Shuo came to met the emperor and said that according to his fortune-telling, a calamitous fire will happen on the fifteenth lunar day. Shuo promised to find a way to reunite her with her family. If she could not have the chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. She said her name was Yuan-Xiao, a maid in the emperor’s palace and that she never had a chance to see her family since she started working there.
One day, he heard a maid crying and attempt to jump into a well to commit suicide. In Han Dynasty, a favorite adviser of the emperor named Dongfang Shuo (东方朔). “Nao” can be interpreted as having fun, or going wild with excitement.Īnother legend about the origins of Lantern Festival involves a maid named Yuan-Xiao. Every household would light candles and lanterns. To celebrate the return of peace, he made the 15th a national holiday. The new emperor was Emperor Wen (汉文帝-hàn wén dì). Intense power play and unrest came after his reign. The general consensus is that the festival began more than 2000 years ago in the Western Han Dynasty.Įmperor Wu (汉武帝-hàn wǔ dì) designated this day for worship rituals for Taiyi (太一神-tài yī shén), one of the universe’s sovereigns. It was important in ancient Chinese paganism, and also modern day Buddhism and ethnic minority cultures. On a more serious side, the Lantern Festival also has religious aspects. The wild and romantic stories are why some say the Lantern Festival is the true Chinese Valentine’s Day, rather than Qixi (七夕). But on this night, they can stroll freely, lighting lanterns, playing games and interacting with men. In Ancient China, women usually weren’t allowed out the house. The Chinese New Year holiday comes to its climax with the Yuan Xiao (元宵节-yuán xiāo jié), or Lantern Festival. Though the Lantern Festival symbolizes reunions (more on that later), it’s also a time of socializing and freedom. Stores reopen on the 5th and society basically goes back to normal.īut on the 15th, everyone-regardless of age or gender-go out onto the streets to celebrate. There is the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, visits (拜年-bài nián) to in-laws on the 2nd day and neighbors after that. The Spring Festival is a time reserved for families. The date of the Lantern Festival of 2018 is March 2nd.Ĭultural Significance of the Lantern Festival According to the lunar calendar, the festival takes place on January 15. The many activities include moon gazing, lighting lanterns, riddles, lion dances and eating rice balls. Some also call this the “true” Chinese Valentine’s Day. It features ancient spiritual traditions. It celebrates family reunions and society. Began over 2000 years ago, the festival has developed many meanings.
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