Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Light, paper, fire, wishes and riddles, the lunar New Year ends. The Lantern Festival ?"Shangyuan"Yuanxi"? is one of the main traditional celebrations in China and is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, usually in February or March of the Gregorian calendar. And today, Peninsula 360 Press invites you to close with a flourish the arrival of the Year of the Ox, where work and effort will be the most rewarding qualities.
And to celebrate the Lantern Festival, this February 20th, Peninsula 360 Press invites you to celebrate the closing of the Lunar New Year in a virtual way. Don't miss it, there will be a variety of activities for all ages.
Origin of the Lantern Festival
Its origin dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), a time when Buddhism became popular throughout the country. And according to the government of the People's Republic of China, an emperor learned that Buddhist monks would look at the cremated remains of the Buddha's body, and light lanterns to worship the Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month, so he ordered lanterns to be lit in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to the Buddha.
In time, the Buddhist rite became a great festival among the common people and its influence spread throughout the central plains of China.
Riddles and Magic
Guessing riddles on lanterns is an essential part of the holiday. The owners of these lampshades write riddles on a piece of paper and stick them on the lanterns. According to the tradition, which dates back to the Song Dynasty ?960-1270?, if visitors have the solution to the riddles, they can take the paper and go to the owners to check the answer. If the answer is correct, they will receive a small gift.
Long tablecloths
A typical food on this holiday is "yuanxiao", glutinous rice dumplings with sweet or meat filling. Being round and compact, they represent the solid family reunion, even their pronunciation means the same thing. The dish is named after tangyuan, and they can be boiled, fried or steamed. The taste is sweet and delicious.
Party here. Party there
The celebration is not the same everywhere. Midu district is located in the Bai nationality autonomous prefecture of Dali, southwest China, and there, the Lantern Festival celebration was introduced from inland China since the Yuan Dynasty, which means it has a history of about 800 years.
During the festival, besides exhibiting lanterns, people dance folkloric dances and perform Opera de Faroles.
The Lantern Opera is also performed in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces and has evolved by adopting the songs and dances of the celebrations.
With hype
Before the celebrations, lanterns of various shapes and bright colors are made in every family in the villages and rural areas of China and in various parts of the world.
These lamps are placed on the main doors of the house and are lit at night.
In addition to the exhibition of all kinds of lanterns, the celebration is accompanied by other activities such as the dragon and lion dances, interpretation of songs and other folk dances.
Throughout China, there are a number of lantern makers. The construction process is not easy. They have to make frames, lay paper or silk, apply patterns and paint.
Heritage and tradition have fostered that generation after generation, the celebration continues and has become a unique flower of Chinese art.
Join us to learn about this and other traditions at Peninsula 360 Press this afternoon. Don't miss out on a variety of activities where kids and adults alike can enjoy, learn and celebrate a celebration that is hundreds of years old.
