Written by: Staff Report
Posted on: February 07, 2020 | 
| 中文
Festive Lanterns in Jinjiang, Fujian Province (photo credits to china.org.cn)
The Chinese Lantern Festival or Yuánxiāo Jié is celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar calendar (8th February 2020), marking the end of the New Year/Spring festival celebrations. The festival winds up the Chinese New Year celebrations, both of which take place the world over. While there are no public holidays to commemorate this day, the Lantern Festival is still celebrated with much enthusiasm and excitement, as it represents reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness. Some of the best places to witness this celebration are the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing, the Shanghai Yuyuan Lantern Festival and the Guangzhou Yuexiu Lantern Park Fair.
This festival dates back 2000 years, first appearing in records from the Han Dynasty (206-221 BC). Emperor Wu announced a holiday to mark the return to peace after a turbulent time in his reign. He ordered everyone in the kingdom to light candles and lanterns in their houses, and to celebrate the day. Later, this night was merged with Emperor Ming’s decision to promote Buddhism in China, as Buddhist monks light lanterns for Buddha on the 15th night of the year.
Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing (photo credits to Nanjing Travel)
But the history of the festival includes many popular myths and folklore, from the bittersweet reunion of a chambermaid with her family, to a village creating the illusion of a dragon to save themselves from the wrath of a vengeful king.
Specific customs and celebrations that come with the Festival. The Chinese traditionally eat yuánxiāo or gluttonous rice balls filled with syrup or paste. Also, there are lion and dragon dances in which people dress under large animal costumes, and amuse the crowd through their movements and gestures. But the dance itself is also seen as a prayer for a happy and auspicious life, as the lion represents boldness and strength while the dragon represents wisdom and power.
A Lion Dance in the Shandong Province in 2019 (photo credits to chinaculture.org)
However, the most anticipated part of the festival is watching the oceans of lanterns illuminate vast, open spaces. Houses, shopping malls, parks and streets are covered with lanterns of all shapes and sizes, and children often run around with their homemade lanterns. As the evening slowly transitions into night, the lanterns and the fireworks create an aura of celebration and radiance that is indescribable. The breathtaking and deeply romantic view of the floating lanterns and the first full moon of the year is a popular place for lovers to meet, which is why this day is called Chinese Valentine’s Day.
The Chinese Lantern is a unique and unmistakable Chinese icon, along with its hanging gold tassels. Lanterns are made of wood or bamboo frames, with silk or paper sheets. They commonly come in three types: hanging lanterns, flying lanterns, and floating lanterns. Many Chinese lanterns have flowers, birds, calligraphy, animals or people on them.
People Throwing Floating Lanterns in the Air (photo credits to chinesenewyear.net)
Lanterns are often used to commemorate important milestones, such as a marriage or the birth of a child. They represent warmth, happiness and good fortune, a small but powerful light in dark times. During the Festival, some lanterns often have riddles for people of all ages to solve and win prizes, but they require cunning and innovative thinking. Many of these refer to distinctly Chinese characters, idioms, historical figures or names of cities.
Typical Chinese Lanterns (photo credits to rebeljenn on instagram)
The Chinese Lantern Festival is an opportunity to enjoy color, light and each other’s company. It reflects an age-old tradition that is both fun and deeply tied to Chinese beliefs and identity. Such a sight is beautiful to behold and exciting to participate in. No doubt, the people of Pakistan would enjoy a Lantern Festival in the near future if celebrated in one of the major cities.
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