Why are there lanterns on the Lantern Festival?

The custom of putting out lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first month originated from Buddhism and Buddhist activities. However, after the formation of this custom, its religious color gradually faded and became a carnival festival for the people.

Extended data:

The reason for the lantern: It is said that a god bird was accidentally shot by an unsuspecting hunter long ago because it got lost. The Emperor of Heaven was furious and ordered the heavenly soldiers to set fire to the ground on the fifteenth day of the first month, burning all the people, livestock and wealth. At this time, an old man came up with an idea: "On the 14th, 15th and 16th of the first month, red lights are hung in front of every house, and firecrackers and fireworks are set off.

God will think that people have been burned to death. "Everyone nodded. On the fifteenth night of the first month, the heavenly soldiers looked into the mortal world and found that there was a fire on earth. They thought the fire was burning, so they told the emperor that there was no need to set fire to the ground. Hearing this, the emperor was very happy.

In this way, people saved their lives and property. From now on, on the 14th, 15th and 16th of the first month of every year, every household will set off fireworks and firecrackers to commemorate this day.

Historical records show that the custom of Lantern Festival existed in written records before Sui Dynasty. "History as a Mirror" Volume 175: Liu "In modern customs, every night on the fifteenth day of the first month, lighting games, please ban it. Yue: I secretly look at Beijing, Henan and other provinces. In the first month, I watch the night. The streets are full of strangers, playing with friends, singing drums and beating the sky. The torch shines on the earth. No money to go bankrupt, fight for this moment. Do your best, don't ask the nobles, mix men and women, and you don't care. "

References:

Lantern-Baidu Encyclopedia