Lantern Festival in China

What is Lantern Festival?

Chinese New Year's Day is a traditional Chinese New Year festival held on the 15th of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. On the Gregorian calendar, this day usually falls in February or early March. However, by the time of the Western Han Dynasty, it became an important holiday.

During the Lantern Festival, young people walk around with paper lanterns with riddles.

In the past, only emperors and other wealthy people could afford the most expensive lanterns. There are many different kinds of patterns on modern lanterns. For example, animal-shaped lanterns are becoming more popular. Unfortunately, these unique selves will be given up in the new year, just like the old ones. Almost all the lanterns are red so that bad luck won't come their way.

The holiday is called Uposatha day on the Chinese calendar.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is called the "Lantern Festival in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore." It is not the same as the "Lantern Festival." The Water Lantern Festival is one example of how lantern festivals are becoming more popular in the West. It takes place in several cities across the United States. Every year in London, there is a festival called the Magical Lantern Festival.

Lantern Festival Day - All Quick Overview

• Category: Religious
• Where It’s Marked:The day is observed on the last day of the Lunar New Year.
• Why It’s Marked:Taiwan, China

History of Lantern Festival Day

People offer many explanations for the lantern festival. It dates back 2,000 years when Emperor Ming of the Han period popularized Buddhism in China. The Buddhist Emperor Ming noted that monks lit lanterns on the 15th of the first lunar month. So he instructed households, temples, and the emperor's palace to light lanterns. Then it became folklore. 

The Han celebration included Ti Yin, the North Star deity. The event may also mark "the shortening days of winter" and the use of lanterns to travel at night. China celebrates with red lanterns.

In Taiwan's lantern festival myth, ancient humans worshipped Taiyi, the God of Heaven. People believed Taiyi determined human events. He possessed 16 dragons and could deliver drought, storms, starvation, or illness. Since Qin Shi Huang, all emperors have instituted annual celebrations. The monarch would beseech Taiyi for good health and weather.

Emperor Wu of Han devoted special attention to this incident. In 104 BC, he stated it was a significant celebration with an all-night ritual.

Another anecdote links Taoism to the Lantern Festival. Tianguan is the luck-granting Taoist deity. His birth date is the 15th of the first lunar month. Because Tianguan adores enjoyment, his devotees organize events where they may pray for luck.

In another Lantern Festival narrative, Lan Moon leads a revolt against a terrible monarch. The rebels who won named the festival after him since he died during the siege.

Another traditional narrative about how the Lantern Festival began is a gorgeous crane. Villagers slaughtered it once it arrived on Earth. This incident angered the Jade Emperor in heaven, who loved cranes. He prepared a firestorm to annihilate the settlement on the 15th lunar day. Jade Emperor's daughter warned villagers that her father wanted to eradicate them. 

No one knew what to do to save the community. On the 14th, 15th, and 16th lunar days, a wise man from another hamlet recommended that families should hang red lanterns, light bonfires, and set off fireworks. He'd assume the town was on fire. On the 15th lunar day, heaven-sent forces saw the village on fire. They reported what occurred to the Jade Emperor. 

Happy, the Jade Emperor didn't fire down the community. Since then, people have commemorated the occasion on the 15th lunar day by holding lanterns and lighting off fireworks.

Yuan-narrative Xiao is another origin of the Lantern Festival. The Han emperor's favorite counselor was Dongfang Shuo. One winter day, he heard a small girl screaming and about to leap into a well. Shuo urged her to stop. She stated she was Yuan-Xiao, a royal maid. 

She hadn't visited her family since starting work. She'd sooner die than never show her family love. Shuo promised to bring her home. Shuo fled the palace to tell fortunes on the street. People requested him to predict their futures since he was well-known. The response was a devastating fire on the 15th lunar day. Word spread quickly.

All the frightened people flocked to Dongfang Shuo for advice. Dongfang Shuo said a red fairy on a black horse would burn down the city on the 13th lunar day. When seeing the fairy, ask for pardon. Yuan-Xiao impersonated the red fairy. When requested assistance, she replied that she had a God of Fire order for the emperor. After she departed, someone gave the emperor the proclamation that the capital would burn on the 15th. 

The God of Fire likes tangyuan, Dongfang Shuo told the emperor (sweet dumplings). Therefore, yuan-Xiao should produce tangyuan on the 15th lunar day, and the emperor should command every family to do the same so that everyone may worship the God of Fire together. 

Every residence should hang a red lantern and light off firecrackers. Everyone in the palace and city should take their lanterns out to witness the lantern decorations and fireworks. The flames would wound no one because the Jade Emperor would be misled.

The emperor followed orders. On the 15th lunar day, people walked with lanterns and let off firecrackers. The city was ablaze. Yuan-parents Xiao spotted their daughter at the palace while looking at lanterns. Every year, do the same thing, said the emperor. Yuan-Xiao prepared the tastiest tangyuan. Thus they dubbed it Yuan-Xiao Festival.

Festivals modify the Chinese Zodiac. Next year will be the year of the rabbit (water rabbit).

How to Celebrate Lantern Festival Day

During the lantern festival, people love to lion dance, walk on stilts, play riddle games, and do dragon dance.

Chinese New Year's Day and the First Full Moon of a New Lunar Year are both on this day (see Lunar New Year). People use lanterns to adorn their houses during the festival, and those who answer the riddles on them get a little prize. The festivities include pyrotechnics, lion and dragon dances, and parades. The Yuanxiao Festival is celebrated by serving fruit and nut-filled glutinous rice balls. The round shape of the balls symbolizes the unity and wholeness of the family.

Countries that Observe Lantern Festival Day

It is celebrated in China and other Asian countries. 

Interesting Facts about Lantern Festival Day

1. Almost all Chinese lanterns are red.
2. There are three different kinds of lanterns.
3. Hong Kong holds the record for the largest lantern show.
4. The design of lanterns means a lot to them.
5. People started using Chinese lanterns more than 2,000 years ago.

Unique Lantern Festival Celebration Ideas

As it is a traditional festival, nothing unique is done on this day.

Lantern Festival Day Quotes

“If you light a lantern for another, it will also brighten your own way” - Nichiren

“Faith means living with uncertainty – feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide you like a lantern in the dark.” - Dan Millman

“I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.” - Emily Dickinson

“You are not one you are a Thousand. Just Light you’re Lantern.” - Rumi

“If we are to have any hope for the future, those who have lanterns must pass them on to others.” - Plato

“We must shine with hope, stained glass windows that shape light into icons, glow like lanterns borne before a procession. Who can bear hope back into the world but us.” - Marge Piercy

“A little town is like a lantern. Nothing’s hidden from sight.” - Rachel Field

“Unintelligible language is a lantern without a light.” - Samuel Johnson

FAQ

1. Which religion celebrates the lantern festivals?

On the 15th day of the lunar year, monks would celebrate Buddha's birthday by lighting lanterns. Therefore, the Buddhist community usually follows this festival.

2. How to cook nut-filled glutinous rice balls?

Tang yuan are glutinous rice balls, a Chinese delicacy. Their mochi-like covers hide red beans and sesame seeds. Sticky rice flour makes dumpling dough chewier. You can find the recipe details here. 

3. What is the Chinese zodiac?

In the Chinese calendar, each year is represented by a different animal.

4. What is the Yuan-Xiao Festival?

The synonymous name of the lantern festival is the Yuan-Xiao festival.