2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
China is an amazing and mysterious country for a European resident. There is a special atmosphere and culture here, which has more than one millennium. The peculiarity of its inhabitants is that they managed to preserve many of their traditions. And the Lantern Festival in China is one of those.
History of Appearance
Inhabitants of the Celestial Empire call him Yuanxiaojie and he appeared 180 BC. The name of the Lantern Festival in China is translated as follows: "yuan" - "first, initial", "xiao" - "night", and "jie" - "holiday". The celebration is held according to the lunar calendar: the 15th day of the first month is the first night of the year when the full moon occurs. Therefore, this event has such a name.
The Chinese believe that it is from this day that spring comes. According to historical data, Buddhism became especially popular in China during the Han era. When the emperor learned that the monks have a tradition of meditating on the relics of the Buddha and lighting lanterns as a sign of respect and respect, he ordered the lanterns to be lit on the same day inhis palace and temples.
Ordinary people also liked the Lantern Festival in China. And in 104 BC. he received state status. And in the 7th century AD. the emperor issued a new decree that allowed residents to hold festivities all night. And in some provinces of the Celestial Empire, the tradition of arranging bright beautiful lantern shows is still preserved. And it's just amazing.
The date of the Lantern Festival - the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar - is February-March, but the date changes every year. On this day, it is customary to gather for a family dinner and launch fireworks together. The main color of the holiday is red, because among the people of China it is considered the color of success and prosperity. But not only this color is popular, because only on this day people can admire the beauty of lanterns throughout the country.
Legend of the origin of the holiday
There are other legends about how this holiday appeared. Here is one of the most famous: a long time ago, a man accidentally killed the sacred bird of the Heavenly Emperor. Then the angry ruler ordered the general to burn all the people.
But one of his daughters, with the kindest heart, hastened to warn the poor people. One wise man suggested that each family light a red lantern to outsmart the cruel general. And people managed to do it.
The general was just about to carry out the imperial order, when he saw that many red lights were burning. He was surprised and delighted that he managed to do everything very quickly, and reported on the successfully completed task.emperor. And the people remained safe and sound.
What kind of lanterns are made
At this event you can see them in all their diversity and splendor. The Lantern Festival in China is one of the main events for the inhabitants of China. After all, it is one of the largest and brightest events in the country. Several thousand lanterns are made especially for its celebration, most of which are works of art.
At the festival, you can also see frameless products, which look like they are made of frosted glass. You can pour water into them and they will rotate. There are also lanterns decorated with beautiful carvings or threads with beads strung on them. They can be made in the form of animals, both existing and mythological.
At the festival you will definitely see lanterns that have been made since ancient times. These are paper products decorated with paintings on mythological themes or national patterns. They rotate due to the influence of air on them. And this happens because of the candle burning inside him.
How the celebration goes
The Lantern Festival in China is very big and bright. Another main part of the event is solving riddles. They are attached to lanterns. This custom dates back to the Song Dynasty. And it's popular because it's not just riddles, it contains folk wisdom.
Every person who has a flashlight attachesto its bottom a piece of paper in which a riddle is written. Everyone who wants to guess it, reads it and says his answer. If he is correct, he receives a small gift.
The main symbol of the Chinese Lantern Festival is the tiger, because with the onset of spring the sun passes into the constellation "White Tiger". They also decorate houses with daffodils: this flower became a symbol of spring long ago, during the reign of the Song Dynasty.
During the celebration, people go to visit each other and arrange lavish feasts. The obligatory dish is steamed rice cakes in the form of balls stuffed with jam or marmalade. They are associated with the full moon.
According to Chinese belief, a family that eats this dish together will be strong and happy. And, of course, one of the distinguishing features of this holiday is a large number of sounds made by various musical instruments. Residents also dance on city streets. Dragons made from lanterns take part in the procession.
Traditional dishes
The Lantern Festival has another name - Yuanxiao. This is the name of the obligatory dish for this event. These rice balls can not only be steamed, but also boiled and fried. The filling can be anything - sweet ingredients or nuts. You can also use very unusual ingredients, such as rose petals, soy paste or jojoba paste. Some make s alty stuffing for balloons.
You can use only one product or mix several ingredients. Such a namethe sweet rice balls were given because the dish is eaten at night ("xiao") when the full moon ("yuan") appears.
How is the holiday in Chinese cities
China is known for its diversity: each province has original traditions, holidays are celebrated in a special way everywhere. For example, in the city of Harbin, which is located in the northern part of the country, an exhibition of lanterns made of ice is being held. It's just a great sight. Craftsmen carve various shapes from ice blocks that sparkle fabulously because of the lamps inserted into them.
And in the province of Guangdong, in the city of Foshan, they make painted lanterns: all the drawings are laid out from sesame seeds. Therefore, people also call them "edible lanterns".
Reviews of tourists
You can see photos of the Lantern Festival in China. Most tourists dream of visiting this country to see such a bright and large-scale event. Those who attended this holiday note the high level of Chinese craftsmen who manage to create a work of art even from a paper lantern.
Also, guests are surprised at how many people honor this holiday. And they admire not only the organization of the event, but also the fact that all residents observe the traditions of its celebration. The Yuanxiaojie Lantern Festival in China is one of the brightest. Having visited it, you can get to know the traditions and culture of this country better.
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