Difference between revisions of "Lantern Festival"
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| − | The Lantern {{Wiki|Festival}} falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian [[calendar]]. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a {{Wiki|festival}} with great significance. | + | The Lantern {{Wiki|Festival}} falls on the 15th day of the 1st [[lunar month]], usually in February or March in the Gregorian [[calendar]]. As early as the Western {{Wiki|Han Dynasty}} (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a {{Wiki|festival}} with great significance. |
| − | This day's important [[activity]] is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), [[Buddhism]] flourished in [[China]]. One {{Wiki|emperor}} [[heard]] that [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] would watch [[sarira]], or {{Wiki|remains}} from the [[cremation]] of [[Buddha's]] [[body]], and [[light]] lanterns to worship [[Buddha]] on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to [[light]] lanterns in the imperial palace and [[temples]] to show [[respect]] to [[Buddha]] on this day. Later, the [[Buddhist]] [[rite]] developed into a grand {{Wiki|festival}} among common [[people]] and its [[influence]] expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China. | + | This day's important [[activity]] is watching lanterns. Throughout the {{Wiki|Han Dynasty}} (206 BC-AD 220), [[Buddhism]] flourished in [[China]]. One {{Wiki|emperor}} [[heard]] that [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] would watch [[sarira]], or {{Wiki|remains}} from the [[cremation]] of [[Buddha's]] [[body]], and [[light]] lanterns to {{Wiki|worship}} [[Buddha]] on the 15th day of the 1st [[lunar month]], so he ordered to [[light]] lanterns in the imperial palace and [[temples]] to show [[respect]] to [[Buddha]] on this day. Later, the [[Buddhist]] [[rite]] developed into a grand {{Wiki|festival}} among common [[people]] and its [[influence]] expanded from the {{Wiki|Central}} Plains to the whole of [[China]]. |
Till today, the lantern {{Wiki|festival}} is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited. | Till today, the lantern {{Wiki|festival}} is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited. | ||
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"Guessing lantern riddles"is an [[essential]] part of the {{Wiki|Festival}}. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The [[activity]] emerged during people's [[enjoyment]] of lanterns in the {{Wiki|Song Dynasty}} (960-1279). As riddle guessing is [[interesting]] and full of [[wisdom]], it has become popular among all {{Wiki|social}} strata. | "Guessing lantern riddles"is an [[essential]] part of the {{Wiki|Festival}}. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The [[activity]] emerged during people's [[enjoyment]] of lanterns in the {{Wiki|Song Dynasty}} (960-1279). As riddle guessing is [[interesting]] and full of [[wisdom]], it has become popular among all {{Wiki|social}} strata. | ||
| − | People will eat yuanxiao, or {{Wiki|rice}} dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the "Yuanxiao Festival."Yuanxiao also has another [[name]], tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous {{Wiki|rice}} flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried [[fruit]], sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes [[sweet]] and delicious. What's more, tangyuan in {{Wiki|Chinese}} has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan”, meaning [[reunion]]. So [[people]] eat them to denote union, [[harmony]] and [[happiness]] for the family. | + | [[People]] will eat yuanxiao, or {{Wiki|rice}} dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the "Yuanxiao Festival."Yuanxiao also has another [[name]], tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous {{Wiki|rice}} flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried [[fruit]], sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It {{Wiki|tastes}} [[sweet]] and delicious. What's more, tangyuan in {{Wiki|Chinese}} has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan”, [[meaning]] [[reunion]]. So [[people]] eat them to denote union, [[harmony]] and [[happiness]] for the family. |
| − | In the daytime of the {{Wiki|Festival}}, performances such as a [[dragon]] lantern dance, a [[lion]] dance, a land boat dance, a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while [[dancing]] will be staged. On the night, except for magnificent lanterns, fireworks [[form]] a [[beautiful]] scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring {{Wiki|Festival}} and let them off in the Lantern {{Wiki|Festival}}. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first [[full moon]] enters the New Year, [[people]] become really intoxicated by the imposing fireworks and bright {{Wiki|moon}} in the sky. | + | In the daytime of the {{Wiki|Festival}}, performances such as a [[dragon]] lantern dance, a [[lion]] dance, a land boat dance, a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while [[dancing]] will be staged. On the night, except for magnificent lanterns, fireworks [[form]] a [[beautiful]] scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring {{Wiki|Festival}} and let them off in the Lantern {{Wiki|Festival}}. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first [[full moon]] enters the New Year, [[people]] become really {{Wiki|intoxicated}} by the imposing fireworks and bright {{Wiki|moon}} in the sky. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:40, 16 September 2013
The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.
This day's important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha's body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.
Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited.
"Guessing lantern riddles"is an essential part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity emerged during people's enjoyment of lanterns in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all social strata.
People will eat yuanxiao, or rice dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the "Yuanxiao Festival."Yuanxiao also has another name, tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried fruit, sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes sweet and delicious. What's more, tangyuan in Chinese has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan”, meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote union, harmony and happiness for the family.
In the daytime of the Festival, performances such as a dragon lantern dance, a lion dance, a land boat dance, a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while dancing will be staged. On the night, except for magnificent lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people become really intoxicated by the imposing fireworks and bright moon in the sky.
