About the FestivalThe Chinese the Lantern Festival is called

Yuánxiāojié It is called Yuánxiāojié because Yuan means

year and in ancient times, Xiao meant night

FoodsYuan Xiao is a food that Chinese people eat during the Lantern Festival. It is named after the holiday itself. Eating Yuan Xiao with family during the lantern festival is a very important tradition. It symbolizes unity and happiness within the family. Yuan Xiao is filled with meat or vegetable as stuffing inside.

Legends and StoriesMany great stories and legends are told about how the Chinese Lantern Festival began. One story says that in ancient times, people would go in search of spirits with burning sticks. They thought that the spirits could be seen during a full moon.

How people celebratethe festival

Make paper lanternsHang the lanternsPrepare special foods and eat them Solve puzzles on lanterns

OriginOrigin had something to do with religious

worshipMany legends about origin- different storiesOne is about Taiyi, the god of heaven in

ancient timesAnother associates the festival with TaoismThe third origin is about when Buddhism

first came into China

Time and DateThe Chinese Lantern Festival is on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The festival officially begins when the first full moon appears.

About the LanternThe lanterns used are a very important part of the Chinese Lantern Festival. Traditionally, the lanterns were made of silk, paper, and even glass. The most common is a typical red balloon lantern. But now, the lanterns come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Lanterns come in many different animal shapes, too.

The Chinese Lantern Festival has many traditions. One of them is playing games. Lantern riddles is one of the most traditional games played. Most lanterns hung at the festival have a lantern riddle inside. The lantern owners attach riddles for people who pass by to read and guess the answer. Usually, the subject of the riddles tend to be Chinese songs, poems, stories, or events. If the person thinks they know the answer, they take down the riddle and tell the owner the answer. Those who guess correctly, usually receive a small gift

Games

The Lantern Festival is also known as the Little New Year since it marks the end of the series of celebrations starting from the Chinese New Year. Some people also call it the Mid- Autumn Festival. They may be different names, but they all celebrate the fun, festive holiday.

Different names for the Lantern Festival