Is Yuanxiao the same as Lantern Festival? What are the traditional customs?

Is Yuanxiao the same as Lantern Festival? What are the traditional customs?
Introduction: Do you know what the Lantern Festival is? You may not be familiar with the word Yuanxi, but in fact, the word Yuanxi appears in many ancient poems. Yuanxi and Shangyuan both mean the Lantern Festival, which is another name for the Lantern Festival in ancient times. Let’s take a look at the specific content below! During the first month of the lunar calendar, you will have a good year. The first month is the most important month of spring. Mr. Shui Mo will share with you some knowledge about January.

What is the Lantern Festival?

Shangyuan and Yuanxi both refer to the Lantern Festival. It is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is the traditional Han festival Lantern Festival. The first month of the lunar calendar is the Yuan month, but the ancients called the night "Xiao", and the fifteenth day of the first month is the first full moon night of the year, so the fifteenth day of the first month is called the Lantern Festival. Also known as the Lantern Festival. According to traditional Han customs, on the festive night when the new year begins and the earth comes back to life, the moon is high in the sky and there are thousands of colorful lanterns on the ground. People watch the lanterns, guess riddles, eat Yuanxiao, and reunite with their families in a joyful atmosphere.

The Origin of Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is the first full-moon night of the year. “As the new year begins, lights become brighter.” The Lantern Festival is a Han festival formed by the convergence of multiple cultures. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Wu Zimu said in "Dreams of the Southern Song Dynasty": "The Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month is the day when the Heavenly Official bestows blessings." The Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month is also known as the Lantern Festival or the Shangyuan Festival, and because it is the last climax of the Spring Festival, every household celebrates with great enthusiasm, so it is also called the Little New Year. A traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. On this day, people eat "medicine rice" or "grain rice" and drink "Cong'er wine" in the morning. Another theory is that the custom of lighting lanterns during the Lantern Festival originated from the Taoist "Three Yuan Theory"; "Sui Shi Miscellaneous Notes" said that this followed the old Taoist customs. Taoism calls the 15th day of the first lunar month the "Shangyuan Festival", the 15th day of the seventh lunar month the "Zhongyuan Festival", and the 15th day of the tenth lunar month the "Xiayuan Festival", collectively known as the "Three Yuans". The three officials in charge of the upper, middle and lower Yuan are the three officials of heaven, earth and man respectively. The official of heaven is happy, so lights must be lit on the Lantern Festival. The Shangyuan Festival is also known as the "Shangyuan Tianguan Festival", which celebrates the birthday of Ziwei Emperor, the heavenly official who bestows blessings during the Shangyuan Festival; the Zhongyuan Festival is also known as the "Zhongyuan Diguan Festival", which celebrates the birthday of Qingxu Emperor, the earthly official who pardons sins during the Zhongyuan Festival; the Xiayuan Festival is also known as the "Xiayuan Benguan Festival", which celebrates the birthday of Dongyin Emperor, the water official who relieves disasters during the Xiayuan Festival.

The Origin of Lantern Festival

In ancient times, the Lantern Festival was also known as the Shangyuan Festival, Yuanxiao Festival, Lantern Festival, etc. Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng avoided the word "zheng", so it is also called "Duan Yue Shiwu". The day is a full day, also known as the full moon day, which symbolizes reunion and happiness. When Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty suggested that Emperor Wu of Han revise the calendar, the Lantern Festival was listed as an important folk festival of the Han nationality. The Lantern Festival originated in the Han Dynasty and is said to have been established during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han to commemorate the "suppression of the Lü clan." After the death of Emperor Hui of Han, Liu Ying, Empress Lü usurped power and the Lü clan controlled the government. After Empress Lü's death, Zhou Bo, Chen Ping and others eliminated her forces and supported Liu Heng as Emperor Wen of Han. Because the day when the Lü clan was pacified was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, from then on every fifteenth night of the first lunar month, Emperor Wen of Han would leave the palace in plain clothes to celebrate with the people as a sign of commemoration. And the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is designated as the Lantern Festival. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, sacrificial activities to the "Taiyi God" were held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Sima Qian listed the Lantern Festival as a major festival in the "Taichu Calendar".

Customs of Lantern Festival

1. Eating "Yuanxiao" on the Lantern Festival Eating Yuanxiao on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is a long-standing custom in China. Yuanxiao is also known as "tangyuan". Its preparation, ingredients and flavors vary, but the meaning of eating Yuanxiao is the same. It represents reunion, harmony and happiness, and a more prosperous life. There is a saying that harmony brings wealth. Family harmony and family reunion are such important factors for a complete family. Therefore, it is important to eat "Yuanxiao" with your family during the Lantern Festival.
2. "Sending Lanterns" on the Lantern Festival "Sending Lanterns" is abbreviated as "sending lanterns", and its actual meaning is sending lanterns to children. That is, before the Lantern Festival, the daughter’s parents would send lanterns to her family, or relatives and friends would send lanterns to the family of a newly married couple who are infertile, in the hope of having a child, because “lantern” and “ding” are homophones. It means that the daughter will be blessed with good fortune after marriage and give birth to a son soon. If the daughter is pregnant, in addition to the large palace lantern, one or two pairs of small lanterns should also be given to wish her a safe pregnancy. 3. Dragon Lantern Festival The dragon is the totem of China. The Chinese nation worships the dragon and regards it as a symbol of good luck. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the festive atmosphere of dragon dancing, singing and dancing is spread to many places. 4. Lion Dance on the Lantern Festival Lion dance, also known as "lion dance", "lion lantern" and "lion dance", is mostly performed during festivals and festive events. In the eyes of the Chinese, the lion is a auspicious animal, symbolizing good luck and fortune. Therefore, the lion dance activity embodies the people's good wishes to eliminate disasters and seek good fortune. 5. Guessing riddles on Lantern Festival During the Lantern Festival, riddles are posted in various places, hoping that this year will be joyous and peaceful. Because riddles can enlighten the mind and are interesting, they are welcomed by all walks of life during the process of circulation. During the Tang and Song dynasties, various acrobatic performances began to appear in lantern fairs. In addition to lantern riddles and various kinds of singing and dancing, the lantern fairs in the Ming and Qing dynasties also added opera performances. 6. Stilt-walking on the Lantern Festival Stilt-walking is usually organized by the masses spontaneously. The street parade begins on the 11th and 12th day of the first lunar month, implying that people should register for one of the many folk flower festivals this year. The street festival officially starts on the 15th day of the first lunar month and ends on the 18th.
Summary: After reading the introduction in the above article, we know that the Lantern Festival is also called "Yuan Xi" and "Shang Yuan". We also know the traditional folk customs and activities of the Lantern Festival. I hope everyone can learn more about the culture of traditional festivals and feel the wonderfulness of traditional festivals!

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!

<<:  What customs do ethnic minorities have for celebrating the Lantern Festival?

>>:  What is the meaning and representation of the Lantern Festival?

Recommend

Is it bad if the Grain Full solar term falls on the Jiazi day or the Gengchen day? What should we do during Grain Full solar term?

Introduction: Grain Full is an important solar ter...

Is June 19th of the lunar calendar 2018 suitable for opening a new store?

The Fortune Teller website has carefully compiled...

Is it not suitable to get married or engaged in April of the lunar calendar in 2020? How to choose an auspicious date for marriage?

Is it not suitable to get married or engaged in Ap...

Is the 2018 Lantern Festival on a good lunar calendar? Is it suitable to open a new store on the Lantern Festival?

Introduction: Opening a business is also an import...

When is the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month in 2018? Do people celebrate the Lantern Festival abroad?

China has formed various traditional festivals thr...

The fate of a baby girl born on September 19th of the lunar calendar in 2022

Everyone's five elements and eight characters ...

What are the do's and don'ts on May 24th of the lunar calendar in 2017?

The fifth month of the lunar calendar is the Drag...

Is the third day of the eighth lunar month in 2021 suitable for starting renovations?

Chinese people attach great importance to the Feng...

What are the taboos on December 26th of the lunar calendar in 2019?

What are the taboos on December 26th of the lunar...

Is it a good idea to hold the funeral on March 16th of the lunar calendar in 2018?

Introduction: Birth, aging, illness and death are ...

2018 Lunar April 20th Auspicious Hours, Good and Bad Hours

If you want to know more about the days in April ...

What are the do's and don'ts on March 17th of the lunar calendar in 2020?

Days can be auspicious or inauspicious. Do you wa...

What are some famous people who were born during the Spring Festival?

The Spring Festival is a day for family happiness ...

What is the fate of a boy born on May 30th of the lunar calendar in 2021?

The fifth month of the lunar calendar is the plum ...

Are highways free during the 2018 Dragon Boat Festival? How many days will they be free?

Introduction: During holidays, people naturally tr...