Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Traditional festivals - Why the Lantern Festival is not a holiday (Historical origin and cultural connotation of the Lantern Festival)

Why the Lantern Festival is not a holiday (Historical origin and cultural connotation of the Lantern Festival)

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, Lantern Festival, and the 15th day of the first lunar month, is one of the traditional Chinese festivals, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival originated in the Han Dynasty as a court activity during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and gradually evolved into a traditional folk festival. There are many theories about the origin of the Lantern Festival, the most widespread of which is that it originated from the ancient "Shangyuan Festival".

According to legend, the Festival was a court event during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, when the emperor and people in the court liked to set off fireworks, light lanterns and enjoy lanterns on this day. Over time, the festival gradually spread to the people and became a national festival, which is now known as the Lantern Festival.

The cultural connotation of the Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is a festival full of cultural connotations, which is not only a simple festival to enjoy lanterns and eat Lanterns, but also a festival to inherit Chinese culture and promote the spirit of the Chinese nation.

1. Traditional cultural heritage

The Lantern Festival is an important part of traditional Chinese culture, which carries rich cultural connotations, such as the Han's "on the Yuan Festival", "Lantern Appreciation", folk "guessing lantern riddles", and the "Lantern Festival". It carries rich cultural connotations, such as the Han Chinese "Shangyuan Festival", "Lantern Appreciation", folk "lantern riddles", "eating Lantern Festival" and other traditional customs, which represent the essence of traditional Chinese culture and traditional values.

2. The promotion of the spirit of the Chinese nation

The Lantern Festival is a symbol of unity, harmony and reunion of the Chinese nation, which promotes the spirit of unity of the Chinese nation and family virtues.

Why the Lantern Festival is not a holiday

Although the Lantern Festival is a very important festival, it has not become a legal holiday, this is because the Lantern Festival as a traditional festival, its cultural connotation and historical origin is very important, and it is celebrated in a very colorful way, so there is no need to take a holiday to celebrate.

In addition, the date of the Lantern Festival is on the 15th day after the Spring Festival, and this point in time is already the last day of the Spring Festival vacation.

How to celebrate the Lantern Festival

While there is no holiday for the Lantern Festival, there are still various ways for people to celebrate this important festival.

1. Appreciating lanterns

Appreciating lanterns is one of the most important ways to celebrate the Lantern Festival, and people can enjoy the festive atmosphere by enjoying various kinds of lanterns in parks, squares and other places.

2. Guessing lantern riddles

Guessing lantern riddles is one of the traditional customs of the Lantern Festival, people can hang riddles on the lanterns for tourists to guess, increasing the fun of the festival.

3. Eating Lanterns

Lanterns are one of the traditional foods of the Lantern Festival, and people can taste various flavors of Lanterns at home or in restaurants to experience the delicious taste of the festival.

4. Set off fireworks

Setting off fireworks is one of the traditional customs of the Lantern Festival, and people can set off fireworks outdoors to increase the lively atmosphere of the festival.