Why is the Lantern Festival also called the Lantern Festival?
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals, held every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. On this day, people will enjoy lanterns, eat Lantern Festival, and guess lantern riddles, which is very lively. So, why is the Lantern Festival also called the Lantern Festival? This article will give you a detailed analysis based on historical origins, folk traditions and modern hot topics.
1. Historical origins
The Lantern Festival originated in the Han Dynasty and has a history of more than 2,000 years. According to historical records, during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was designated as the day to worship the "Taiyi God". At night, lights and colors were decorated inside and outside the palace to celebrate. In the Tang Dynasty, the custom of appreciating lanterns during the Lantern Festival gradually became popular and spread among the people, becoming a festival for all people to participate in.
The following are important nodes in the historical development of the Lantern Festival:
dynasty | development |
---|---|
Han Dynasty | The fifteenth day of the first lunar month was designated as the day to worship "Taiyi God", and the palace began to decorate with lanterns and decorations. |
Tang Dynasty | The custom of appreciating lanterns during the Lantern Festival became popular, and people began to participate. |
Song Dynasty | The scale of the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival has expanded, and lantern riddle guessing activities have appeared. |
Ming and Qing Dynasties | The Lantern Festival has become a national festival, and the lantern festival has become more diverse. |
2. Folk traditions
The Lantern Festival is called the "Festival of Lanterns" mainly because viewing lanterns is the core activity of this festival. The following are the main folk activities of the Lantern Festival:
Activity | describe |
---|---|
Flower viewing lantern | Lantern festivals are held in various places to display lanterns of various shapes, such as dragon lanterns, palace lanterns, zodiac lanterns, etc. |
Guess lantern riddles | Write riddles on the lanterns for people to guess and solve, adding to the fun of the festival. |
eat yuanxiao | Yuanxiao (tangyuan) symbolizes reunion and is a traditional food during the Lantern Festival. |
dragon dance and lion dance | Folk art performances add to the festive atmosphere. |
3. Modern hot topics
With the development of the times, the celebration methods of the Lantern Festival are also constantly innovating. The following are the hot topics about the Lantern Festival on the Internet in the past 10 days:
topic | heat index | Main content |
---|---|---|
"Yuan Universe Lantern Festival" | ★★★★★ | Online virtual lantern festivals have been launched in many places, combining AR/VR technology to attract young people to participate. |
"Intangible Cultural Heritage Lantern" | ★★★★☆ | The traditional lantern making technique has become an intangible cultural heritage item, triggering discussions on cultural protection. |
“Lantern Festival Travel” | ★★★★☆ | Lantern festivals in various places have become tourist hotspots, driving the recovery of the tourism market after the Spring Festival. |
"Eco-friendly Lantern" | ★★★☆☆ | Advocate the use of recyclable materials to make lanterns to reduce holiday environmental pollution. |
4. The cultural significance of the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is not only a festival for lantern viewing, but also an important carrier of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation. It reflects people's yearning for a better life and their cherishment of family reunion. Through activities such as appreciating lanterns, guessing riddles, and eating Yuanxiao, people convey their blessings and enhance their emotions.
In addition, the Lantern Festival also contains rich philosophical thoughts. For example, the brightness of lanterns symbolizes dispelling darkness and welcoming light; the round shape of the Lantern Festival represents perfection and harmony. These elements together constitute the unique cultural connotation of the Lantern Festival.
5. Conclusion
The Lantern Festival is called the "Festival of Lanterns" precisely because viewing lanterns is the core custom of this festival. From the sacrificial activities of the ancient palace to the modern lantern festival with the participation of all people, the Lantern Festival carries the long history and profound culture of the Chinese nation. Whether it is traditional lantern making or the modern "Yuan Universe Lantern Festival", the Lantern Festival has always been a link between the past and the future.
On this festive day, let us light up the lanterns together and pray for peace, success, and happiness in the new year!
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