What is the significance and symbol of Lantern Festival?

Implication and symbol: Yuanxiao is similar to "reunion", which means reunion, symbolizing the reunion, harmony and happiness of the whole family. People also miss their departed relatives and place their good expectations on their future life. Eating Yuanxiao, like a full moon, symbolizes family reunion and entrusts people with good wishes for their future life.

According to historical records such as Pingyuan Xu, Guangji Four Years Old and Ode to Daming, Yuanxiao, as a timely food to celebrate the Lantern Festival, began in the Song Dynasty. Because we must eat "Zi Yuan" during the Lantern Festival, people named it Yuanxiao.

Origin:

Yuanxiao originally meant "Lantern Festival Night", because the main activity of the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month was to eat Yuanxiao at night and enjoy the moon. Later, the name of this festival evolved into "Lantern Festival". The Lantern Festival will be held on the fifteenth day of the first month, which will push the celebration on New Year's Eve to another climax. On the night of Lantern Festival, the streets are decorated with lanterns and people appreciate them. Solve riddles on the lanterns and eating Yuanxiao have become the customs of several generations.

During the reign of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty, it was ordered that the 15th day of the first month be designated as the Lantern Festival. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the sacrificial activities of "Taiyi God" were scheduled for the 15th day of the first month. Taiyi: the God who rules the universe. When Sima Qian created the taichu calendar Law, he had already identified the Lantern Festival as a major festival.

Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Yuanxiao