The food known as "yuanxiao" has a long history, originally called "floating yuanzi" before being named "yuanxiao." Since the Song Dynasty, a novel food eaten during the Lantern Festival has been popular among the people. In southern regions, it is also called "tangyuan," made from glutinous rice flour with a filling inside. It can be boiled, fried, or steamed, symbolizing family reunion and harmony.
Lantern Festivities
The Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month has long been associated with lantern displays, earning it the name "Lantern Festival." In bustling districts, streets are adorned with lanterns before the fifteenth arrives, creating a vibrant, flower-filled spectacle.
Riddle-Guessing
Riddle-guessing, also known as solving lantern riddles, is a uniquely Chinese traditional folk entertainment activity with rich ethnic flavor. This distinctive Lantern Festival activity has been passed down since ancient times. On this day, colorful lanterns are hung throughout the streets, with riddles written on paper strips and attached to the vibrant lanterns for people to solve.This practice both stimulates the mind and enhances the festive atmosphere, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient people and their aspirations for a better life.
Dragon Dance
The dragon dance is another traditional custom of the Lantern Festival, also known as dragon lantern dance or simply dragon dance. The dragon is regarded as a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture, and dragon dances are popular in many regions across China.
Stilt Walking
Stilt walking is a popular folk performance art. Stilt walking originated as one of the ancient Chinese hundred arts, appearing as early as the Spring and Autumn Period.
The Origin of the Lantern Festival
It traces its roots to the ancient folk custom of lighting lanterns to pray for blessings.
The formation of the Lantern Festival involved a relatively long process. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival, also known as the Upper Yuan Festival, Yuan Night, or Lantern Festival. The first lunar month is called "Yuan" in ancient Chinese, and the night was referred to as "Xiao," hence the fifteenth day of the first lunar month became known as the "Lantern Festival."In folk tradition, lantern lighting for blessings typically began with "trial lanterns" on the night of the fourteenth. The fifteenth night was the "main lantern display," when people lit lamps—also called "offering lamps"—to worship deities and pray for blessings. Thus, by the fifteenth day, lighting lanterns became an established custom.