Detailed explanation of the origin and meaning of the Lantern Festival custom
|
Introduction: The biggest feature of the Lantern Festival is the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Everywhere is brightly lit, and people enjoy admiring lanterns, playing with lanterns, guessing lantern riddles, etc. It is so lively! Playing with lanterns is one of the customs of the Lantern Festival. Why do we play with lanterns during the Lantern Festival? What is the origin and meaning of the Lantern Festival custom? Please see the analysis below for specific details! The first month of the lunar calendar is the beginning of spring, and there are beautiful festivals everywhere in this month. Mr. Shui Mo lists these traditional Chinese festivals and customs for you one by one. According to legend, Emperor Wu of Han had a favorite minister named Dongfang Shuo, who was kind and humorous. One winter, it snowed heavily for several days, and Dongfang Shuo went to the imperial garden to pick plum blossoms for Emperor Wu. As soon as I entered the garden, I saw a palace maid with tears streaming down her face, preparing to jump into a well. Dongfang Shuo rushed forward to rescue her and asked her why she wanted to commit suicide. It turned out that the palace maid was named Yuanxiao. She had parents and a younger sister at home. Since she entered the palace, she had never had the chance to meet her family again. Every year when the end of the year came and spring arrived, she missed her family more than usual. I feel that since I cannot fulfill my filial duties to my parents, it would be better to die. Dongfang Shuo felt deeply sympathetic after hearing her story and promised her that he would find a way to reunite her with her family. One day, Dongfang Shuo left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on Chang'an Street. Many people vied to ask him for divination. Unexpectedly, everyone’s fortune was the same: “You will be burned to death on the 16th day of the first lunar month.” For a moment, there was great panic in Chang'an. People asked for solutions to the disaster. Dongfang Shuo said, "On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the God of Fire will send a goddess in red to investigate. She is the messenger who was ordered to burn Chang'an. I will give you the copied verses, and you can let the current emperor think of a solution." After that, he threw down a red note and left. The common people took the red card and rushed to the palace to report to the emperor. Emperor Wu of Han took it and saw that it was written: "Chang'an is in danger, the imperial palace will be burned, the fire will last for fifteen days, and the flames will be red at night." He was shocked and quickly invited the resourceful Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo pretended to think about it and said, "I heard that the God of Fire loves to eat glutinous rice balls. Doesn't Yuanxiao in the palace often make glutinous rice balls for you? You can ask Yuanxiao to make glutinous rice balls on the fifteenth night. Your Majesty should burn incense and offer sacrifices, and order every family in Kyoto to make glutinous rice balls to worship the God of Fire together. Then order your subjects to hang lanterns together on the fifteenth night, and set off firecrackers and fireworks all over the city, as if the whole city is on fire. In this way, you can deceive the Jade Emperor. In addition, notify the people outside the city to come into the city to watch the lanterns on the fifteenth night and mingle with the crowd to ward off disasters and solve problems." After hearing this, Emperor Wu was very happy and ordered to do as Dongfang Shuo suggested. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the city of Chang'an was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, and tourists were bustling about, making it very lively. The parents of the palace maid Yuanxiao also brought her sister into the city to watch the lanterns. When they saw the big lantern with the word "Yuanxiao" written on it, they shouted in surprise: "Yuanxiao! Yuanxiao!" Yuanxiao heard the shouts and was finally reunited with his family. After such a lively night, Chang'an City was indeed safe and sound. Emperor Wu of Han was overjoyed, and he ordered that every fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people would make glutinous rice balls as a sacrifice to the God of Fire. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the whole city would hang lanterns and set off fireworks. Because the glutinous rice balls made on the Lantern Festival are the best, people call them Yuanxiao, and this day is called the Lantern Festival. Summary: The above article provides us with a detailed analysis of the origin and development of the Lantern Festival custom. You can learn about it. I wish you all a happy and festive Lantern Festival! After reading this article, there are more exciting contents in the special topic of the first month of the lunar calendar. Let’s take a look! |
>>: When is the Lantern Festival in 2017 and what are the customs?
Recommend
What should you pay attention to when naming a boy born in the Year of the Dog in 2018?
Introduction: The birth of a child is full of laug...
Do boys born in the beginning of winter have a strong life? Best time to give birth to a boy in the beginning of winter in 2021
Whether one has a strong fate depends mainly on th...
Is the fifth day of the sixth lunar month in 2021 suitable for starting renovations? Is it an auspicious day?
The sixth month in the lunar calendar is a short m...
The position of the God of Wealth on the 29th day of the seventh lunar month in 2020
An overview of the God of Wealth's location o...
Is the twelfth day of the eighth lunar month in 2017 a good date? Is the bed suitable?
Introduction: Our country is a traditional country...
What is the fate of a girl born on November 21st of the lunar calendar in 2020?
What is the fate of a girl born on November 21st o...
Is the 29th day of the first lunar month in 2020 a good day? What good and bad luck does it bring?
The 29th day of the first lunar month is also the ...
Can I have a caesarean section on March 21st of the lunar calendar in 2022? What should I pay attention to after the operation?
The third month of the lunar calendar is Jichun, t...
What festival is on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month in 2020? Is it a good time to open a business on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month?
Introduction: The 28th day of the twelfth lunar mo...
What is the fate of a male dog born on March 26th of the lunar calendar in 2018?
Introduction: Every day of the year, 365 days, a n...
Can I move on July 4, 2020? Lunar July moving auspicious day 2020
Introduction: It is necessary to choose an auspici...
Is April 1st, Labor Day in 2022 suitable for engagement? Is it an auspicious day?
The fourth month of the lunar calendar is Mengxia....
Is the Chinese Valentine's Day in 2019 a good day? Why does it rain on the Chinese Valentine's Day?
Introduction: Chinese Valentine's Day is an im...
How about the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month in 2021? What is it suitable for? What is not suitable for?
Different days have different good and bad qualiti...
What are the taboos on October 22, 2018 in the lunar calendar?
Shui Mo Xiansheng website has carefully compiled ...