Lantern Festival [yuán xiāo]

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is called Shangyuan Festival. This night is called "Lantern Festival". Also known as "Yuan Ye" and "Yuan Xi".

Yuanxiao is one of the traditional snacks of the Chinese Han people and is a festive food custom. The north "rolls" Yuanxiao, and the south "makes" glutinous rice balls. These are two foods with different preparations and tastes.

At first, people called this food "Fuyuanzi", and later called "Tangtuan" or "Tangyuan". These names are similar in pronunciation to the word "Reunion", which means reunion and symbolizes the reunion of the whole family. Round, harmonious and happy, people also use this to remember their departed relatives and place their good expectations for future life.

Eating Yuanxiao symbolizes family reunion like the full moon, and expresses people’s good wishes for future life.