4 activities you should know about the Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, with a history of over 2,000 years, falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which is Feb 5th this year. It marks the final day of the Lunar Chinese New Year. Here are 4 activities you should know about the Lantern Festival.

Lantern riddles

Guessing lantern riddles is an essential component of the Lantern Festival. Lantern owners will write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns in advance. If visitors can answer the riddles, they will get a little gift. The activity emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Dragon-lantern Show

Playing the dragon lantern, also known as the dragon lantern dance. According to legend, as early as the Yellow Emperor period, there appeared an image of a person playing the leading body of the dragon. Chinese people advocate dragons, and the dragon was considered a symbol of good luck. 

Eating small dumpling balls

Small dumpling balls——Yuanxiao has a long history in China. The general process is first to mix the fillings, which are later spread evenly into big round slices, let to cool, and then cut into small cubes.  Then stuff pieces into a large sieve-like machine with river rice, and then “sieved” up.  With the fillings becoming spherical in each collision, glutinous rice is also formed on the surface-stained fillings – Yuanxiao.

Eating Watching fireworks

At night, in addition to magnificent lighted lanterns, fireworks form a grand scene. Most families save some fireworks from the Spring Festival and set them off during the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party.