Lantern Festival, one of the key traditional Chinese festivals, is on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar. People celebrate the festival by watching lanterns, guess riddles and eating dumplings. It is also called “Yuan Xiao” in Chinese, meaning for the first full moon night in the New Year.

Reunion day & happy life

Traditionally, families reunite and have dumpling on this day. Dumpling is a kind of glutinous rice balls stuffed with sesame or red bean paste and the round shape and sweet flavor signify reunion and happy life in Chinese, which stand for the good wish of family members for the coming day.

Creative & colorful View

The lantern is playing the leading role in Lantern Festival. Varieties of lanterns are displayed in the streets, especially in the downtown area and the Temple of City God (Cheng Huang Temple). Because 2009 is the year of Ox; the lanterns in the shape of ox are the most popular. Interestingly, some will decorate their lantern with a riddle and award a prize to the first person who solves it.

What’s from?

With a history of more than 2000 years, Lantern Festival was originated in the Ming Emperor of East Han Dynasty. The Emperor advocated Buddha and he heard that the monks express esteem to Buddha by lighting on the 15th day in the lunar month, so he ordered to light in the Imperial Palace and temples on the day and the same with the common people at home. Afterward, the custom was gradually developed to a grand holiday.

What’s on?

Lantern Fair at Yu Garden 2009
Time: From Feb 8, 2009
Address: Yu Garden