The Lantern Festival 元宵节
The Lantern Festival is the first important traditional Chinese festival after Spring Festival. We also call her Yuanxiao Festival or Shangyuan Festival.
What do you know about the Lantern Festival ? During the Lantern Festival , what do we usually eat and play ?
Origin of the Lantern Festival Customs to celebrate
Why do Chinese people call the Lantern Festival as Yuanxiao Festival?
The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival because the first lunar month is called Yuan-month ，and in the ancient times people called night Xiao. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuan Xiao Festival in China.
★ History 1 Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night. Qingshihuang
Until the Sui Dynasty in the sixth century, Emperor Yanguang invited envoys from other countries to China to see the colorful lighted lanterns and enjoy the gala performances. ★ History 2 Yangguang
★ History 3 By the beginning of the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century, the lantern displays would last three days. The emperor also allow the people to enjoy the festive lanterns day and night.
★ History 4 In the Song Dynasty, the festival was celebrated for five days and the activities began to spread to many of the big cities in China. Colorful glass and even jade were used to make lanterns, with figures from folk tales painted on the lanterns. ZhaoKuangyin
★ History 5 The largest Lantern Festival celebration took place in the early part of the 15th century. The festivities continued for ten days. The first emperor of the Ming Dynasty had the downtown area set aside as a center for displaying the lanterns. ZhuYuanzhang
★ History 6 Today, the displaying of lanterns is still a big event on the 15th day of the first lunar month throughout China. People enjoy the brightly lit night. Chengdu in Southwest China Sichuan Province, for example, holds a lantern fair each year in the Cultural Park. During the Lantern Festival, the park is literally an ocean of lanterns! Many new designs attract countless visitors. The most eye-catching lantern is the Dragon Pole.
Chinese Valentine's day The Lantern Festival is also a Chinese romantic festival .There were chances for boys and girls to meet each other in the Lantern Party . The young girls were not allowed to go out for free activities in the traditional society, but they can go outside and play in this evening .So unmarried men and women can also find your own lovers by the way . .
Romantic Story Dongfang Shuo & Maid Yuanxiao
In brief The Lantern Festival is Chinese Valentine's day in ancient times at least.
Ancient poems 月上柳梢头，人约黄昏后 Written by O’yang xiu in North Song Dynasty 众里寻她千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处 Written by Xingqi JI in South Song Dynasty
Customs to celebrate Let’s see some photos! Eat these sweet soup balls or rice dumplings Yuanxiao in north of China Tangyuan in South of China Let’s see some photos!
Sesame 芝麻
What delicious! Don’t you want to eat them?
Customs to celebrate Stilts-Walking (with long stilt tied to their feet ) dragon lantern dance
Customs to celebrate local lantern exhibition (the most appealing activity )
“Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential part of the Festival. Customs to celebrate guess lantern riddles “Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential part of the Festival.
lantern Riddles
It is time to guess riddles
1.What is the end of everything? The letter “g” 2. What question can never be answered by “yes”? Are you asleep? 3. Where does afternoon come before morning in the world？ In the dictionary. 4. What tree is always very sad? Weeping willow垂柳.（Weep means cry） 5. What can children do that adults can’t？ Grow up
Thank you