Celebrating Lantern Festival 2024: Origin/Customs/Taboos

Origin of Lantern Festival
Customs of Lantern Festival
Taboos of Lantern Festival

Origin of Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, with its rich tapestry of history, has various origin stories, the most popular tracing back to the Han Dynasty. One legend tells of Emperor Hui, under the sway of Empress Lv. Following her demise, a clandestine rebellion brewed among her kin. It was Liu Xiang who quelled the “rebellion of the Lü clan” on the first lunar month’s fifteenth day, safeguarding Emperor Hui’s rule. To celebrate the hard-earned peace, Emperor Wen would mingle incognito with the populace on this night annually, as households brightened the streets with lanterns and decorations. This practice blossomed into the Lantern Festival we know today.

Another narrative from the Han Dynasty revolves around Emperor Wu, who was gravely ill for an extended period. In his quest for healing, he turned to Taiyi God and experienced a miraculous recovery. Grateful, Emperor Wu dedicated shrines to Taiyi God and initiated lamp-lighting rituals every fifteenth day of the lunar month. This custom, too, evolved into the Lantern Festival, marking a night of light, joy, and community.

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Customs of Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is a festival full of passion and enthusiasm. People will hold various celebration activities, such as eating tangyuan, watching lantern displays, and performing lion dances to celebrate this festival.

Enjoying lanterns

Every Lantern Festival, lantern fairs are held in various places. People enjoy various types of lanterns and also participate in lantern games such as guessing the shape of the lanterns and appreciating flower lanterns.

Guessing lantern riddles

During the Lantern Festival, a dazzling array of lanterns and coloured lights adorn the night sky. An intriguing tradition involves writing brain teasers on paper and suspending them from the rooftops with slender threads. This practice, known as “guessing riddles,” is not just entertaining but also symbolizes the sparking of wisdom, perfectly complementing the festive mood. Today, this engaging activity of riddle-solving has become an essential and beloved part of the Lantern Festival’s celebrations.

Let’s give it a go:

1. Two sisters, equal in height, always journey side by side,
   Embracing flavours of sour, sweet, bitter, and spice in stride.
2. Longed for when absent, a desire to seize,
   Yet once in grasp, the urge is to release.

Discover the answer at this post’s close!

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Eat tangyuan

Tangyuan, a tradition Chinese dessert savoured during the Lantern Festival, embodies the themes of reunion and family togetherness. This delightful treat is not just a culinary delight but also a symbol of unity and warmth, reflecting the essence of the festival’s spirit

Family reunion

The Lantern Festival is an important moment for family reunion and prayer. People will return to their hometowns to reunite with their families.

What to eat on Lantern Festival? Tangyuan!

The custom of eating tangyuan during the Lantern Festival is steeped in ancient tradition and rich history. This practice is believed to have originated from the round shape of tangyuan, symbolizing reunion and the gathering of families. Made from glutinous rice and crafted into spherical balls, tangyuan embodies family harmony and togetherness. Consuming these sweet treats is more than a culinary delight; it’s a ritual of praying for happiness and peace. This significant act during the Lantern Festival is a moment for families to unite in tranquility, sharing hopes for joy and serenity. Therefore, the tradition of eating tangyuan carries deep cultural and historical meanings, representing not only family reunions but also aspirations for a harmonious and peaceful life.

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Taboos in Lantern Festival

There are not many taboos for the Lantern Festival, but in some areas, there is a taboo of “not moving house” because it is believed that doing so will bring misfortune to the family. In addition, it is also not advisable to wash clothes during the lantern festival period because it is believed that doing so will wash away good luck. There are several traditional taboos that need to be avoided.

1. Do not wash or cut hair because “hair” (fa) sounds similar to “wealth” (fa) in Chinese, cutting or washing hair will cause wealth loss and affect financial fortune.
2. The rice jar at home should not be emptied as this symbolises food shortage in ancient times and now affects money luck.
3. Avoid using vulgar language as troubles come from the mouth.
4. Avoid wearing white or black clothes because the Lantern Festival is a festive occasion while white and black are colours worn during mourning which can affect smooth proceedings.
5. Do not borrow money as opportunities may go away with borrowed money.
6. Clothes should not be damaged or torn as it may attract misfortune.

Answer of Riddle:

• Riddle 1 : Chopsticks
• Riddle 2 : Basketball

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