What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival? Brief

What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival?

What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival? The Lantern Festival is one of the important festivals of the Chinese nation. As the saying goes, the Lantern Festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. In the traditional concept, the year is truly over only after celebrating the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and eating the Lantern Festival. Let’s understand the meaning of the Lantern Festival briefly. What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival briefly 1

Lantern Festival The significance of the festival

Unlike other traditional festivals that emphasize "family reunion", the Lantern Festival emphasizes "universal celebration". The Lantern Festival is regarded as the last climax of the Spring Festival, because after this day, people will really enter the production and life of the new year, so people celebrate the Lantern Festival to pray to God for good weather and a bumper harvest in the coming year. This is also It expresses people’s good expectations for the New Year. Because of this, there is a custom among Chinese people to "have Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month".

This traditional festival, which has been passed down for more than 2,000 years, is not only popular in the north and south of the Yangtze River, but also celebrated year after year in overseas Chinese settlement areas. Every Lantern Festival, people will go out of their homes and crowd into the streets. In addition to making lanterns and guessing lantern riddles, there are also dragon and lion dances, stilt walking, land boat racing, and Zhoushan gongs and drums... Among them, there are many customs and activities. It is a national intangible cultural heritage. People go out to enjoy the moon, light lanterns and set off flames, guess lantern riddles, eat Lantern Festivals, and celebrate festivals together, allowing the masses to participate and enjoy the aesthetic memories left by these intangible cultural heritages.

In fact, the Lantern Festival is not an isolated festival, it is a part of the Spring Festival. To understand the significance of the Lantern Festival, we must examine it within the context of the Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival starts from New Year’s Eve when people close their doors to stay up late until the Lantern Festival. It is a process in which people continue to expand the scope of their activities and expand their interpersonal relationships. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I pay New Year greetings to my parents, and on the second day of the Lunar New Year, I go back to my parents’ home to pay New Year greetings. In the future, the scope of New Year greetings will gradually be expanded to include general relatives and friends. During this period, people's activities are limited to acquaintances. On the fifth day of the lunar month, farm work can begin and shops can open. During this period, society begins to operate normally. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, all members of society, regardless of gender, old or young, join in the festival activities. Therefore, the Lantern Festival has the significance of confirming the relationship between all members of society (including those who do not know each other).

The Lantern Festival is a true "carnival" for the whole society. Even ancient women who were usually confined to their homes were free to go out and play. Of course, some people of etiquette and law opposed this custom, such as Sima Guang in the Song Dynasty. On Lantern Festival night, his wife dressed up and prepared to go out to enjoy the lanterns. Sima Guang asked: "Why do we need to go out to see the lights at home?" His wife replied: "I also want to see the tourists." Sima Guang said: "I am a ghost?!" This is too unreasonable. You can't just let your wife do it. Do you only see his face all year round? Fortunately, the society does not buy the blame of these etiquette people, and most women still have fun. The Lantern Festival allows people to have free entertainment, which is an outlet designed by ancient society for overly strict etiquette and law systems. Some young people take the opportunity to meet their special someone. As Xin Qiji said: "The crowd searched for him thousands of times, but suddenly looking back, he was in the dimly lit place."

The main activity of the Lantern Festival is mass entertainment, but its social and cultural The meaning is not just entertainment.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there are many religious activities to pray for the blessings of the gods. Ancient people worshiped the god Taiyi (Taiyi) because he was the highest god and controlled the destiny of mankind. By worshiping him, you can get a good harvest and peace. The ancients worshiped the earth god to bless the silkworms with a good harvest.

The Lantern Festival is also a festival for seeking children. "Stealing Lamps" in Volume 12 of Chen Yuanliang's "Sui Guang Ji" of the Song Dynasty explained the reasons why people stole lanterns during the Lantern Festival at that time: "One cloud means that anyone who steals lanterns is a sign of a man." The word "lamp" here is homophonic to "ding". , that is, men. In this way, stealing the lamp symbolizes the birth of a son. According to the same principle, watching lanterns also has the meaning of seeking children. Therefore, it was justifiable for ancient women to go out to watch lanterns for this reason. Until the Republic of China, it was a custom in many places to send lanterns to childless families to wish them more children. In the Qing Dynasty, there was an activity of touching city gate nails. Nail is also pronounced as "ding". People hope to pray for a son by touching the doornail. People in some areas also give symbolic meaning to glutinous rice balls.

Of course, today with huge population pressure, the Lantern Festival activity of seeking children is rarely seen.

Modern people have given a new interpretation to glutinous rice balls, which are sweet and round, symbolizing family reunion and happiness. It is in line with people's inner hopes. The Lantern Festival thus acquired new cultural significance.

Customs of the Lantern Festival

Eating Yuanxiao

Eating glutinous rice balls is called eating Yuanxiao in some places. There is not much difference between the two, but the names of the north and the south are different. The difference. Eating glutinous rice balls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is a traditional Lantern Festival custom, which means reunion. The older generations regard harmony as the most important thing. They always hope that each of our families can be harmonious and beautiful in the new year, and everything will be reunited and spent together. Eating a bowl of glutinous rice balls next to the elderly is a good sign for the year

Sending lanterns

Sending lanterns is also called giving lanterns to children. In ancient times, before the Lantern Festival, newly married couples would I always receive lanterns from my parents’ family, because lanterns have the same pronunciation as “ding”, which means that in the new year, my daughter’s family will be able to have more children and be prosperous. There are many such scenes in many movies and TV dramas. The woman is in the river. Put out lanterns.

Playing with dragon lanterns

Since ancient times, we Chinese have regarded ourselves as descendants of the dragon, because the dragon symbolizes good fortune and wealth. During the Lantern Festival, dancing with dragon lanterns adds to the festive atmosphere. The festive atmosphere is now held in many parks during the Lantern Festival. It probably evolved from here.

Ying Zigu

According to old legend, Zigu was a kind and beautiful woman who was forced by life to become a rich man’s concubine. However, she was jealous and wronged by others. He died in the toilet and was later named the toilet god. On the night of the Lantern Festival, people would make a model of Zigu with straw to worship her and pray for her to bless the family's health and safety.

Stilt walking

Stilt walking is one of the traditional activities of the Han people. During festivals, people will go out to do things, walk on stilts together, and celebrate lively. At the same time, walking on stilts is also a traditional opera with various forms and is deeply loved by the people.

Wandering around

In ancient times, on the 15th or 16th day of the first lunar month in northern areas, women would go out for a walk in groups, either by the bridge or in the city. He felt for nails on the door wall to ask for a child, and returned home at night. Getting rid of all kinds of diseases is also called losing old appearance. After experiencing the cold winter, the elderly will also go out for a walk, stretch their muscles and bones, and live younger and younger.

Origin of the Lantern Festival

In ancient times, people called the night "Xiao", and the first month was the first month according to the lunar calendar, so the first month of the new year was also called "Xiao". A full moon night is called the "Lantern Festival". As the first important festival after the Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival is not only celebrated by Chinese people all over the world, but also has a long history.

In fact, people have had the custom of "turning on lights and praying for blessings" since ancient times. That is, on the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people put tried lamps into the river to worship the gods and pray for blessings.

With the traditional custom of "turning on lights to pray" in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it also has the meaning of "burning lights to represent Buddha". By the time of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese and Western cultures had further exchanges and contacts, and Buddhism had become the mainstream culture. Officials and ministers in the court and ordinary people in the markets would "light lanterns and worship Buddha" on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. From this, the Lantern Festival It has become a legal matter to put up lights and streamers during the festival. However, the official name of "Lantern Festival" was formed in the late Tang Dynasty. In the Song Dynasty, it was called "Lantern Festival", and in the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Lantern Festival". What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival? Brief 2

Why should we eat Yuanxiao during the Lantern Festival?

Symbolizing reunion

Eating Yuanxiao is an ancient traditional custom. The shape of the Lantern Festival is very It is round and round, so eating Yuanxiao also symbolizes reunion, peace and happiness. Therefore, eating Yuanxiao during the Lantern Festival expresses people's wishes for a better life.

Replenishing the body

Yuanxiao is made from grinding glutinous rice into powder. Glutinous rice is mild in nature and sweet in taste. It can strengthen the spleen and appetite, replenish deficiency and regulate blood, replenish qi and stop diarrhea. , promote body fluids and moisturize dryness. At the same time, glutinous rice is rich in protein and various mineral components such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, etc., which can play a certain role in replenishing the body after eating.

Are Yuanxiao and glutinous rice balls the same thing?

No.

Yuanxiao and glutinous rice balls are not the same thing. During the Lantern Festival, the north eats yuanxiao, while the south eats glutinous rice balls.

Although Yuanxiao and glutinous rice balls look similar, they are also different. There are differences between the two in terms of production techniques and taste.

The difference between Yuanxiao and glutinous rice balls

The difference in cooking methods

Yuanxiao: Yuanxiao is mainly stuffed. Make the stuffing first, and then cut it into small pieces. Then put the stuffing in a basket filled with glutinous rice flour and shake it back and forth until a thick layer of glutinous rice coats the outside of the stuffing.

Tangyuan: The process of making glutinous rice balls is more like making dumplings. You need to mix the glutinous rice flour and let it wake up thoroughly, then make the fillings, wrap the fillings into the risen dough and knead it into a round shape. Can.

Differences in taste

Yuanxiao: The skin of Yuanxiao is very smooth, so it tastes more delicate, and the filling of Yuanxiao has more moisture, so The filling inside flows out easily when you bite into it.

Glutinous rice balls: In comparison, the skin of glutinous rice balls will be stronger, so they will taste chewier, and the soup used to cook the glutinous rice balls will also be thicker.

Differences in cooking methods

Yuanxiao: In addition to boiling, the cooking method of Yuanxiao can also be fried, so the taste will be richer.

Tangyuan: Generally speaking, Tangyuan can only be boiled in water, but it is easier to cook than Yuanxiao. It usually takes about 3-5 minutes to cook.

Why should we hang lanterns during the Lantern Festival?

To increase the festive atmosphere.

On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people have the custom of hanging lanterns, so the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is also called the "Festival of Lanterns". In more prosperous and lively areas, before the arrival of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people will The streets are filled with lanterns, flowers are everywhere, and lights are swaying, which can create a festive atmosphere and add to the lively atmosphere of the festival. And most of the lanterns are red, which is also a symbol of auspiciousness. What is the meaning of the Lantern Festival? Brief 3

The difference between Yuanxiao and Tangyuan

1. Different methods

The glutinous rice balls are wrapped, with a smooth and sticky skin.

Yuanxiao is rolled out, and the skin is dry and soft.

Tangyuan is made by mixing raw glutinous rice flour with hot or cold water into a dough, then wrapping various fillings in it and rolling it into a round shape;

Yuanxiao is made first Cut the fixed filling into small pieces, dip it in water, then shake it on a sieve filled with raw glutinous rice flour, sprinkle some water while shaking, and wait until the filling is completely coated with flour and rolled into a ball.

2. Different filling options

The filling of glutinous rice balls is soft, and there are many choices of salty, sweet, meat and vegetable.

The fillings of Yuanxiao are on the hard side and generally have a single sweet taste.

In addition to the traditional five kernels, bean paste, and hawthorn cake, the fillings of glutinous rice balls also include many whole grains, fruits, and flower flavors, as well as crazy dried plums, vegetables, roasted pork, and mushrooms and fresh meat fillings;

In contrast, Yuanxiao is much more specialized, with sweetness as the main ingredient, and black sesame and bean paste as common fillings.

3. Different ways of eating

Glutinous rice balls are mostly eaten boiled or stir-fried.

Yuanxiao is mostly eaten fried, but it can also be eaten boiled.

If you cook glutinous rice balls, then the cooking time is relatively short, it will take about 3-5 minutes to float, and the soup after cooking will be clear soup;

If you cook yuanxiao, then cook It takes a long time to cook, often more than 10 minutes, and the cooked soup becomes muddy because the raw glutinous rice flour absorbs water.

4. Different storage methods

Tangyuan can be frozen, so the shelf life is longer.

Yuanxiao is easy to crack when frozen, so the shelf life is relatively short.

Because glutinous rice balls are easier to store, quick-frozen glutinous rice balls can be purchased all over the country and can be eaten all over the country. In some areas in the south, glutinous rice balls are eaten during the Spring Festival, Winter Solstice and other solar terms.

Yuanxiao is easy to crack after being stored for a few days or frozen, so usually only in the north can it be made on-site and sold on the same day, but this has a more festive atmosphere.

People with taboos for Yuanxiao

Diabetic patients: Yuanxiao has a high sugar content. If patients are greedy for food, blood sugar will rise sharply, which will not only worsen the disease The condition can also induce ketoacidosis.

Patients with ulcer disease: Eating Yuanxiao can increase gastric acid secretion and aggravate the irritation of the ulcer surface. In severe cases, it can induce gastric bleeding, gastric perforation, etc.

People with gastrointestinal indigestion: Yuanxiao is made of glutinous rice noodles, which is sticky and difficult to digest. After eating, it can cause stomach pain, bloating, belching, acid reflux and even diarrhea.

Patients with acute gastroenteritis: The gastrointestinal tract is in a state of congestion and edema. Patients should eat rice soup, lotus root starch and other easily digestible foods. Eating Yuanxiao will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

Patients with high fever: The gastrointestinal tract of patients is in a relatively suppressed state during fever, so they should eat easily digestible food such as liquid food, otherwise the condition will be aggravated.

Patients with high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and gout: Eating Yuanxiao for these patients may aggravate their condition, so it is better to eat less.

For patients who have just recovered from a long illness: Although their appetite has improved, their digestive function is still weak. Excessive consumption of Yuanxiao is not conducive to recovery.

Elderly and frail people: These people have reduced digestive function and lost teeth. Especially the elderly have slow swallowing reflexes. They may cause Yuanxiao to get stuck in their throats due to rapid swallowing, leading to difficulty breathing or even death from suffocation.

Infants and young children: Children’s digestive function is weak and their swallowing reflex is not yet fully developed. Therefore, when eating Yuanxiao, they cannot eat it whole. They should eat it in quarters, and eat one bite before taking the second bite. Be sure to chew slowly to prevent unexpected events.