Let us explore the origins of the lantern festival that is seen during celebrations in the Chinese New Year.
One of the vital sign of the Chinese New Year is the lantern. During the time of New Year, there is a festival celebrated known as the Chinese lantern festival. The Chinese people refer it to as Yuan Xiao festival. The word Yuan originates from the starting month in a lunar year and the second comes from the word that is referred to by the Chinese people as the night.
The lantern festival is celebrated fifteen days into the New Year on the sighting of the first full moon. The idea is to bring about a joyful environment as the full moon shines bright in the sky and the masses of Chinese people gather at the place of the festival holding up colorful lanterns creating a completely lit up environment.
Chinese lanterns are very intricately designed. These items are not mere lighting objects but often have engaging puzzles made on them that might completely mesmerize you. Also rice balls are shared and eaten during this lantern festival with families and friends to represent the merry-making festival.
The beginings of the lantern tradition
There are many Chinese traditions that are performed by the Chinese people and there are a lot of legendary stories behind the Lantern New Year festival. Apparently, the lord known as Taiyi was worshiped during this festival and he was the ruler of the heavens in ancient history. He had
The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the control of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pleasethe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn't create any natural calamities.
The New Year ceremony became very popular during Han dynasty as they got a great support from the ruler. However, later, king Wudi made this ceremony even more unique and prominent so much so that the celebrations were night long and huge.
The story behind the lantern ceremony however had a different explanation too that said the Taoists influenced these celebrations. The fortune of the Chinese people was in the hands of the Taoist lord Tianguan, apparently, and he seemed to have taste for Chinese entertainment. Hence, the Chinese took to satisfying him by, celebrating on the streets and performing various performances to keep him happy.
There was another edge to this old legend that said that the ceremony of lantern lighting was discovered by the ruler Mingdi. He was influenced by Buddhist preaching and also he had a dream that made him select the fifteenth day after the New Year date as the day of lantern lighting.
Regardless of which of the legends are genuine the fact remains that the lantern festival is a prominent part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Especially interesting are the decorative lanterns with different traditional Chinese motifs. - 33381
One of the vital sign of the Chinese New Year is the lantern. During the time of New Year, there is a festival celebrated known as the Chinese lantern festival. The Chinese people refer it to as Yuan Xiao festival. The word Yuan originates from the starting month in a lunar year and the second comes from the word that is referred to by the Chinese people as the night.
The lantern festival is celebrated fifteen days into the New Year on the sighting of the first full moon. The idea is to bring about a joyful environment as the full moon shines bright in the sky and the masses of Chinese people gather at the place of the festival holding up colorful lanterns creating a completely lit up environment.
Chinese lanterns are very intricately designed. These items are not mere lighting objects but often have engaging puzzles made on them that might completely mesmerize you. Also rice balls are shared and eaten during this lantern festival with families and friends to represent the merry-making festival.
The beginings of the lantern tradition
There are many Chinese traditions that are performed by the Chinese people and there are a lot of legendary stories behind the Lantern New Year festival. Apparently, the lord known as Taiyi was worshiped during this festival and he was the ruler of the heavens in ancient history. He had
The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the control of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pleasethe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn't create any natural calamities.
The New Year ceremony became very popular during Han dynasty as they got a great support from the ruler. However, later, king Wudi made this ceremony even more unique and prominent so much so that the celebrations were night long and huge.
The story behind the lantern ceremony however had a different explanation too that said the Taoists influenced these celebrations. The fortune of the Chinese people was in the hands of the Taoist lord Tianguan, apparently, and he seemed to have taste for Chinese entertainment. Hence, the Chinese took to satisfying him by, celebrating on the streets and performing various performances to keep him happy.
There was another edge to this old legend that said that the ceremony of lantern lighting was discovered by the ruler Mingdi. He was influenced by Buddhist preaching and also he had a dream that made him select the fifteenth day after the New Year date as the day of lantern lighting.
Regardless of which of the legends are genuine the fact remains that the lantern festival is a prominent part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Especially interesting are the decorative lanterns with different traditional Chinese motifs. - 33381
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Making a Chinese new years lantern can be a fun way of engaging kids in their heritage. For further info on various aspects of the celebrations, including Chinese New Years fireworks, please follow the links.
