Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar — the day of the first full moon of Chinese New Year. This joyous and reunion-filled occasion also marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.

Customs of Lantern Festival

1. Eating 'yuanxiao'

A hallmark of Lantern Festival is eating yuanxiao, also known as tangyuan. These glutinous rice balls can have sweet fillings like sesame or red bean paste, or savory ones like minced meat. The round shape of yuanxiao symbolizes unity and harmony, representing familial happiness and reunion.

2. Viewing lantern displays

A staple activity of Lantern Festival is viewing lantern displays. A variety of colorful lanterns are hung, featuring designs from traditional dragons and lions to modern cartoon characters. The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival in Shanghai is particularly renowned, drawing numerous visitors annually.

3. Solving riddles

Riddles are written on slips of paper and attached to lanterns for people to solve. These riddles cover a wide array of topics, including characters, idioms, and historical references. Those who can successfully solve them are often rewarded with small prizes, making this activity widely popular.

4. Dragon and lion dances

Dragon and lion dances are always performed during Lantern Festival. Troupes perform to the beat of drums and gongs to highlight traditional Chinese dance and express wishes for good fortune and happiness in the New Year.

Vocabulary:

元宵节

yuán xiāo jié

Lantern Festival

满月

mǎn yuè

full moon

汤圆

tāng yuán

glutinous rice balls

团圆

tuán yuán

reunion

灯笼

dēng long

lantern

猜灯谜是元宵节的一项传统娱乐活动。

cāi dēng mí shì yuán xiāo jié de yí xiàng chuán tǒng yú lè huó dòng

Solving riddles is a traditional activity during Lantern Festival.

舞龙舞狮是中国传统的舞蹈艺术。

wǔ lóng wǔ shī shì zhōng guó chuán tǒng de wǔ dǎo yì shù

Dragon and lion dances are traditional Chinese performing arts.