LATERN FESTIVAL OF CHINA AND BEIJING OLYMPICS
(The Quiver) : Tuesday marked the the traditional Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Awarding ceremonies honoring Beijing Winter Olympic medalists were held in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, adding the sense of togetherness and unity on the festive night.
SPECIALITY OF LATERN FESTIVAL
It is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar chinese calender , during the full moon day. Usually this festival is celebrated in February or early March according to the Gregorian calender , it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying paper laterns and solve riddles on the lanterns . In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and only the emperor and noblemen had large ones.
In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. For example, lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals.
The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune. This festival acts as an Uposatha day on the Chinese calendar.
Latern festivals are now becoming popular in Western Countries like water Lantern Festival held in multiple locations in the united States, magical Latern festival in London. It is believed that the brightest laterns brings good luck for its owner.
Special foods -Tangyuan and Yuanxiao are prepared and eaten during this festival.
Tangyuan is a glutinous rice ball typically filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or peanut butter while Yuanxiao has a different manual making and filling processes. However both of them appears similiar. Chinese people believe that the round shape of the balls and the bowls in which they are served symbolize family togetherness, and that eating tangyuan or yuanxiao may bring the family harmony, happiness and luck in the new year.
