The Lantern Festival

Light, stars and lanterns always tend to fascinate us. The lantern festival is a Chinese festival. It falls in February or early March on the fifteenth day of the month in the Chinese calendar. It is a festival of really great importance ever since 206 BC.

Origin:

This festival is believed to be originated about 2000 years ago. The history is that, Emperor Ming, the Emperor during 206 BC, was a great believer in Budhism. He noticed that the monks would light lanterns in temples on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. He ordered all the households in the kingdom to do the same. Since then, it has become a traditional legacy that has been passed down generation after generation.

There are various other legends that include gods and dragons too. And some legends associate this festivals with great warriors. Some legends talk about heavens.

Whatever the legend may be, they all convey the same meaning, the symbol of hope and luck.

Celebration:

The lantern festival lasts for the whole fifteen days. This festival is always a reunion and get together of families. People have their dinner on the New Year's eve that is usually a reunion. On the 2nd day of the lunar month, people visit their in-laws. The streets go back to normal on the 5th and people prepare for the 15th day. The 15th day is the most energetic, exciting day.

Regardless of their age and gender, people gather and go out on the streets to celebrate the day. They float their lanterns as a symbol of hope and good luck for prosperity, health and love. This is also a great time of freedom and socializing.

Food:

The food of the festival is yuan xion or rice dumplings. They are made with syrup, black sesame and red bean paste as fillings. They are either steamed or fried. Mostly they are boiled and served in hot water. The food represents the full moon as a symbol of reunions.

The fireworks, lanterns and yuan xiao make a wonderful spirit of celebration.