Discover the historical origins of the lantern festival that is celebrated during the Chinese New Year.
One of the vital symbol 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 comes from the first 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 cheerful atmosphere 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.
There are many complexities associated with Chinese lanterns. These are no mediocre lanterns rather they can be an extremely engaging item once you begin to indulge in the puzzles that are often featured on the lanterns. The eating of glutinous rice balls also goes along with the lantern celebrations which are shared amongst friends and families.
The origins of the lantern tradition
The legend that is most popular linked with the Lantern New Year event is that, God Taiyi who reigned over the heavens in the ancient era was prayedby the people in this festival. This is one of the many mythologies associated with the traditional New Year lantern festival.
Being the god of heaven it was believed that he controlled the entire luck of the human world. The authority to impose punishment through natural disasters or medical epidemics was attributed to this god. The emperor who first started the tradition of holding a ceremony to please Taiyi was Qinshihuang. There ceremonies were held in order to gain the good pleasure of Taiyi and avoid the risk of natural disasters.
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 special and prominent so much so that the celebrations were night long and huge.
However, the Taoists had something else to add to this legend and they believed that the tradition became popular under their influence. Apparently, the Taoist deity Tianguan had the responsibility of good fortune of the Chinese people and had a strong attraction towards Chinese entertainment. In order to please him, they indulged in merry-making and celebrating on the streets and performing.
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.
There might have been various sides to the historical story behind the reason to celebrate the lantern festival but nonetheless this event is a significant celebration of the New Year season. The lanterns are specially adorned with traditional designs on them.
One of the vital symbol 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 comes from the first 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 cheerful atmosphere 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.
There are many complexities associated with Chinese lanterns. These are no mediocre lanterns rather they can be an extremely engaging item once you begin to indulge in the puzzles that are often featured on the lanterns. The eating of glutinous rice balls also goes along with the lantern celebrations which are shared amongst friends and families.
The origins of the lantern tradition
The legend that is most popular linked with the Lantern New Year event is that, God Taiyi who reigned over the heavens in the ancient era was prayedby the people in this festival. This is one of the many mythologies associated with the traditional New Year lantern festival.
Being the god of heaven it was believed that he controlled the entire luck of the human world. The authority to impose punishment through natural disasters or medical epidemics was attributed to this god. The emperor who first started the tradition of holding a ceremony to please Taiyi was Qinshihuang. There ceremonies were held in order to gain the good pleasure of Taiyi and avoid the risk of natural disasters.
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 special and prominent so much so that the celebrations were night long and huge.
However, the Taoists had something else to add to this legend and they believed that the tradition became popular under their influence. Apparently, the Taoist deity Tianguan had the responsibility of good fortune of the Chinese people and had a strong attraction towards Chinese entertainment. In order to please him, they indulged in merry-making and celebrating on the streets and performing.
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.
There might have been various sides to the historical story behind the reason to celebrate the lantern festival but nonetheless this event is a significant celebration of the New Year season. The lanterns are specially adorned with traditional designs on them.
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