Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival
As the first full moon of the Lunar New Year rises, China's Lantern Festival ushers in a night of luminous celebration, blending ancient customs with familial warmth. Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, this 2,000-year-old tradition symbolizes reunion, hope, and the joyful conclusion to Spring Festival festivities.
At its heart, the festival honors light conquering darkness. Streets and temples glow with intricate lanterns—crafted in shapes of dragons, flowers, and mythical figures—each representing blessings for prosperity. A highlight remains the solving of dēng mí (lantern riddles), where families gather to decode poetic clues tied to lanterns, testing wit and cultural knowledge.
No celebration is complete without tangyuan, sticky rice balls filled with sweet sesame or red bean paste. Their round shape embodies unity, while the act of sharing them reinforces family bonds.
