The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao Festival (元宵節), is a highly anticipated and celebrated event in Taiwan. This festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and is observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This year, the Lantern Festival will be celebrated on February 24 and we wanted to share with you some of the festivities here on the ground.
History of the Lantern Festival
Ming Dynasty painting depicting a scene in Nanjing during the Lantern Festival. Source: Wikipedia
Many stories abound about the the origins of the Lantern Festival, one of which goes back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. It is said that during the Han Dynasty, Emperor Hanmingdi ordered that lanterns be hung in the palace and throughout the city on the 15th day of the first lunar month to honor Buddha. The practice of hanging lanterns has since evolved into the vibrant and festive event that is celebrated today.
Lantern Festival Activities
Today, the Lantern Festival is celebrated with various activities and traditions. The most iconic feature of the festival is the lanterns themselves, which come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Another tradition of the Lantern Festival is eating sweet dumplings made from glutinous rice flour served in a syrup or soup. Called "tangyuan" or "yuanxiao", these dumplings may have sweet fillings made out of peanut, sesame, or red bean paste. The circular shape of tangyuan or yuanxiao and the bowls they are served in symbolize family togetherness, suggesting that enjoying these treats during the new year may bring about family harmony, happiness, and good luck.
During the Lantern Festival, children also venture out at night carrying paper lanterns, engaging in the tradition of solving riddles attached to the lanterns.
The Lantern Festival in Taichung
This year, the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival is being held at Taichung’s Central Park. As this being the Year of the Dragon, the festival features many dragon-themed lanterns and displays.
The main attraction in the park is a dragon lantern that is 76 meters (250 ft) long and 27 meters (89 ft) wide.
The main dragon lantern at the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival all lit up. Source: Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau.
The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in Chinese culture, making it a fitting theme for this year's festival.
One of the highlights of the festival is the free paper dragon lanterns that are given out to visitors. These paper lanterns are a popular souvenir, and people often line up in long lines to get one. Here, folks are lining up for the lanterns an hour before they started handing them out!
And this is what they all were waiting for! Inside is a LED light that makes the lantern light up.
Lanterns Galore
Many organizations like government offices or schools create elaborate themed lanterns to put on display. At night, throngs of people come to see the lanterns all lit up in their full glory.
Even tea-themed displays are on show at the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival!
The Lantern Festival in Taiwan is a wonderful celebration of culture, tradition, and community. Whether you are a local or a visitor, if you happen to be in Taichung, it's well worth a visit to the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival!
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