圆圆满满元宵节

元宵节小百科 | About the Lantern Festival

农历正月十五元宵节，又称为“上元节”、上元佳节、小正月、元夕或灯节，是春节之后的第一个重要节日。正月是农历的元月，古人称夜为“宵”，所以把一年中第一个月圆之夜正月十五称为元宵节。汉族传统的元宵节始于2000多年前的秦朝。元宵节是是祭月、赏月的日子，也象征著春天的到来，这是传统新春定义的最后一天。按中国民间的传统，在这天上皓月高悬的夜晚，人们要点起彩灯万盏，以示庆贺。出门赏月、燃灯放焰、喜猜灯谜、共吃元宵，合家团聚、同庆佳节，其乐融融。

Yuanxiao Festival (the Lantern Festival ) on January 15 of Chinese lunar calendar has a lot of different names in Chinese. It is the first major festival after the Spring Festival. January is regarded as Yuan (元, beginning, first) in Chinese lunar calendar. Xiao (宵) is what ancient Chinese call evening or night. Since January 15 is the first full moon night of Chinese lunar year, it is named Yuanxiao Festival. The tradition of celebrating the Lantern Festival for the Han nationality of China dates back to Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago. The Lantern Festival is a day for offering sacrifices to the moon and enjoying the glorious full moon (not to be mistaken as the Mid-Autumn Festival though). It symbols the arrival of Spring, and is reckoned the last day of the traditional Spring Festival. According to tradition, this full moon night is celebrated with thousands of lit lanterns (hence the English translation). On this day, people enjoy the full moon, light up lanterns and fireworks, guess lantern riddles, and eat Yuanxiao (sticky rice balls stuffed with sugar, sesame, or other stuff). It’s a holiday of family gathering and spring celebration, and an enjoyment of happiness with no bounds.

Photo: 成都·宽窄巷子 | China Lane, Chengdu

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Translated by Shane