Lantern Festival, also known as "Shangyuan Festival," is one of China's traditional festivals, usually celebrated on the fifteenth day of the lunar month. This festival carries rich historical and cultural significance, intertwined with touching legends, making it a crucial part of Chinese culture. How much do you know about the history and legends of the Lantern Festival?
The Origin of Lantern Festival: Legend of Colorful Lanterns
Long ago, when fierce beasts threatened the safety of people and livestock, the community united to bravely confront these vicious creatures. However, a divine bird, lost and descended to the human realm, tragically lost its life in the hands of an unaware hunter. Outraged, the Heavenly Emperor ordered a massive fire on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, intending to burn everything on Earth.
The kind-hearted daughter of the Heavenly Emperor couldn't bear to see the innocent suffer. Risking her life, she secretly descended to Earth, informing the people of this impending disaster. Upon hearing the news, the people were struck with fear and anxiety. In the face of this crisis, a wise elder proposed a unique plan: on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth days of the lunar month, every household should hang lanterns, light firecrackers, and set off fireworks. This way, the Heavenly Emperor would mistakenly believe that Earth had already succumbed to a massive fire. With everyone working together, preparations were made. On the night of the fifteenth, the entire sky was illuminated by lanterns and fireworks. When the Heavenly Emperor looked down, he saw the red glow illuminating the Earth and assumed it was consumed by flames, bringing him great relief.
Since then, in commemoration of this successful escape from disaster, every family hangs lanterns and celebrates life's continuity on the fifteenth day of the lunar month.
Celebrating Victory: Emperor Wen's Memorial and Joy
Another legend of the Lantern Festival is connected to Emperor Wen of Han, commemorating the victory over the Lü Clan. After the death of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, Empress Lü seized power, turning the Liu Dynasty into the Lü Dynasty. This tyranny deeply angered the old ministers of the court. With the concerted efforts of these ministers, Lü and her son were removed, and Liu's rule was restored.
To commemorate this victory, Emperor Wen designated the fifteenth day of the lunar month as a day of joy and celebration for all. On this day, every household in the capital adorned itself with lanterns, celebrating the restoration of peace and prosperity.
This tradition continues to this day, and the fifteenth day of the lunar month has become a nationwide celebration known as "Nao Yuanxiao."
The Touching Story of Dong Fang Shuo and Yuanxiao Maiden
There is also a deeply touching legend associated with the tradition of eating yuanxiao (sweet dumplings) during the Lantern Festival. It is said that during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, a beloved courtier named Dong Fang Shuo discovered a weeping palace maid named Yuanxiao. Overwhelmed by homesickness, Yuanxiao was contemplating suicide. To save her life, Dong Fang Shuo ingeniously devised a divination plan. He made the emperor believe that a catastrophic fire would break out on the sixteenth day of the lunar month. To avert this disaster, people were instructed to hang lanterns, set off fireworks, and celebrate on the fifteenth night. The plan succeeded, and the people of Chang'an rejoiced under the illuminated lanterns. Not only did they escape calamity, but Yuanxiao also reunited with her family.
This story, full of wisdom and warmth, highlights the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture. Today, as we hang lanterns, eat yuanxiao, and set off fireworks every year during the Lantern Festival, we commemorate the clever actions of the kind-hearted courtier Dong Fang Shuo.
Modern Customs of Lantern Festival in Contemporary Society
In modern society, the celebration of the Lantern Festival has transcended borders, becoming a cultural feast shared by the global Chinese community. Simultaneously, traditional customs of the Lantern Festival have undergone innovation and development. During the Lantern Festival, various celebratory activities take place, such as admiring lanterns, watching fireworks, solving lantern riddles, dragon and lion dances, and more. These activities aim to express people's wishes for prosperity, unity, and happiness. Moreover, the Lantern Festival remains a crucial family reunion holiday, with families coming together to make and enjoy traditional foods like tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings) to symbolize unity and harmony.
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