Chinese Lantern Festival What You Need to Know
Chinese Lantern Festival Overview🎃
The Chinese Lantern Festival, also known as “Yuanxiao Festival,” marks the final significant event of the Chinese New Year celebrations, occurring annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month. According to ancient Chinese calendars, the first month is called “Yuan.” The term “Yuan” means “beginning,” and “Xiao” refers to “night,” signifying the first full moon night of the new year.
This is why the festival is called “Yuanxiao.” Historically, people celebrated by lighting lanterns, hence it’s also known as the Chinese Lantern Festival. Before the Song Dynasty, it was called “Yuan Ye,” “Yuan Xi,” or “Shangyuan.” After the Song Dynasty, the term “Yuanxiao” became more widely used.
*Making tangyuan for the Chinese Lantern Festival.
*Admiring lanterns during the Chinese Lantern Festival.
The formation of the Chinese Lantern Festival took a long time, and there are many theories about its origin. A widely accepted belief is that it dates back to the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who ordered the lighting of lanterns to honor the deity Taiyi on the first day of the lunar new year. Thus, it has been celebrated in China for over two thousand years.
After the Taichu Calendar was established during the Han Dynasty, the 15th day of the first lunar month was officially designated as an important holiday. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, lighting lanterns became a national event and gradually evolved into a folk custom.
The Chinese Lantern Festival signifies the beginning of spring and the return of warmth to the earth. It has always been associated with renewal, and activities are centered around joy and celebration. Customs include moon gazing, lighting lanterns, setting off fireworks, guessing riddles written on lanterns, and eating “Yuanxiao” or “Tangyuan” (glutinous rice balls), which symbolize family reunion and happiness.
The festival also features lively performances like dragon and lion dances, stilt walking, and other folk activities, all reflecting people’s wishes for a prosperous year. The Chinese Lantern Festival is a true carnival in Chinese society. From New Year’s Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month, everyone—men, women, young, and old—participates in the festivities.
The festival is not only celebrated across mainland China and Taiwan but also holds great significance in Chinese communities around the world. In 2008, it was recognized as part of China’s national intangible cultural heritage.
*The lion dance show on the Chinese Lantern Festival.
Origins 💡
The Story of Emperor Wen of Han One story traces the festival to Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. After the death of Emperor Hui, his mother, Empress Lü, seized power, and her clan controlled the court. When Empress Lü passed away, a group of loyal officials eliminated her relatives and helped Liu Heng ascend the throne as Emperor Wen. The victory happened on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and Emperor Wen marked the occasion by celebrating with the people every year. The first lunar month is called “Yuan” in Chinese, and “Xiao” refers to “night,” thus giving the festival its name.
Worshiping the God Taiyi Another theory is that the Chinese Lantern Festival stems from the ancient practice of worshipping Taiyi, the god of heaven, during the early Han Dynasty. According to historical records, Emperor Wu would hold ceremonies to honor Taiyi with lanterns on the first day of the lunar year. This practice, later supported by scholars like Song Hongmai and Zhu Bian, became a well-known explanation for the festival’s origin. The “Taichu Calendar” established the 15th day of the first lunar month as a major holiday.
Taoist Origins In Taoism, the universe is divided into three realms: Heaven, Earth, and Water, governed by the “Three Officials.” By the Northern Wei Dynasty, these were linked to the “Three Yuan” festivals: the Shangyuan Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month (celebrating the birth of the Heavenly Official), the Zhongyuan Festival on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, and the Xiayuan Festival on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month. This belief system, dating back to the Liu Song period, contributed to the Chinese Lantern Festival’s development as a time to celebrate blessings from the Heavenly Official.
Buddhist Influence The festival’s association with lighting lanterns is also linked to Buddhism. According to Buddhist teachings, light symbolizes the power of Buddha and can dispel darkness, representing the eradication of human suffering. Historical texts mention that during the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, Buddhist monks from the West introduced the practice of lighting lanterns to honor the Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Emperor Ming himself participated in these lantern-lighting ceremonies, marking the beginning of the custom.
Duration of the Festival
The Chinese Lantern Festival evolved over time. While some scholars debate its exact origins, it is generally accepted that the festival began during the Han and Wei periods and reached its peak during the Tang and Song dynasties. Initially celebrated for a single day in the Han Dynasty, the festival lasted three days during the Tang period, five days in the Song period, and up to ten days in the Ming Dynasty.
It became the longest-running lantern festival in Chinese history. By the Qing Dynasty, the festival’s duration was shortened to four or five days. During the festival, different days had different names for the lanterns. The first day was called “Trial Lanterns,” the 15th day was “Main Lantern,” and the final day was “Residual Lantern” or “Fading Lantern.”
Lanterns were also categorized as “Divine Lanterns,” “Human Lanterns,” and “Ghost Lanterns.” On the 14th, people would light “Divine Lanterns” at home to honor ancestors, while the 15th featured “Human Lanterns” placed in windows and on furniture to ward off pests. The 16th day’s “Ghost Lanterns” were set out in cemeteries to guide wandering spirits.
*Eat dumplings on the Lantern Festival.
*Put off lanterns in the Lantern Festival.
Folk Legends🐉
Ancient Torch Festival According to some legends, the Lantern Festival originated from the ancient practice of villagers lighting torches to drive away insects and pests, praying for a good harvest. In parts of Southwest China, people still carry torches made of reeds or branches and dance in fields to celebrate. This torch festival became widespread during the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties, with participants numbering in the tens of thousands.
The Story of Lady Yuanxiao Another popular legend tells the story of Lady Yuanxiao, a maid in the palace of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Desperate to see her family, she attempted to take her own life. Emperor Wu’s loyal servant, Dongfang Shuo, saved her and devised a plan to reunite her with her family.
He predicted a fire on the 16th day of the first lunar month and suggested that the emperor allow the people to light lanterns across the city to avert disaster. As a result, Lady Yuanxiao’s parents were able to enter the city, and the family was joyfully reunited. This story contributed to the tradition of lighting lanterns during the festival.
Festival Customs💃
Eating Yuanxiao During the Tang and Song dynasties, the custom of eating “Yuanxiao” (sweet glutinous rice balls) began. Yuanxiao, also known as “Tangyuan,” are round and symbolize reunion and happiness. This tradition has been passed down through the centuries and remains an essential part of the Lantern Festival today.
The Festive Spirit As the grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival is a time for joyous celebration. People light lanterns, set off fireworks, guess riddles, and gather with family and friends. The festival showcases the warmth and vibrancy of Chinese culture and traditions.
Lantern Viewing The custom of lighting and viewing lanterns began in the Han Dynasty and flourished during the Tang and Song periods. The lanterns, often intricately designed and vividly colored, became a symbol of the festival. The lantern displays have grown more elaborate over the centuries, turning the Lantern Festival into one of the most spectacular celebrations in Chinese culture.
Riddle Guessing Riddle guessing, or “Lantern Riddles,” became popular during the Song Dynasty. These riddles are often written on the lanterns, offering an entertaining and intellectual challenge for festival-goers. Guessing riddles is one of the key activities that adds to the festive atmosphere.
*Eat tangyuan on Lantern Festival.
Economic Impact 💴
Festivals drive consumer spending. The “Lantern Festival economy” sees increased consumption of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), lanterns, and lantern shows. Businesses seize the opportunity, offering a variety of offline promotions, sparking a wave of spending. Special festival-themed events such as “free tangyuan” or limited-time offers on signature Lantern Festival dishes draw crowds.
As the final holiday of the Spring Festival period, social gatherings lead to a surge in restaurant reservations. Some restaurants cater to the post-holiday demand for lighter, nostalgic dishes by offering “bittersweet” meals, with coarse grains, wild vegetables, and traditional staples being especially popular.
The festival also boosts the night-time economy. Events like “Lantern Festival Night at the Forbidden City” and other lantern shows and fireworks displays across cities attract large crowds, promoting nighttime activities and spending. Creative cultural activities tied to the Lantern Festival tap into people’s desire to explore at night, fueling the growth of the night economy and showcasing its potential.
Cultural Significance📖
The Lantern Festival is a celebration of reunion. Chinese people value “roundness” or “completeness,” which symbolizes emotional and spiritual unity, harmony, and good fortune. The festival’s lively atmosphere is encapsulated by the word “nao,” meaning bustling, joyous, and full of life. This enthusiasm for the festival is deeply rooted in a love for family and nation, with the shared experience of the holiday reinforcing national unity and familial bonds.
The Lantern Festival is also steeped in poetic beauty, with the full moon serving as a symbol of aspirations and dreams. Over the centuries, many poems and literary works have captured the festival’s essence, offering a window into its cultural richness.
The festival’s lantern displays, symbolizing national prosperity and the well-being of the people, have been highly valued throughout Chinese history. Lantern-making, a form of traditional Chinese art, has evolved over two millennia, blending techniques like paper crafting, embroidery, carving, and calligraphy. In 2006, Chinese lantern-making was recognized as part of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.
Social Influence🧑💼
The Lantern Festival is not an isolated event but a key part of the broader Spring Festival customs. The Chinese New Year celebrations begin with New Year’s Eve and culminate on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month with the Lantern Festival. During this period, social activities expand from immediate family gatherings on New Year’s Day to visiting extended relatives and friends.
By the fifteenth day, the entire community, from children to the elderly, participates in the festival, making it a truly communal event. The Lantern Festival represents the peak of this season of celebration, offering a sense of connection and interaction among all members of society, even between strangers.
Traditional Chinese festivals cater to both material and spiritual needs, providing unique foods and rituals for each occasion. On the Lantern Festival, families eat tangyuan, which sounds like “reunion,” symbolizing family togetherness and harmony.
Across China, people engage in prayers and rituals, asking for divine protection. While the gods worshiped and prayer methods vary by region, the core purpose—praying for a bountiful harvest—remains constant, underscoring the agricultural roots of the festival.
*Lantern Festival parade.
*Wrap handmade glutinous rice balls.
International Celebrations🌏
For Chinese communities overseas, the Chinese Lantern Festival holds great significance. As they preserve their traditions while blending with local cultures, unique customs have developed. Many countries influenced by Chinese culture also celebrate the festival.
In Singapore, where over 70% of the population is Chinese, the Lantern Festival is a major celebration. The streets are adorned with various lanterns for people to enjoy, and a special local twist comes in the form of colorful tangyuan. In recent years, Singapore’s Hokkien Association has held lively street processions during the festival, featuring martial arts performances, lion dances, and traditional Nanyin music.
In Malaysia, there is a unique tradition called “men throw bananas, women throw mandarin oranges.” Single men and women gather by rivers or lakes on the night of the festival, throwing fruits with their contact information in hopes of finding a romantic match.
In the U.S., Chinatown districts across the country come alive during the Lantern Festival. Festivities include dragon and lion dances, parades, and lantern displays. San Francisco’s Lunar New Year Parade, over a century old, is one of the largest nighttime parades in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the top ten parades in the world.