Chinese Yuanxiao Festival

The Yuanxiao Festival, also known as the Upper Lantern Festival or the Lantern Festival, is one of China's traditional festivals, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Spring Festival celebrations. The Yuanxiao Festival is a celebration of the harvest of the past year and also a beautiful wish for future life, embodying people's longing for family reunion, happiness, and well-being.

The Lantern Festival gradually developed into a traditional festival celebrated by the whole nation.

The historical Origin

Yuanxiao Festival is come from Chinese historical and cultural. Here are three theories about the origin of its name:

1.Start from Emperor Wen of Han's celebration activities.

 It is said that Emperor Wen of Han (179 BC - 157 BC) celebrated the suppression of the Rebellion of the Lv Family by Zhou Bo on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. On this night, he would go out to play and enjoy himself with the people. In ancient times, "ye" meant night, and the first lunar month was called the "yuan" month, so Emperor Wen of Han designated the fifteenth day of the first lunar month as the Lantern Festival, and this night was called "Yuanxiao."

2.Come from ancient calendrical systems and lunar phases. 

The first lunar month is called "yuan" month in the lunar calendar, and night called "xiao." so the first full moon night of the year, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, is called the Yuanxiao Festival. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the first full moon night of the year and the night of the beginning of a new cycle and the spring is back. People celebrate this night as a continuation of the Spring Festival celebration, gradually forming a fixed traditional festival named the "Lantern Festival."

3.Originated from Buddhist activities

A different theory says that the Yuanxiao Festival is related to Buddhism. The Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he advocated Buddhism. He heard that on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, monks would observe Buddhist relics and light lamps to honor Buddha. He ordered that on this night, lanterns should be lit to honor Buddha in the imperial palace and temples, and that the aristocracy and common people should hang lanterns, thus forming the tradition of lantern appreciation during the Yuanxiao Festival. Due to the custom of displaying and viewing lanterns during the Lantern Festival, it is also known as the "lantern Festival" among the people.

In summary, the origin of the name "Yuanxiao Festival" is related to Emperor Wen of Han's celebration activities, ancient calendrical systems and lunar phases, and Buddhist activities.

Yuanxiao Festival Customs

Go out and appreciate Lanterns: This is the oldest activities in Yuanxiao Festival. People will light up various lanterns and hang them all over the streets and alleys, especially dazzling at night.

Eating Tangyuan: Tangyuan are the specialty food of the Yuanxiao Festival, symbolizing reunion and happiness. In China, north people call it yuanxiao and southern people call it tangyuan,they are the same thing but a little difference in their production methods and taste.

Guess lantern riddles: Chinese will write riddles on colorful lanterns for people to guess. Wisdom and fun are contained in the festive day.

Watch Dragon and lion dances: They are the traditional activities during the Yuanxiao Festival. Dragons and lions mean good luck in Chinese culture, and people perform dragon and lion dances to pray for peace and good luck.
These customs create a strong festive atmosphere of the Yuanxiao Festival, expressing people's longing and blessings for a better life.

Yuanxiao Festival blessings: Happy Yuanxiao Festival! May your family be united and complete!