Introduction of British Traditional Festivals in China

There are many different opinions about the origin of the Lantern Festival. But one thing is certain, it has something to do with religious worship.

A legend tells us that this is a time to worship Taiyi, the god of heaven in ancient times. People believe that the gods in the sky control the fate of the human world. He has 16 dragons on standby, and he decides when to inflict drought, storm, famine or plague on mankind. Since Qin Shihuang, the first emperor who unified the whole country, all the later emperors have held grand ceremonies every year. The emperor will ask Taiyi to bring good weather and health to him and his people. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty paid special attention to this matter. In BC 104, he announced that it was one of the most important celebrations, and the ceremony would last all night.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is a Taoist god responsible for good luck. His birthday is the first month of the lunar calendar 15. It is said that Tianguan likes all kinds of entertainment. So believers prepare all kinds of activities in which they pray for good luck.

The third story about the origin of this festival goes like this. Buddhism first entered China during the reign of Emperor Han Ming of the East. That was in the first century. However, it did not have a great impact on the people of China. One day, Emperor Ming Di had a dream that a golden man was in his palace. Just as he was about to ask who the mysterious figure was, Jin people suddenly rose to the sky and disappeared in the west. The next day, Emperor Ming Di sent a scholar on a pilgrimage to India to look for Buddhist scriptures. The scholar trekked thousands of miles and finally came back with the scriptures. Emperor Ming Di ordered the construction of a temple to house a Buddha statue and serve as a repository for scriptures. Believers believe that the power of Buddha can dispel darkness. Therefore, Emperor Ming Di ordered his subjects to display lighted lanterns at the Lantern Festival later.