China’s Lantern Festival, also known as Yuan Xiao Festival marks the first full moon of the new lunar year. It is said that the Han dynasty started the Lantern festival celebrations roughly 2000 years ago.
Lantern Festival: Origin
According to a popular legend, the festival came into existence during emperor Ming of Han’s reign. At that time, Buddhism was gaining popularity in China and Buddist monks would light up lanterns on the 15th day of the first lunar month. By knowing this, the emperor who is an advocate of Buddhism ordered royal palaces and houses to do the same. From this tradition, the Lantern festival is continued.
The Jade Emperor is another legend that is used to explain the origin of this Lantern Festival. Some villagers allegedly killed the crane of the emperor. To avenge this, the emperor planned to burn down the village on the 15th day of the first lunar month. His daughter knows about his plan and forewarned the villagers. In order to save themselves, the villagers hang red lanterns throughout the village to seem like the village was already on fire. As a result of this, the village was saved and this made as a celebration every year.
Lantern Festival: Significance
People believe that the Lantern Festival honors the deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar calendar. The lanterns represent people letting go of the previous year and wishing good fortune for the upcoming year.
Lantern Festival: Traditions
lightening lanterns, eating tangyuan, and seeing lion or dragon dances are some of the most popular traditions of the Yuan Xiao Festival. Yuan Xiao or Tangyuan are little rice balls that are filled with nuts, fruits and eaten throughout the festival.
