Chinese Lantern Festival Legends - The Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar Chinese New Year under the light of the first full moon.
Children sometimes carry lanterns during the festival and families often decorate their homes with New Year’s lanterns.
Myths and Legends
Two well-known legends shared in Chinese homes explain the origins of this popular holiday.
Celestial Bird & the Jade Emperor: Once a celestial bird descended from Heaven and flew to earth where it was killed by hunters. The Jade Emperor of heaven was angered by this as the bird was his favorite. So, he devised a plan to destroy the village and its residents by raining down fire on their homes on the 15th day of the Lunar Chinese New Year.
Depending on which version you read, the villagers were warned either by the Emperor’s daughter or other heavenly beings. On the 15th lunar day the villagers hung red lanterns outside their homes and set off firecrackers to give the Jade Emperor the impression that the village was burning. Believing the fire destroyed everything and everyone in it, the Jade Emperor didn’t carry out his plan.
Yuanxiao: Another legend tells of a girl named Yuanxiao who worked in the palace during the Han Dynasty and whose duties kept her from visiting her parents. She was so grieved at not being able to visit her family that she threaten to kill herself, but a wise man by the name of Dongfang Shuo came up with a plan to save the her.
Dongfang Shuo told the Emperor Han Wudi that the Jade Emperor of heaven had called on the Fire god to destroy the city on the 16th lunar day. He convinced the Emperor that since the Fire god loved red lanterns he and his city could avoid disaster by displaying lanterns throughout the streets on the 15th lunar day.
On that night the Emperor and Empress along with all the palace concubines and court officials came out to gaze at the beautiful lanterns. While they were distracted, Yuanxiao was able to leave for home to visit her family.
The Lunar Chinese Lantern Festival is a much anticipated celebration that the entire community participates in. Lanterns are hung in local temples, families hang lanterns in and around their homes, people carry lanterns in the parade and children try to solve the riddles found on the lanterns. The Dragon Dance takes place toward the end of the Lantern Festival and for many it is the highlight of the evening festivities.
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