The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities and is a time for families and friends to come together, celebrate, and release lanterns into the night sky.

Here are some of the key traditions and activities associated with the Lantern Festival:

• Displaying lanterns: Houses and streets are decorated with colourful lanterns of all shapes and sizes, often depicting animals, mythical creatures, or scenes from Chinese folklore.

Lantern riddles: Children participate in the fun tradition of solving riddles written on lanterns. If they guess the riddle correctly, they win a small prize.

Lion and dragon dances: These lively performances are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

Fireworks displays: Spectacular fireworks displays light up the night sky, symbolising the release of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune.

Eating tangyuan: These sweet rice balls, filled with sesame paste or other sweet fillings, symbolise family unity and completeness.

The Lantern Festival is a beautiful and joyous occasion that is celebrated not only in China, but also in many other countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Vietnam, Korea, and Singapore.