What is the origin and historical development of the Lantern Festival?
The Lantern Festival is a large traditional festival in my country. It has a history of thousands of years and has undergone changes in various dynasties to finally become what it is today. What is the origin and historical development of the Lantern Festival? For more details about the 2018 Lunar New Year calendar, please visit the Fortune Teller website for consultation!The Origin of the Lantern FestivalDuring the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming promoted Buddhism. He heard that in Buddhism, monks would view Buddha relics and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. So he ordered that lanterns be lit in the imperial palace and temples on that night to worship Buddha, and ordered both the nobles and common people to hang lanterns, which led to the Lantern Festival. Later, this Buddhist ritual festival gradually became a grand folk festival. This festival has gone through a development process from the palace to the folk, and from the Central Plains to the whole country.The historical development of the Lantern FestivalDuring the Tang Dynasty, when national power was unprecedentedly strong, the Lantern Festival was very popular. Whether in the capital or in rural areas, colorful lanterns were hung everywhere. People also made huge lantern wheels, lantern trees, lamp posts, etc. The city was full of lights and flowers, and it was very prosperous and lively.During the Song Dynasty, besides the revelry of "women strolling in the streets from night to dawn, with men and women mixing together", officials also distributed red envelopes and the king and the people enjoyed the Lantern Festival together. There was even a horror element to the Lantern Festival, with prison institutions using lights and images to act out prison stories or display prison equipment. The Lantern Festival developed into the most lively secular carnival in the Song Dynasty. The Lantern Festival became more colorful. The Lantern Festival lasted for five days. The styles of lanterns were complicated and varied. Visiting the lantern market was a very pleasant thing. The poet Xin Qiji wrote: "The east wind blows thousands of flowers in the night, and blows them down like rain of stars." This was referring to the Song Dynasty Lantern Festival when there were countless lanterns and fireworks like rain of stars. At that time, there was also a trend of guessing lantern riddles. Various riddles were written on pieces of paper and pasted on lanterns. Those who guessed correctly could get a small reward. This kind of entertaining and educational activity is popular among people and widely spread. During the Yuan Dynasty, most holidays were cancelled. The rulers of the Yuan Dynasty believed that life lies in movement and work is rest, so there were only 16 holidays throughout the year. The Lantern Festival in the Ming Dynasty lasted longer, from the eighth to the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, a full ten days, to show prosperity and dancing. During the Qing Dynasty, the Manchus took control of the Central Plains and the palace no longer held lantern festivals, but folk lantern festivals were still spectacular. The Lantern Festival in the Qing Dynasty lasted only three days, but the lights were bright and the lanterns were more exquisite and fantastic, which was still very attractive. In modern times, the date has been shortened to five days, a period that continues to this day. In 2015, representatives and deputies suggested that the Lantern Festival be a holiday. |
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