The first month of the Chinese lunar calendar is called yuan month,
and in ancient times people called night xiao. On the fifteenth day of
the first lunar month, it is the first night to see a full moon after
the New Year. Thus, the day is called “Yuanxiao Festival” or “Shangyuan
Festival”. According to Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a
new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there
should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to
appreciate. Also, Chinese people celebrate it as Lantern Festival. The
date in the Western calendar changes annually; and in 2012, it falls on
February 6.
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| Various lanterns displayed to greet Lantern Festival |
Of course, for Lantern Festival, the displaying of lanterns is a
major event at night. In the moonlight, lanterns with various colors,
shapes, and sizes are hung in the streets. People walk at a leisurely
pace, and appreciate the creativity of diverse lanterns. Children carry
self-made or bought paper lanterns, and have fun with their family.
“Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential part for lantern watching.
The puzzles or riddles were written on a piece of paper and posted on
the lanterns. If one can solve that puzzles, a little gift would be
given.
And, Tangyuan, a traditional food for Lantern Festival, is eaten
together with family. Its name has a similar pronunciation as the word
for “reunion” in Chinese. In Northern China, it is also called “Yue
Xiao”, which derives from the festival. The food is made from glutinous
rice flour with stuffing in round shape. The difference between Tangyuan
and Yuanxiao is the way they are made. People in north China make
yuanxiao by rolling a hard stuffing in glutinous rice flour. In south
China, tangyuan is prepared by placing the filling inside rice flour
wrapping, similar to the making of jiaozi. The round shape of the balls
and the bowls where they are served, come to symbolise the family
togetherness.
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| Tang Yuan - Lucky food eaten on Lantern Festival |
Besides, some performances would be staged in the daytime of the
festival, like setting off fireworks, dragon dance, lion dance, land
boat dance, yangge dance, and walking on stilts, etc.
For more infos about Lantern Festival, please follow this link:
http://www.easytourchina.com/fact-v354-the-lantern-festival
