Lantern Festival: lanterns, riddles, food & romance
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E-mail CNTV, March 6, 2015
The first full moon of every lunar new year falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. And in China, this day is known as "Yuanxiaojie", or the Lantern Festival. But what specific legends and customs set this particular festival out from the rest?
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Lantern Festival: lanterns, riddles, food & romance |
As the name of the festival suggests, lanterns play a leading role. As the first full moon of the new year rises, people come out onto the streets with their glowing and colorful creations.
The works of art cover a diverse range of themes, from nature and folklore to history and ancient wisdom. This custom began around the time of the Han Dynasty, some 2,000 years ago. During the festival, lantern displays across China made for a grand scene and inspired ever-lasting pieces of poetry.
Another popular tradition of the holiday is the solving of riddles. During the Song Dynasty, people would write riddles on their lanterns and ask others to resolve them. These were later handed down as a kind of brain teaser, enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
Chinese families love to look after their appetites, and yuanxiao, which are round sticky dumplings with sweet fillings, are very popular. The shape is meant to evoke the spirit of family unity and harmony. The word "yuan" or "roundness" suggests attainment of the five kinds of happiness: long life, wealth, peace, virtue and honor.
And for those looking for an amorous angle to the festival, there is something for that too. In feudal times, young girls were not allowed to go out freely. But on the night of the Lantern Festival, they walked around carefree, meeting and talking with young men, which always added a romantic atmosphere to the night.
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