What is the Lantern Festival?

The Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo Jié), also known as the Shangyuan Festival or the Lantern Festival, is one of the most romantic and lively traditional Chinese celebrations. Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, it marks the official end of the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) celebrations.

Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about the Lantern Festival:

1. What does “Yuanxiao” mean?

• “Yuan” (元): Refers to the first month of the lunar calendar.

• “Xiao” (宵): Means “night” in ancient Chinese.

• Since the 15th is the first night of the lunar year to see a full moon, it is called “Yuanxiao.”

2. The Food: Yuanxiao vs. Tangyuan

Eating round glutinous rice balls is the core tradition. They represent reunion and togetherness (团团圆圆, tuántuán yuányuán) due to their shape.

• North China (Yuanxiao): These are “rolled.” Small cubes of filling are tossed in a basket with dry glutinous rice flour until they are coated and round.

• South China (Tangyuan): These are “wrapped.” The dough is made first, and the filling is tucked inside, much like making a dumpling.

3. Key Activities: What to do?

• Appreciating Lanterns: Streets and parks are decorated with lanterns of all shapes and sizes—from traditional paper globes to modern high-tech installations and zodiac-themed lights.

• Solving Lantern Riddles: Riddles are written on slips of paper and attached to lanterns. It is a fun intellectual game where correct answers often earn small prizes.

• Dragon and Lion Dances: Performance troupes parade through the streets to pray for good harvest and peace.

• Releasing Sky Lanterns: In some regions (like Pingxi in Taiwan), people release glowing paper lanterns into the sky after writing their wishes on them.

4. Romance: The “Valentine’s Day” of Ancient China

In ancient times, young women were often restricted from leaving their homes. However, on the night of the Lantern Festival, the curfew was lifted, allowing everyone to mingle and enjoy the lights. This provided a rare opportunity for young people to meet and fall in love.

• Famous poets have long depicted this scene, such as Xin Qiji’s lines: “I searched for her thousands of times in the crowd; suddenly I turned my head, and there she was, where the lantern lights were dimming.”

5. Cultural Significance

While the Lunar New Year’s Eve is focused on family reunions, the Lantern Festival is a social celebration. It is the climax of the New Year festivities, where everyone comes together to celebrate before returning to their daily work for the rest of the year.