It's time again for the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This festival is commonly considered as the conclusion and final carnival of Spring Festival celebrations. Folk cultural activities including lantern shows and the guessing of lantern riddles are usually held at parks and tourist attractions.
The Lantern Festival
Why was the festival
named after the “lanterns”?
Several theories have been put forward, with one of the most widely accepted was adopted from the concept of Taoism. The Lantern Festival was also known as “Shang Yuan” Festival in ancient days, referring to the first time of the full moon according to the lunar calendar, compared with “Zhong Yuan” and “Xia Yuan” festivals, marking the 15th day of the seventh and tenth lunar months respectively.
The Lantern Festival
Qinhuai Lantern Festival
Qinhuai Lantern Festival, also known as Jinling Lantern Festival, is regarded as one of the largest folk activities in China with a history of over 1,600 years. As early as the Southern Dynasties (420-589), the lantern festival was held in Nanjing, which was also the earliest and largest lantern festival in China.
Qinhuai Lantern Festival is mainly held during the Spring Festival. This year, it will last for 90 days from January 1 to March 31. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic scenery, interact with lights and pray for their families and friends.
The Lantern Festival
The New Year Lantern Festival is mainly spread along Qinhuai River in Nanjing. At present, it has been extended to the east core area of the "Ten-mile Qinhuai River", including Confucius Temple, Zhanyuan Garden, Egret Island Park, Wu Jingzi's Former Residency, Jiangnan Gongyuan, Zhonghua Gate Castle, Zhonghua Road, Pingjiangfu Road, Zhanyuan Road, and Pipa Road.
The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival celebrations are much more diverse right now, marked by technological light shows and television galas. Even staying indoors, we can still enjoy the fabulous lantern show online.
Happy Lantern Festival to all SEUers at home and abroad !
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