Lantern Festival (元宵节, yuánxiāo jié) is an event celebrated every year in China. The date is defined by the first full moon of the lunar calendar; therefore, the time of the celebrations differs each year according to the solar calendar. Lantern Festival 2025 will take place on the 12th of February. Although it’s not a public holiday, families enjoy it by spending time together and taking part in festive activities.
Lantern Festival’s origin
It’s assumed that the Lantern Festival’s roots trace back to around 2,000 years ago during the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). Only legends about its origin remained, the most known being the story of Emperor Ming, who was a supporter of Buddhism. One day, the emperor discovered a tradition among the Buddhist monks – they would light up lanterns on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar. He decreed that everyone must light a lantern on that day, a tradition that has survived till the modern era.
Another legend talks about a maid called Yuan Xiao. She was separated from her family since she began working for the emperor. Burdened by pain, the girl decided to commit suicide when suddenly a man stopped her. The stranger introduced himself as Dongfang Shuo, the emperor’s valued adviser. After promising Yuan Xiao to make her wish come true, he immediately put the plan into action – he offered the citizens to predict their future, which was identical for everyone. People were frightened by the prophecy of an approaching calamity. Unsure of what to do, they asked Shuo for advice, to which he replied that on the thirteenth day of the lunar calendar, the God of Fire would send an envoy to burn the city, and the only solution was to beg for mercy. Under the disguise of an envoy, Yuan Xiao arrived in the city and told the crowd to pass the emperor a decree from the God of Fire. Guided by Shuo’s advice, the emperor ordered Yuan Xiao and the citizens to prepare tangyuan for the god and then go outside with lanterns and firecrackers. Yuan Xiao was allowed to see her family as a reward for preparing wonderful delicacies. This way, Dongfang Shuo kept his promise, and the emperor decided to turn the festivities into an annual tradition.
How is the Lantern Festival 2025 celebrated?
Although the Lantern Festival isn’t a public holiday, it’s celebrated each year. Families gather to enjoy the special day and cultivate traditions together. What does the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar offer?
Traditional dishes
Just like other holidays, Lantern Festival wouldn’t be the same without its signature dishes. The most popular one is yuanxiao, a type of sweet dumpling similar to tangyuan from the legend.
Lanterns and riddles
As the festival’s name suggests, Lanterns are the celebration’s highlight. The most common color of lanterns used to decorate cities and houses is red, as it symbolizes luck in China. Riddles written on them provide an entertaining activity for children, who can receive a small reward for solving them.
Lion dance
One of the most popular attractions is the lion dance, which symbolizes good fortune. Dancers perform in a gorgeous lion costume, imitating a lion’s movements.
Lantern Festival 2025’s impact on import from China
As a person dealing with suppliers from China, it’s crucial to remember that Lantern Festival 2025 will take place on the 12th of February. Contractors might be unavailable due to the festivities despite it not being a national holiday, so it’s not advisable to attempt contacting them that day.