What Week is the Lantern Festival? Find out in a flash!
The festive spirit of the New Year is still in the air, and now the Lantern Festival is here to fill our hearts with even more joy!
But do you know which week it falls in the year? Today, let’s talk about what week the Lantern Festival is in.
Introduction to the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, Little New Year, Yuanxiao Festival, or the Festival of Lanterns, is one of China’s traditional holidays.
It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This marks the first full moon night of the lunar New Year, signaling the end of the Spring Festival celebrations, and it is the first major festival following the New Year.
Which Week is the Lantern Festival in 2025?
In 2025, the Lantern Festival falls in the second week of February, specifically on Wednesday, February 12th, which is the 15th day of the first lunar month.
This week holds significant meaning for the Chinese people. Preparations begin early, including making lanterns and preparing traditional foods like yuanxiao (sweet rice dumplings). Various community activities are also organized to celebrate this festival.
Origins and Legends of the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival's history dates back more than 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. According to legend, the festival’s origin is linked to Buddhism.
During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he ordered that lamps be lit to honor Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This practice gradually became a grand celebration in both palaces and temples, and eventually spread to the public.
In addition, the Lantern Festival is related to Taoism’s “Shangyuan Festival.” Taoists believe that the 15th day of the first lunar month is a day when the Heavenly Officials grant blessings. People use this day to pray for peace and happiness.
The Significance of the Lantern Festival
1.Unity and Harmony: The Lantern Festival symbolizes family reunion and harmony. Eating yuanxiao (sweet rice dumplings) represents unity and happiness.
2.Celebrating the Arrival of Spring: The Lantern Festival coincides with the transition from winter to spring, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the hope and vitality of the new year.
3.Driving Away Evil and Praying for Blessings: Activities like lantern viewing and riddle guessing are believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and happiness.
4.Socializing and Entertainment: The Lantern Festival is a celebration that everyone can take part in, enhancing social interactions and connections between people.
Celebration Activities and Traditions
Lantern Viewing:
This is one of the most important activities during the Lantern Festival. There are many types of lanterns, including palace lanterns, beast-head lanterns, carousel lanterns, and floral lanterns. They are beautifully designed and colorful.
People hang lanterns along streets and alleys, and large lantern festivals are also held. For example, the Qinhuai Lantern Festival in Nanjing is one of the oldest and most spectacular lantern festivals, attracting many tourists.
Riddle Guessing:
Lantern riddles are puzzles written on lanterns. These riddles both stimulate intelligence and suit the festive atmosphere.
While admiring the lanterns, people gather around to guess the answers to the riddles. The riddles cover literature, history, geography, and other subjects. Those who guess correctly often win small prizes.
Eating Yuanxiao (Tangyuan):
Yuanxiao (or tangyuan) is a traditional food for the Lantern Festival. It is made of glutinous rice flour and comes in round shapes with sweet fillings such as sesame, red bean paste, or fruit.
Eating yuanxiao symbolizes family unity and happiness, and the round shape represents completeness and prosperity.
Dragon and Lion Dances:
Dragon and lion dances are traditional performances during the Lantern Festival, believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
These performances are often accompanied by the sounds of drums and gongs, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere that attracts many spectators.
How to Experience the Lantern Festival?
1.Attend Local Chinatown Celebrations: Large events take place in cities like London, San Francisco, and Sydney, where you can experience the festivities firsthand.
2.Make Your Own Lanterns: DIY simple lanterns using red envelopes, colored paper, and candles (search for tutorials on YouTube).
3.Learn a New Year Greeting:
In Chinese: “元宵节快乐！月圆人团圆！”
In English: “Happy Lantern Festival! May your life be as sweet as tangyuan!”
Traditional Foods of the Lantern Festival
In addition to yuanxiao, the following foods are also commonly eaten during the Lantern Festival:
Rice Cake (Nian Gao): Also known as sticky rice cake, it symbolizes progress and advancement in the coming year.
Dumplings (Jiaozi): Commonly eaten in the north during the New Year, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Date Cake: Symbolizes good fortune and a prosperous life.
Lettuce: Popular in Guangdong, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.
Oil Tea: Popular in places like Guangxi, Guizhou, and Hunan, symbolizing harvest and happiness.
Other foods include noodles, wheat cakes, and Yuanxiao tea.
Don’t forget to mark this special day on your calendar and celebrate the Lantern Festival with your family and friends, enjoying the joy of reunion!
