Lantern Festival
The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is the Chinese Lantern
Festival because 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 Yuan Xiao Festival in China.
According to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning
of a lunar new year -- Spring
Festival, 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, people will try
to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (glutinous
rice ball) and get all their families united in the joyful
atmosphere.
Until the Sui Dynasty in the sixth century, Emperor Yangdi
invited envoys from other countries to China to see the colorful
lighted lanterns and enjoy the gala performances.
 There
are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern
Festival. But one thing for sure is that it had something
to do with religious worship.
One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi,
the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the
God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He
had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when
to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human
beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite
the country, all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies
each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable
weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi
of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event.
In 104 BC, he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations
and the ceremony would last throughout the night.
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