Let us explore the origins of the lantern festival that is seen during celebrations in the Chinese New Year.
The lantern is one of the most significant symbols of the Chinese New Year. In fact there is an entire festival known as the Chinese lantern festival celebrated at the time of New Year. In colloquial lingo the festival is known as Yuan Xiao. It gets its name from the first month of the year which is known as Yuan where as the second half of the name is what the ancient people used to refer to as night.
The lantern festival is celebrated fifteen days into the New Year on the sighting of the first full moon. The idea is to bring about a joyful atmosphere as the full moon shines bright in the sky and the masses of Chinese people gather at the place of the festival holding up colorful lanterns creating a completely lit up environment.
Chinese lanterns are very intricately designed. These items are not mere lighting objects but often have interesting puzzles made on them that might completely mesmerize you. Also rice balls are shared and eaten during this lantern festival with families and friends to represent the merry-making festival.
The origins of the lantern tradition
There are many Chinese traditions that are performed by the Chinese people and there are a lot of legendary stories behind the Lantern New Year festival. Apparently, the lord known as Taiyi was worshiped during this festival and he was the ruler of the heavens in ancient history. He had
The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the control of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pacifythe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn't create any natural disasters.
As time went, the Han dynasty patronized the festival to please lord Taiyi to very great extent and with time the ceremony became popular. It was during the reign of the ruler Wudi that this event became the most important in China and revelry went on for the entire night.
There is however another side to the story that claims the tradition actually innovated under the Taoist influence. The Tianguan is a Taoist deity believed to be responsible for fortune and good luck and had a special fondness for Chinese entertainment. So the Chinese people took to the streets performing all sorts of entertainment services to please Tianguan.
There is yet another tell tale about the origins of the lantern festival that give the credit of the invention to Emperor Mingdi. Under this story the emperor was influenced by Buddhism and a dream that he had which eventually led him to select the 15th day of the Chinese New Year as a day of lighting lanterns.
The lantern festival is one of the special events held as a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations no matter which part of the legend is genuine. These lanterns are interestingly designed with unique Chinese motifs.
The lantern is one of the most significant symbols of the Chinese New Year. In fact there is an entire festival known as the Chinese lantern festival celebrated at the time of New Year. In colloquial lingo the festival is known as Yuan Xiao. It gets its name from the first month of the year which is known as Yuan where as the second half of the name is what the ancient people used to refer to as night.
The lantern festival is celebrated fifteen days into the New Year on the sighting of the first full moon. The idea is to bring about a joyful atmosphere as the full moon shines bright in the sky and the masses of Chinese people gather at the place of the festival holding up colorful lanterns creating a completely lit up environment.
Chinese lanterns are very intricately designed. These items are not mere lighting objects but often have interesting puzzles made on them that might completely mesmerize you. Also rice balls are shared and eaten during this lantern festival with families and friends to represent the merry-making festival.
The origins of the lantern tradition
There are many Chinese traditions that are performed by the Chinese people and there are a lot of legendary stories behind the Lantern New Year festival. Apparently, the lord known as Taiyi was worshiped during this festival and he was the ruler of the heavens in ancient history. He had
The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the control of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pacifythe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn't create any natural disasters.
As time went, the Han dynasty patronized the festival to please lord Taiyi to very great extent and with time the ceremony became popular. It was during the reign of the ruler Wudi that this event became the most important in China and revelry went on for the entire night.
There is however another side to the story that claims the tradition actually innovated under the Taoist influence. The Tianguan is a Taoist deity believed to be responsible for fortune and good luck and had a special fondness for Chinese entertainment. So the Chinese people took to the streets performing all sorts of entertainment services to please Tianguan.
There is yet another tell tale about the origins of the lantern festival that give the credit of the invention to Emperor Mingdi. Under this story the emperor was influenced by Buddhism and a dream that he had which eventually led him to select the 15th day of the Chinese New Year as a day of lighting lanterns.
The lantern festival is one of the special events held as a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations no matter which part of the legend is genuine. These lanterns are interestingly designed with unique Chinese motifs.
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Chinese new year lanterns are fun and easy to make. If you want to read more about other Chinese new year customs follow the hyperlinks.
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