Information About Chinese New Years Lanterns

Let us explore the origins of the lantern festival that is seen during celebrations in the Chinese New Year.

The lantern is one of the most significant symbols of the Chinese New Year. In fact there is an entire festival known as the Chinese lantern festival celebrated at the time of New Year. In local lingo the festival is known as Yuan Xiao. It gets its name from the first month of the year which is known as Yuan where as the second half of the name is what the ancient people used to refer to as night.

Fifteen days after entering the New Year, when the first full moon night is observed, the lantern festival is held that night. It is to celebrate the joyful atmosphere when the first full moon of the New Year is seen shining brightly. Chinese people get together at the festival site and together they hold their lanterns up trying to create a beautifully lit up surrounding.

Chinese lanterns are very intricately designed. These items are not mere lighting objects but often have interesting puzzles made on them that might completely mesmerize you. Also rice balls are shared and eaten during this lantern festival with families and friends to mark the merry-making festival.

The origins of the lantern tradition

The legend that is most well-known linked with the Lantern New Year event is that, God Taiyi who reigned over the heavens in the ancient era was worshipedby the people in this festival. This is one of the many mythologies associated with the traditional New Year lantern festival.

The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the power of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pleasethe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn’t create any natural calamities.

The New Year ceremony became very fashionable during Han dynasty as they got a great support from the ruler. However, later, king Wudi made this ceremony even more unique and prominent so much so that the celebrations were night long and huge.

The story behind the lantern ceremony however had a different explanation too that said the Taoists influenced these celebrations. The fortune of the Chinese people was in the hands of the Taoist lord Tianguan, apparently, and he seemed to have taste for Chinese entertainment. Hence, the Chinese took to pleasing him by, celebrating on the streets and performing various performances to keep him happy.

There is yet another tell tale about the origins of the lantern festival that give the credit of the discovery to Emperor Mingdi. Under this story the emperor was influenced by Buddhism and a dream that he had which eventually led him to select the 15th day of the Chinese New Year as a day of lighting lanterns.

There might have been various sides to the historical story behind the reason to celebrate the lantern festival but nonetheless this event is a significant celebration of the New Year season. The lanterns are specially decorated with traditional designs on them.

Chinese paper lanterns are enjoyable and not difficult to make. If you would like to read further on other Chinese new year traditions follow the hyperlinks.