The Origin of Lantern Show

灯笼展的起源

Lantern show is the major folk activity of Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie,which falls on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. The name derives¹ itself from the fact that the first lunar month is called yuan month and in the ancient times people called night xiao. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuanxiao Festival in China. According to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year,when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky,there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. At this time,peoplewill try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (sticky rice ball with sweet stuffs) and get all their families united in the joyful atmosphere. Compared with the Spring Festival,which emphasizes family reunion,Lantern Festival is an occasion of entertainment.

灯笼展是元宵节的主要民俗活动，它落在中国农历新年的第一个月的第15日。这个名字来源于农历正月被称为元月，在古代人们称夜宵。第15日是第一天能看到满月的晚上。所以在中国这一天也被称为元宵节。根据中国的传统，在新的一年刚开始的时候，当明亮的圆月挂在天空中，应该有成千上万只五颜六色的灯笼挂出来供人欣赏。在这个时候，人们会猜灯谜，吃元宵（甜糯米球），并和他们的所有家庭人在欢乐的气氛里团聚。跟春节相比起来，春节强调家庭团聚，而元宵节则是娱乐的好机会。