The lantern festival, also known as the Shui lantern festival, is an ancient Chinese tradition celebrated on the fifteenth night of the fourth lunar month, also known as the moonlight festival. In Chinese, the word for the festival is hanging, which roughly means "the last night of the new year". Typically falling in mid-February or early March in the Chinese lunar calendar, it commemorates the end of the traditional Chinese New Year festivities. The festival is one of the most significant religious events in China and also highlights the return back to the cycle of life and death. This ancient Chinese festival, held at the end of the New Year and the beginning of the fasting season, are one of the major social occasions in China where people pay homage to the ancient principles of nature and to renew their vows to follow the Buddha's teachings.
The lantern festival is one of the key points of renewal for Chinese traditional calendar and the Chinese people. The Chinese believe that the spirits of ancestors have left their mark on this earth and they continue to dwell here to help in the next new year. A wide variety of lanterns are used on this day - traditionally eight large lanterns, which are lit to frighten away evil spirits and bring in good fortune for the new year. Another way in which lanterns are used on this festival is by decorating each lantern with wishes for the various wishes that one wishes to make for the coming year.
In addition to the lanterns, a wide variety of items are also sold as part of this traditional Chinese holiday. Candles are a very important part of this lantern festival and are sold everywhere - both in big shops in major cities and even in smaller shops and markets in the southern parts of China. Many candles are made in the shape of lanterns. In addition to the candles, garlands made of joss sticks are also sold to celebrate this festival.
lantern Festival - A Legend of Chinese Illumination
The 15th day of the New Year, also known as the lantern festival is also a time when farmers get together to bid farewell to the old and welcome in the new. It is during this period when they distribute gifts to relatives and friends as a sign that they hope to take part in the new year in good health and prosperity. This festival is based on the ancient lunar calendar and is not related to any religious or political calendars. On this day, people commemorate the ancient days of their dynasty and get ready for the next era. Chinese traditional calendar is divided into 4 parts: the Chinese lunar calendar, the semi lunar calendar, the lunatic and the annual calendars.
The lantern festival is celebrated in many different ways across China. The actual festival celebration varies from place to place. In some places, it is celebrated with big colorful banners and by giving out lanterns. In other places, the festival celebrations are made colorful and happy with quotes and verses taken out from the book of "Seasons and Fates" or with poems carved in joss sticks.
On this day, Chinese people light many small lanterns in their homes and hang them on their fences or along the roads as a symbol of light and prosperity. Chinese believe that hanging lanterns will help them see into the future. They believe that each lantern will carry one bag of good fortune and one bad luck. If you look at a lantern everyday, you will see a different result. That's why this Chinese celebration is called the "Lan Cong" or "Good Fortune Festival".
The 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar is also known as the lunar new year. This day is also celebrated with great fondness and happiness in many parts of China. In many areas, the lantern festival would start early in the morning and continue until late in the night. Chinese people would light many lanterns and hang them on their fences, doors, fences and gates to express joy and wish everyone a happy new year.
Another legend says that during the reign of the emperor Kangxi (also known as Kuchera) there was a war between the emperor and the court. Kuchera wanted to celebrate his victory over the enemy but the warlordriers did not allow him. So he turned back home and started to light the lanterns for the army but as he went home the warlordriers suddenly attacked and killed him. Nowadays on this day Chinese celebrate the birth of their national hero, who was born on this day.
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