The Lantern Festival or Festival in China
The Chinese New Year holidays reach their peak with Yuan Xiao , or the Lantern Festival, celebrated on February 15th this year (2022). Beginning over 2,000 years ago, this festival holds many meanings. It celebrates family and community reunions and showcases ancient spiritual traditions. Some even call it the "true" Chinese Valentine. Various activities include moon-gazing, lantern lighting, riddles, lion dances, and eating rice balls.
Cultural significance of the lantern festival
The spring festival is a time reserved for families. There's the family reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, visits to in-laws on the second day, and then to neighbors. Shops reopen a few days after the New Year, and community life returns to normal. On the 15th day of the first lunar month , everyone, regardless of age or gender, takes to the streets to celebrate the festival . Although the Lantern Festival symbolizes family reunions, it's also a time for socializing with neighbors and friends, as well as a time of great freedom.
In ancient China, women were generally not allowed to leave their homes alone. But nowadays, they can move about freely. For example, during the Lantern Festival, they can stroll with family or friends , light lanterns, or play games. The fantastical and romantic stories are why some say the Lantern Festival is the true Chinese Valentine's Day.
From a more cultural perspective, the lantern festival also has religious aspects. It was already important in ancient China, but it is also important in modern Buddhism and in the cultures of ethnic minorities.
Origins and histories
The Lantern Festival dates back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty and has evolved considerably over time. Its origins are complex, and many legends surround it. Emperor Wu designated this day for rituals to worship Taiyi, one of the rulers of the universe. Intense power struggles and unrest arose after his reign. The new emperor, Emperor Wen, to celebrate the return of peace, made the 15th day of the first lunar month a national holiday. Every household lit candles and lanterns. This is how it became known as 闹元宵 (nào yuán xiāo), the Lantern Festival . "Nao" can be interpreted as having fun or making noise. Emperor Ming, of the Eastern Han dynasty, was a devout Buddhist. He learned that on the 15th day of the first lunar month, monks lit candles for the Buddha. He ordered the palace and temples to light candles, and the citizens to hang lanterns. These two events combined to give rise to the Lantern Festival as we know it today.
Lantern Festival Celebration
The duration of the celebrations has varied throughout history. These days, the festival is not technically a public holiday, so there are no days off work. During the Ming Dynasty, the Lantern Festival lasted for a month! Some festivals coincide with the Lantern Festival and are now celebrated together.
Huobajie Torch Festival (火把节)
The Torch Festival also dates back to ancient times; it serves to drive away insects and pests to ensure a better harvest. Children gather firewood and tree branches, which adults then light. Holding these torches, entire communities dance in the fields from dusk till dawn. This festival is still celebrated in some parts of southwest China today.
TouCaiJie Vegetable Stealing Festival (偷菜节)
This is a popular traditional custom in some parts of China. It takes place every year on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which is the Lantern Festival. On the day of the festival, girls go in groups to steal Chinese cabbage from their neighbors' fields . It is strictly forbidden to steal food from their own family or friends with the same last name. Getting caught is perfectly normal. Soon after, everyone gathers the stolen Chinese cabbage for a feast. The one who eats the most will be the first to get married.
Many different lanterns
Lanterns are the most prominent part of the festival. Originally, the Lantern Festival was also called Shang Yuan (上元). It was dedicated to the Tian Gong (天宫) celestial palace. People would gather in their courtyards and make offerings to the gods. The lantern lit at the gathering place represented the seat of a god. Throughout history, countless variations of lanterns have been created . These can range from small globes that fit in the palm of your hand to objects as large as a parade float. People also make lanterns with symbolic designs.
A famous variant is the Kongming lantern (孔明灯) . It represents hope, success, and happiness. In the past, people used these lanterns to signify their safety after an attack. Today, they are used to make wishes.
Also known as the Tiandeng (天灯) sky lantern , this name is similar to Tianding (添丁), which means "to add children." The lanterns were traditionally given to newlyweds or childless couples to convey blessings. Pregnant women received a pair of small lanterns to wish good health and safety to both mother and child. In some regions, people also light lanterns to determine the sex of their unborn child based on the shape of the ashes.
Traditions and activities
Every festival has its share of activities. This festival isn't just about lanterns! In Fengyang City, swings play a major role . A popular saying goes, "If you swing during the Lantern Festival, you won't have any aches or pains for the rest of the year." One of the unique aspects of the festival in Hebei is the jǐng xíng lā huā (井陉拉花) performance. Holding fans and parasol-shaped props, people dance to the rhythm of drums.
Riddles of the CaiDengMi Lantern (猜灯谜)
People often gathered with friends, drank wine, and wrote poems. Word games and riddles were a favorite pastime . During this festival, people wrote riddles on lanterns. These little games are popular with everyone. According to many legends, it was possible to find one's sweetheart through this game!
Dragon Dance ShuaLongDeng (耍龙灯)
The dragon dance has a history almost as long as Chinese culture itself. Performers create impressive formations to the rhythm of Chinese drums and cymbals.
WuShiZi lion dance (舞狮子)
Lion dances can be seen at all kinds of festive events, from parties and weddings to store openings. The lion is intricately designed, with movable eyes and a mouth . Sometimes, the lion opens its mouth and begs for food. Most of the time, however, the lion, operated by several people, performs impressive acrobatics.
CaiGaoQiao Stilts (踩高跷)
Chinese stilt-walking performances originate from Chinese opera; the artists sing and dance on their stilts. Depending on their character, they wear different costumes.
Cooking and family
The iconic dish of the Lantern Festival is called yuan xiao , just like the festival itself. It's also known as TangYuan (汤圆) in the south and is one of the many savory desserts of the Chinese New Year. These are glutinous rice balls with sweet fillings made from syrup, red bean paste, black sesame paste, or other sweeteners. They can be steamed or fried, but are usually boiled and served in hot water. They symbolize family reunions , as tang yuan sounds similar to the word for "reunion," TuanYan (团圆). Some businesspeople also call these balls YuanBao (元宝), meaning gold or silver ingots.
Although it's a night of celebration, the Lantern Festival is also a night for families. After the Chinese New Year, families gather again. They meet under the moonlight, enjoy fireworks and performances, and share a bowl of yuan xiao.
