Today is the Lantern Festival! Let's explore these customs and knowledge together!

Today is the 15th day of the first lunar month
We celebrate the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is also called Shangyuan Festival. The first month of the lunar calendar is the Yuan month, and ancient people called the night "Xiao." The first full moon night of the year is called the Lantern Festival.
What is the origin of the Lantern Festival?
What customs and traditions are associated with the Lantern Festival? What are some poems about the Lantern Festival?
Come and learn with me 👇

1. The Origin of the Lantern Festival
On the 15th day of the first lunar month, 180 BC, Emperor Wen of Han Liu Heng ascended the throne and pardoned the people. From then on, every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the emperor would leave the palace to tour, decorate with lanterns, and celebrate with the people.
Unlike other traditional festivals that emphasize "family reunion," the Lantern Festival emphasizes "celebration across the whole world."
On the night of the Lantern Festival, streets and alleys are decorated with lanterns. People enjoy lantern displays, solve lantern riddles, and extend the celebrations that began on New Year's Eve into another climax, becoming a tradition passed down through generations.

Why is it considered China's "Valentine's Day"?
In feudal society, young girls were not allowed to go out freely, but during festivals, they could go out with friends. Watching lantern displays during the Lantern Festival was a perfect opportunity for socializing, and unmarried men and women could also find potential partners.
During the Lantern Festival, it is also a time for young men and women to meet their lovers, so the Lantern Festival can be called China's authentic Valentine's Day. Traditional operas like Chen San and Wu Niang met and fell in love while watching lanterns during the festival. Princess Lechang and Xu Deyan reunited on Lantern Festival night. In "Spring Lantern Riddles," Yuwen Yan and Ying Niang got engaged during the festival. These are examples.

2. Lantern Festival Customs Eating Yuanxiao
Yuanxiao was originally called "Floating Yuanzi," later renamed "Yuanxiao." Merchants called it "Yuanbao," symbolizing reunion and happiness. Although there are regional differences between Yuanxiao and Tangyuan, both represent reunion and harmony!

Guess Lantern Riddles
"Guess Lantern Riddles" is also called "Playing Riddles."
Every year on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, people hang colorful lanterns and set off fireworks. Later, riddles are written on slips of paper and pasted on colorful lanterns for people to guess, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Lion Dance
The lion dance is an excellent folk art in China. During the Lantern Festival or gatherings, people perform lion dances to add excitement. This tradition dates back over a thousand years, originating from the Three Kingdoms period!

Dragon Lanterns
Playing with dragon lanterns, also called dragon dance or dragon performance, originated in ancient times! On the 15th day of the lunar month, the festive atmosphere of playing with dragon lanterns is celebrated in many places.

Stilt Walking
Stilt walking is highly skillful, lively, and versatile, making it easy to move around. It is like a mobile stage, so it is very popular among the people!

Walking Through "Hundred Diseases"
Also called "Traveling for Hundred Diseases." Women go out together on Lantern Festival night, crossing bridges and wishing for health and longevity!

3. Lantern Festival Poems

The Night of the 15th of the First Month
Su Weidao

Fire trees and silver flowers bloom together, star bridges and iron chains open. Dark dust follows the horses, the bright moon chases people.
Performers are all like plum blossoms, singing and walking among the falling plum blossoms.
The night is not forbidden for the guards, and the jade water clock urges no hurry.

Watching Lanterns on the 15th Night
Lu Zhaolin

The brocade street opens a fragrant feast, orchids and jars bloom early. Bright colors are distant from the land, and the splendid lights stretch far into the sky.
Suspecting stars falling from the Han, the moon hangs like a悬 in the building.
There is another thousand gold smiles, reflecting before the nine branches.

Chasing the Evening
Ouyang Xiu

Last year on Lantern Night, the flower market was as bright as day. The moon was above the willow tips, and people met after dusk.
This year on Lantern Night, the moon and lanterns are still the same.
I see no one from last year, tears wetting my spring shirt sleeves.

Enjoying Lantern Viewing
Li Shangyin

The moonlight and lantern mountains fill the imperial capital, fragrant carriages and treasure canopies block the main roads.
I am free and do not watch the prosperity,
Shyly competing with villagers to race the Purple Maiden.

Magnolia Flower Order
Su Shi

The Lantern Festival seems like a joyful outing. Moreover, the court has few lawsuits. Ten thousand families enjoy the spring festival on the spring terrace, and ten miles of fairyland迷海岛.
The plains are not like Gao Yang's arrogance. The banquet is elegant, accompanied by witty words and laughter.
There are many drunken guests among us, not hesitating to拼醉倒 at the Jade Mountain.
On Yuanxiao Night, Cui Ye
The jade water and copper pot, do not rush, the iron gate and golden lock are open all night. Who can sit leisurely under the moon? Where can you hear the lanterns and not come to see?

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