The Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie is a traditional Chinese festival, which is on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. The festival marks the end of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year.
It is one of the grandest traditional festivals in China. It is very important. It was named the Lantern Festival because it was held at the night of the 15th of the first month of the lunar calendar year. The Lantern Festival was also called "Deng Jie" and "Deng Xi", because the main activity of the festival is to light the lanterns. The Lantern Festival is also called "Shang Yuan" and "Shang Yuan Festival", these names come from the Taoism.
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 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, 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.
