Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie) falls on February 12, 2025. It is a festive day and the end of the Chinese New Year (the Spring Festival). Click to see the origin, traditions, food, etc. Chinese Lantern Festival - History. The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival since Han 漢 Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. In the early Tan 唐 Dynasty (618-907AD), it was called the Shan-Yuan 上元 Festival, because of Taoism. in the late Tan Dynasty, it was called the Yuan-Xiao 元宵 Festival. The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival originated in Qin Dynasty (221 - 207 BC). It falls on the first Chinese lunar month which is called Yuan month in old times. It is the first night to see the full moon. Night is called Xiao in mandarin. So, the festival is also called Yuan Xiao Festival. Lantern Festival, holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honors deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The holiday marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year. It comes two weeks after Chinese New Year’s Day, which the first day of the 15-day Spring Festival celebration period. Since Chinese New Year is on February 10, 2024, the Lantern Festival is coming up! It’s time to celebrate it on Sunday, February 24th in 2024. It marks the first full moon of the new year, and the end of the Spring Festival. Yuan-Xiao's parents went into the palace to watch the lantern decorations and were reunited with their daughter. The emperor decreed that people should do the same thing every year. Since Yuan-Xiao cooked the best tangyuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao Festival. For each Festival celebrated, a switch in the Chinese Zodiac takes place. The Chinese Lantern Festival, also known as Yuan Xiao Jie or Shang Yuan Festival, falls on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year. In 2025, it will be celebrated on the 12th of February. The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year Festival. All the celebrations stop from this day, and the new year taboos are no longer in effect. The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao Festival, welcomes the lunar year’s first full moon. It’s a dazzling holiday that wraps up Chinese New Year’s annual Spring Festival with a night of sparkling lights. The first month of the Chinese lunar calendar is called yuan (元) month, and in ancient times people called night xiao (宵). It is the first night to see a full moon after the Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival). Thus, the Chinese Lantern Festival is also called "Yuan Xiao Festival" or "Shang Yuan Festival" The lantern festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. Also known as 元宵節; Yuánxiāo jié (translated into the Yuan Xiao Festival), this festival is celebrated on the 15th day on the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, or in short, 15 days after the Chinese New year. As we know, Chinese traditional festivals are based on the Lunar Calendar instead of our Yuanxiao, or sweet rice balls, are traditionally eaten on Lantern Festival, which is the last day of the two-week Chinese New Year holiday.Lantern Festival falls on the first full moon of the new year and people traditionally go out on the street at night carrying lanterns, and light fireworks and visit friends and family. The Lunar New Year holiday comes to its climax with the Yuan Xiao (元宵节 / yuán xiāo jié), or Lantern Festival, celebrated on February 15, 2022. The festival began over 2000 years ago and has developed many meanings. It celebrates family reunions and society. It features ancient spiritual traditions. Chinese call the Chinese Lantern Festival as Yuan-Xiao Che, which is on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. The first day of the first lunar month is the Chinese New Year Day. Since the Chinese New Year is on February 10, 2024, the Chinese Lantern Festival of 2024 falls on February 24, 2024. Yuanxiao are sweet glutinous rice balls that are typically filled with a sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or even peanut butter.The Chinese believe that the round shape of the yuanxiao dumplings and the special bowls in which they are commonly served symbolize family togetherness. The Lantern Festival (元宵节 or Yuánxiāojié in pinyin) is a Chinese holiday that traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) celebrations. Chinese people celebrate this holiday by enjoying colored lantern displays and eating sweet rice balls called tangyuan. Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in China. The celebration usually starts around late January or early February, and lasts 15 days. YUAN XIAO JIE Peanut Yuan Xiao 花生元宵 (huā shēng yuán xiaō) and Black Sesame Rice Balls 芝麻湯圓 (zhī má tāng yuán) are a definite must have during Chinese New Year. We can eat them anytime, but especially on Lantern Festival 元宵節 (yuán xiaō jié), Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solstice Festival. Happening on the 15th day of the first lunar month (February 5 this year), the event, called Yuan Xiao Jie in Mandarin Chinese, is considered the perfect ending to the weeks-long Lunar New Year Known as Yuan Xiao Jie in Chinese, this festival is famous for its Yuan Xiao (sweet rice balls), whose round shape symbolizes family unity and togetherness. Cities are illuminated with spectacular lantern displays and lively dragon dances, bringing a joyful end to the new year festivities and ushering in hopes for a prosperous year ahead. Top 30 Recipes for Chinese New Year; What is Tang Yuan. Tang Yuan/汤圆, also known as Yuan Xiao/元宵 or Chinese glutinous rice balls, is a round, stuffed Chinese dessert made of glutinous rice flour and a sweet, semi-runny filling. It’s always served warm in a plain or sweetened liquid.
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