Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday, the Lantern Festival customs have a long process of formation, rooted in the ancient folk custom of opening the lights to pray for blessings. The opening of lights for blessing usually begins on the 14th night of the first month “test lights”, and on the 15th night “lights”, folk have to light lamps, also known as “send lamps and jars”, in order to pray to the gods.
The introduction of Buddhist culture in the Eastern Han Dynasty also had an important role in the formation of Lantern Festival customs. During the Yongping period of Emperor Ming of Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming of Han Dynasty ordered that the 15th night of the first month in the palace and monasteries to “burn lamps to show Buddha” in order to promote Buddhism. Therefore, the custom of lighting lanterns on the 15th day of the first month gradually expanded in China with the expansion of the influence of Buddhist culture and later the addition of Taoist culture.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the practice of lighting lanterns at the Lantern Festival became popular. Emperor Wu of Liang was a firm believer in Buddhism, and his palace was decorated with lanterns on the 15th day of the first month. During the Tang Dynasty, the cultural exchange between China and foreign countries became closer, Buddhism flourished, and it was common for officials and people to “light lamps for Buddha” on the 15th day of the first month, so Buddhist lamps spread all over the folk. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, the Lantern Festival became a legal event. The 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar is the Lantern Festival.
The 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar is the Lantern Festival, also known as the Shang Yuan Festival, the Lantern Festival, and the Lantern Festival. The first month is the first month of the lunar calendar, and the ancient people called the night “night”, so the 15th day of the first month is called “Lantern Festival”.
With the changes in society and the times, the customs and practices of the Lantern Festival have long changed, but it is still a traditional Chinese folk festival. On the night of the 15th day of the first month, Chinese people have a series of traditional folk activities such as viewing lanterns, eating dumplings, eating Lantern Festival, guessing lantern riddles, and setting off fireworks.
Post time: Feb-06-2023