Hello everyone,
If you think Chinese New Year is over once people go back to work, you’d be mistaken! In Chinese tradition, the celebrations officially last for 15 days, and they culminate (reach a peak) today with a beautiful and romantic festival—The Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo Jié) .
Today, I want to share with you what this day is all about, because it’s not just about looking at lanterns; it’s about reunion, hope, and sweetness.
Why is it called the Lantern Festival?
As the name suggests, lanterns are the soul of this day. On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the first full moon night of the new year, people pour into the streets carrying glowing lanterns.
Long ago, these lanterns were a way to pray for good fortune and to light the way for a prosperous year ahead. Today, cities hold massive lantern fairs where you can see giant, intricate lantern displays shaped like dragons, phoenixes, zodiac animals, and scenes from Chinese mythology. It’s truly a feast for the eyes.
The Sweet Treat: Yuanxiao (or Tangyuan)
You can’t talk about the Lantern Festival without talking about the food. We eat a special dessert called Yuanxiao in the north or Tangyuan in the south.
These are sweet glutinous rice balls, usually filled with black sesame, peanut paste, or red bean. They are boiled and served in warm, sweet soup.
Why do we eat them? The name “Tangyuan” sounds like the Chinese word for “reunion” (团圆, Tuányuán). The round shape of the balls symbolizes wholeness and togetherness. Eating them with family is a wish that the family remains complete and harmonious in the coming year.
A Chinese “Valentine’s Day”?
Here’s a fun fact: In ancient China, young women were not usually allowed to go out freely. However, during the Lantern Festival, they could go out to enjoy the lanterns. This made the festival one of the few opportunities for young men and women to meet.
Poets wrote beautiful lines about finding love under the moonlight on this night. So, while we have a separate “Double Seventh Festival,” the Lantern Festival is also considered by many to be the true Chinese Valentine’s Day.
The Lantern Riddles (猜灯谜, Cāi Dēngmí)
While walking under the lanterns, you’ll often see pieces of paper attached to them with riddles written on them. This is a traditional game called “Guessing Lantern Riddles.”
If you guess the riddle correctly, you can win a small prize! It adds an element of fun and intelligence to the evening stroll. It’s a game that everyone—young and old—can enjoy together.
A Wish for You
For the Chinese, today is the last day of the New Year celebration. After tonight, the New Year is truly over, and we carry the joy and hope of the lanterns into our work and daily lives.
I hope this little introduction helps you understand a bit more about our culture. Whether you are with family or friends tonight, I wish you the same warmth that we feel when eating a bowl of Tangyuan.
Happy Lantern Festival to you all! 元宵节快乐！
Have you ever tried Tangyuan before? What flavor would you like to try?
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