Real China 4

Lantern Festival

The Chinese New Year celebrations end today. On the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, on the first full moon, there is one of the oldest traditional holidays- the Lantern Festival (元宵节 yuan xiao jie).

This year, the Chinese celebrated the New Year on February 1, so today, cities in China are decorated with colorful lanterns. The tradition of this holiday is 2,000 years old, and hanging lanterns symbolized the connection with supernatural beings, respect for the Buddha, and resisting disasters and destruction.

Nowadays, the celebration of the Lantern Festival is mainly meetings with family, with friends, and spending time together. The full moon symbolizes union. The streets are decorated with shining lanterns of various shapes. Light shows, parades, games with rebuses in lanterns for children, and competitions for the most beautiful lantern are organized in the cities.

Among the traditional dishes characteristic of this festival are sweet dumplings, Yun Xia soup and rice balls (元宵 / yuan xiao or 汤圆 / tangyuan). Rice balls are made of sticky flour with a dressing of bean paste. Sometimes they are served with meat or fish. The symbol of eating round rice balls is family happiness, harmony, and unity.

On the occasion of the Lantern Festival, we wish everyone happiness and prosperity in private and professional life!