Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival
元宵節
元宵节
Lantern Festival celebrated in Tainan at night
Official nameYuánxiāo jié (元宵節) / Shàngyuán jié
Observed byChinese
TypeCultural, Religious
SignificanceMarks the end of the Chinese New Year
ObservancesFlying of paper lanterns;
Consumption of tangyuan
Date15th day of the 1st lunisolar month
2023 date5 February
2024 date24 February
2025 date12 February
Related toChotrul Duchen (in Tibet)
Daeboreum (in Korea)
Koshōgatsu (in Japan)
Magha Puja (in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos)
Tết Nguyên Tiêu (in Vietnam)
Lantern Festival
Traditional Chinese元宵節
Simplified Chinese元宵节
Literal meaning"Prime Night Festival"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYuánxiāo jié
Gwoyeu RomatzyhYuanshiau jye
Wade–GilesYüan2-hsiao1 chieh2
IPA[ɥɛ̌n.ɕjáʊ tɕjě]
Wu
RomanizationNyioe siau tsih
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationYùhn-sīu jit
Jyutpingjyun4 siu1 zit3
IPA[jyn˩ siw˥ tsit̚˧]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJGoân-siau-chiat
Tâi-lôGuân-siau-tsiat
Eastern Min
Fuzhou BUCNguòng-siĕu-cáik
Hokkien Name
Traditional Chinese十五暝 / 上元
Literal meaning"15th Night" / "Top Primary"
Transcriptions
Southern Min
Hokkien POJCha̍p-gō͘-mê / Siōng-goân
Tâi-lôTsa̍p-gōo-mê / Siōng-guân
Second alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese上元節
Simplified Chinese上元节
Literal meaningfirst great [Emperor-Officials] festival
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinShàngyuánjié
Statues of mother and daughter celebrating the Lantern Festival. Xi'an

The Lantern Festival (traditional Chinese: 元宵節; simplified Chinese: 元宵节; pinyin: Yuánxiāo jié), also called Shangyuan Festival (traditional Chinese: 上元節; simplified Chinese: 上元节; pinyin: Shàngyuán jié) and Cap Go Meh (Chinese: 十五暝; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Cha̍p-gō͘-mê), is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.[1] As early as the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.[2]

During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns (traditional Chinese: 猜燈謎; simplified Chinese: 猜灯谜; pinyin: cāidēngmí).[3][4] In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate lanterns.[5] In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs.[4] For example, lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones,[6] which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.[7]

The festival acts as an Uposatha day on the Chinese calendar.[8][9] It should not be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival; which is sometimes also known as the "Lantern Festival" in locations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.[2][10] Lantern Festivals have also become popular in Western countries, such as the Water Lantern Festival held in multiple locations in the United States.[11]

  1. ^ Melton, J. Gordon (2011). "Lantern Festival (China)". In Melton, J. Gordon (ed.). Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. pp. 514–515. ISBN 978-1-5988-4206-7. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Traditional Chinese Festivals: Lantern Festival". Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  3. ^ World Religions at Your Fingertips. Penguin Group. 2009. ISBN 9781592578467.
  4. ^ a b Wei, Liming (2011). Chinese Festivals. Cambridge University Press. pp. 25–28. ISBN 978-0-52118-659-9. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  5. ^ "Lantern Festival". Birmingham Chinese Festival Association. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  6. ^ "China HHS". hhscenter.com. HHS News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Red Lanterns of Prosperity". BBC News. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  8. ^ Davis, Edward L. (2009). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture. Taylor & Francis. p. 68. ISBN 9780415777162.
  9. ^ Artley, Malvin (2014). The Full Moons: Topical Letters In Esoteric Astrology. eBookIt.com. ISBN 9781456622275.
  10. ^ "China Lantern Festival: Customs, Activities, Glutinous Rice Balls". Travelchinaguide.com. 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  11. ^ Festival, Water Lantern. "Water Lantern Festival – Tickets on Sale!". Water Lantern Festival.