The Chinese and Lunar New Year have arrived and while the memories of the celebrations are still fresh with us, we’ll conclude our Spring Festival series by introducing you the Lantern Festival.&nbsp;The series has been fun to research and write about, but it wasn’t presented without controversy. &nbsp;However, as the objective of the series was to learn, to share, and to teach, that controversy is welcome too. We’ve learned more. So, what’s up? We have used the titles Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year and Spring Festival interchangeably throughout the series, but as a few of our savvy readers have noted, that approach is not technically correct. And as technically correct is our favourite type of correct, let’s explain. The Lunar New Year, as the name implies, is based on the Lunar Calendar. The Chinese New Year is based on the Lunisolar Calendar, which is an integration of the Lunar and Solar Calendars. A slight, but real difference. The Spring Festival name was the official one used in China after the founding of the Republic in 1911, however, the title Chinese New Year has regained popularity with the current generation. Interestingly, in an effort to promote inclusion many Westerners have shifted to using Lunar; the Asian version of Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas. Yet, in Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and many other counties, the official name of the holiday is actually Chinese New Year. In Japan, a place we love because it is different, it’s different. While they acknowledge the Lunar date, they follow the Solar Calendar.&nbsp;The preparations for the Lantern Festival begin late in the Spring Festival period in anticipation of the festival itself, which begins on February 24th this year. This date marks the first full moon of the New Year, taking place on the 15th day of the lunar calendar. We will not try to reconcile this date with the above paragraph. Please just trust us.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/113/113_Picture lantern.jpg"></figure>&nbsp;During the Ming Dynasty, the festival lasted for 10 days. In recent times, the celebrations have been shortened to 5 days.&nbsp;One legend suggests that the traditions surrounding the festival reach back to the Jade Emperor, who was angered by townspeople killing his goose. (We think that if he lived in Canada and he had a golf course or lawn to take care of, he wouldn’t be so fond of geese.) The emperor was planning to burn the town in a fit of anger and revenge, but a fairy advised the townspeople to launch lanterns to confuse him into thinking the town was already on fire. They did, it worked, and the town was saved. Others believe that the traditions began during the Han Dynasty when Monks used the lanterns to honour Buddha. Whatever the origin, over centuries of celebration the traditions continue.&nbsp;Like the Little New Year, and Chinese New Year’s Eve and Day, the modern Lantern Festival is about family and fun. Peace and reconciliation are an underlying theme of the ancient traditions, but the modern version has taken on a more practical tone. A favourite snack symbolizes this; yuan xiao.&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:30%;"><img src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/113/113_image.jpeg" alt="Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Jie - 元宵节) - The Woks of Life"></figure>&nbsp;These are rice balls that are often filled with fruits, nuts, or if all else fails, red bean. Their round shape symbolizes unity and wholeness in the family.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, lanterns are prominently displayed throughout the festival. Colourful lanterns add a vibrance and excitement to homes, shops, businesses, and neighbourhoods.&nbsp;The lanterns can include riddles, not too hard mind you, that if answered will earn the aspiring scholar a little gift.&nbsp;There is also a fun separate meaning to the lanterns. The Chinese word for lantern is tian deng, which has a very similar sound to tian ding, meaning add children. The subtly of the message may be lost on Westerners, but it comes across loud and clear to Chinese newlyweds.&nbsp;The Lantern Festival also features the famous Lion and Dragon Dances. This all comes together to provide enough fun to last until the next big celebration; the Dragon Boat Festival in early June.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spring Festival’s Conclusion: The Lantern Festival

Unveil the enchantment of the Lantern Festival, concluding our Spring Festival series. Explore the cultural nuances, legends, and joyous traditions in this vibrant celebration.

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