Detailed explanation of the origin and development of the custom of "playing with lanterns" during the Lantern Festival

Detailed explanation of the origin and development of the custom of "playing with lanterns" during the Lantern Festival
Introduction: The Lantern Festival is the most lively and grand festival after the Spring Festival. At that time, the beautiful scenery of bright lights can be seen everywhere. The Lantern Festival has a traditional custom with a particularly long history - playing with lanterns. Why do people play with lanterns during the Lantern Festival? Please follow the editor to learn about the specific content! In addition to the grand and festive celebrations of the Spring Festival, we also need to pay attention to some taboos regarding the Spring Festival. Next, let’s take a closer look at the Spring Festival special topic compiled by Mr. Shui Mo!

The origin of the Lantern Festival

It is said that a long time ago, there were many ferocious birds and beasts that hurt people everywhere, so people organized themselves to fight them. One day, a divine bird landed on the earth because it got lost, and was accidentally shot to death by an unsuspecting hunter. When the Emperor of Heaven found out, he was very angry, and ordered the heavenly soldiers to set fire to the human world on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and burn all the people, animals and property. The Emperor of Heaven's daughter was kind-hearted and could not bear to see innocent people suffer, so she risked her life and secretly came to the human world on a auspicious cloud to tell people the bad news. After hearing this, everyone was so scared that they didn't know what to do. At that time, an old man came up with an idea: "On the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of the first lunar month, every household should hang red lanterns in front of their door and set off firecrackers and fireworks. The Emperor of Heaven will think that people have been burned to death." Everyone nodded in agreement and started preparing separately. On the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the heavenly soldiers looked down at the mortal world and found it full of fire. Thinking it was the flames of a big fire, they reported to the Emperor of Heaven that there was no need to go down to earth to set the fire. After hearing this, the Emperor of Heaven was very happy. In this way, people saved their lives and property. In order to express gratitude to the daughter of the Emperor of Heaven for her kindness and to commemorate this success, from then on every year on the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the first lunar month, every household would hang up lanterns, light fireworks and set off firecrackers to commemorate this day.

The Development of the Custom of “Playing with Lanterns” during the Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is the busiest time of the year with lights, and it can be described as "fire trees and silver flowers all night long". The folk lights in Shanxi are naturally no exception. Of course, we need to distinguish between light and fire here. Lights are for playing with lanterns; fire is for setting off fireworks. Playing with lanterns is a festival custom of the Han nationality during the Lantern Festival, which originated in the Western Han Dynasty and flourished in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the custom of lighting lanterns became popular and was passed down to later generations. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the climax of the annual lantern and fireworks festival. That's why the Lantern Festival is also called the "Festival of Lanterns". In Shanxi's county towns and even villages and towns, which are densely populated and prosperous areas, before the arrival of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the streets are hung with lanterns, flowers are in bloom and lights are swaying, reaching a climax on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. "Watching the lanterns" on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month has become a spontaneous activity among the people of Shanxi. On the fifteenth night of the first lunar month, red lanterns are hung high in the streets and alleys, including palace lanterns, animal head lanterns, revolving lanterns, flower lanterns, bird lanterns, etc., attracting people to watch the lanterns. In the Taiyuan area, the lanterns of Taigu County are very famous. Taigu's lanterns are famous for their wide variety, exquisite workmanship and attractive appearance. Lanterns, also known as "colored lanterns" and "lanterns", are a cultural product of China's traditional agricultural era, combining both living functions and artistic characteristics. Lanterns have been an important entertainment culture of the Han nationality for thousands of years. They pay tribute to gods and entertain people. They have both the function of paying tribute to gods like "Nuo opera" and the value of entertaining people. They are a treasure of the Han nationality's folk culture. Lanterns originated from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty who set up an altar in the imperial palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to worship Taiyi God, the most honorable god among the gods at that time. The ceremony was held all night and lights had to be kept lit all night. This was the beginning of the Lantern Festival lighting. After Buddhism was introduced to China from India, Taoist magic and the Buddhist practice of lighting lanterns to worship Buddha were combined. On the fifteenth night of the first lunar month, cities and towns were brightly lit, and both the nobles and the common people hung lanterns, forming a unique custom that combines Chinese and Western elements. The custom of playing with lanterns began in the Western Han Dynasty and flourished in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the custom of lighting lanterns became popular and was passed down to later generations. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the climax of the annual lantern and fireworks festival.
Summary: The above article provides us with a detailed analysis of the origin and development of the Lantern Festival custom. I hope everyone can understand and feel the cultural connotations of traditional festivals and traditional customs!

After reading this article, there are more exciting content in the Spring Festival special topic, let’s take a look!

<<:  What are the Lantern Festival customs? Interpreting the Lantern Festival customs in Taiwan

>>:  Is the 17th day of the first lunar month in 2017 an auspicious day? Is it suitable for marriage?

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