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Day 15 of the Chinese Lunar New Year
This day is known as the Chinese Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxian
Festival 元宵節. It is also the day that marks the end of the Chinese New Year
celebration.
Here are several traditional practices that are followed to this day.
Eat Tang Yuan 汤圆
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Tang Yuan 汤圆 is a sweet glutinous rice ball boiled in sweet syrup or soul. Its
pronunciation is similar to tuanyan 团圆 which means ‘reunion’ and ‘completeness. The round shape of the
balls and bowls symbolises wholeness and togetherness. It is also known as
YuanXiao 元宵.
Watch Lion and Dragon Dances
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Performances of the Lion and Dragon dances are said to bring good luck and
prosperity on this day.
Hanging Lanterns
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What is a lantern festival without lanterns?
Hang colourful lanterns in homes, streets and temples to symbolize hope for a
bright future and ward off evil spirits,
Solve Lantern Riddles
This tradition started in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). You can write riddles
on lanterns and have people to guess the answers.
Here is one
When you draw it, it’s round.
When you write it, it’s rectangular.
It’s short in winter.
It’s long in summer.
The answer is sun — 日 in Chinese.
Which traditions would you follow today?
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