and history of Lantern Festival
The origin of the Lantern Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty two thousand years ago.
Emperor Wu of Han’s ritual of offering sacrifices at Ganquan Palace marked the beginning of the tradition of lighting lanterns on the Upper Yuan Festival. During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains. The custom of lighting lanterns before Buddha statues merged with local traditions, gradually forming the unique custom of “Upper Yuan Lantern Lighting.”
In the Tang Dynasty, the capital city of Chang’an lifted the curfew on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. People from all over the city would stay up all night to the enjoy lanterns and have fun. In the Song Dynasty, scholars began writing riddles on lanterns, creating the elegant amusement of “guessing lantern riddles,” which elevated a common entertainment activity to a cultural event.
The custom of Lantern Festival
Eating Tangyuan: Tangyuan is a symbol of the Lantern Festival. It is made of glutinous rice flour and filled with various fillings. It stands for family togetherness and happiness.
Guessing Lantern Riddles: Guessing lantern riddles is one of the important activities of the Lantern Festival. People write riddles on pieces of paper and stick them on colorful lanterns for others to guess. This activity not only adds fun to the festival but also shows the wisdom of ancient people.
Watching Lanterns: On the Lantern Festival night, streets and alleys are decorated with beautiful lanterns. The lanterns come in different shapes and patterns. Some show historical stories, and others depict folk tales. They make the festival more festive.
Bustling lanterns will be held all over the country
Shanghai: The Yuyuan Lantern Festival in Shanghai centers around the Nine-Curves Bridge and uses modern lighting technology to bring mythical creatures from the Classic of Mountains and Seas to life.
Nanjing: The Qinhuai Lantern Festival in Nanjing has a long history and is one of the most famous lantern festivals in China. The lanterns along the Qinhuai River are exquisitely crafted, featuring traditional palace lanterns and revolving lanterns, as well as modern large-scale themed light displays.
Zigong: The Zigong Lantern Festival is renowned for its grand scale and exquisite craftsmanship. The lanterns are not only numerous but also uniquely designed, often presented in the form of large-scale scene lanterns.
Hebei: The Lantern Festival activities in Hebei are also unique. In cities like Shijiazhuang and Baoding, the lantern festivals combine local cultural characteristics and showcase rich folk cultures.
The Lantern Festival is a joyous occasion that not only commemorates the precious bond of family unity, but also vividly demonstrates the rich diversity and harmonious inclusivity embedded in Chinese culture. This festival is steeped in profound historical and cultural significance.
On this enchanting evening, brimming with hope and aesthetic charm, people carefully inscribe their heartfelt aspirations onto the lanterns. As these lanterns, gently illuminated, drift into the vast unknown, they carry with them the cherished dreams of their creators, aspirations that may one day be gracefully realized.
