The lantern festival is a Chinese tradition that is celebrated all over the world. It is a time for friends & families to come together and enjoy food, games, and of course, lanterns! People look forward to this festival of light and hope every year.
In this article, we will explore the history of the lantern festival and look at some of the most famous celebrations around the world. We’ll discuss the history of lantern festivals below and some of the most famous celebrations worldwide! Be sure to check it out!
The Lantern Festival today
Today, the lantern festival is celebrated all over the world. In fact, dozens of famous celebrations occur each year. The most popular events are held in Taipei, Taiwan. This celebration attracts millions of people each year and features fantastic displays of lighted lanterns. Another popular festival is held in Hong Kong and includes a parade of boats decorated with colourful lanterns.
History of Lantern Festival
The lantern festival is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. It is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty, which was from the year 600-900 AD. During this time, China was one of the most powerful empires globally, and the lantern festival was used as a way to celebrate the new year and mark the end of winter.
Over time, the tradition has evolved and now includes many different activities and traditions. The history of the lantern festival dates back thousands of years and was initially used as a way to celebrate the new year and mark the end of winter.
Today, it has evolved into an international event with dozens of famous celebrations that attract millions of people from around the globe. One such festival takes place in Taipei, Taiwan, where they light up their city by hanging colourful paper lamps on trees or poles during this time.
Spring Lantern Festival in HongKong
Another popular festival is held in Hong Kong, including parades with boats covered in decorative lights. At the same time, another one happens every February when the Japanese light up their streets using paper balls called koinobori.
According to Wikipedia, “The origin of the Lantern Festival was derived from a story about the noted Chinese general, Yue Fei. He was outnumbered by an army of 300,000 soldiers but still managed to fight back against the enemy’s invasion. His loyal soldiers, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for him, asked him what they should do if there were another war.
Lantern Festival Date
The Lantern Festival is a special time of year because it celebrates the end of the Chinese New Year. It is also known as Yuanxiao Festival and Zhong Xiao Jie.
“The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar,” said Wikipedia.com
| Year | Chinese Lantern Festival Date |
| 2024 | February 24 |
| 2023 | February 5 |
| 2022 | February 15 |
| 2021 | February 26 |
Lantern festival message & Quotes
The traditional activity for this celebration in China is to release floating lanterns. The Lantern Festival is celebrated by releasing floating lanterns into the sky. The meaning behind this tradition is to let go of your worries and sadness.
- “Float the Lanterns in the sky as if all the Stars are closer tonight.”
- “I’ve become a lantern bearer, lighting the path this country will take.” ~ Nahoko Uehashi
- “Letting go is easy if it’s a lantern”.
- “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.” ~ Emily Dickinson
- The Lantern Festival is “a traditional New Year’s celebration”.
- Yue Fei’s reply was: “Continue to burn the lanterns and hang up the banners [to prepare for more fighting]. If there is another war, we shall atone with our lives.”
Most people know of the Lantern Festival because of Chinese legend. The Lantern Festival is considered a time to hope for good luck, fortune and prosperity. People say a common phrase during the Lantern Festival is Yuan Xiao Jie Kuai Le. It means “Happy Lantern Festival.”
Conclusion:
In this article, we discussed the history of the lantern festival as well as some of the most famous celebrations around the world. The important thing people think about when they hear about the lantern festival is a Chinese tradition. However, many different celebrations take place each year worldwide.
