The Lantern Festival is a traditional festival in China. The formation of the custom of the Lantern Festival has a long process, which is rooted in the ancient folk custom of turning on lights to pray for blessings. Turning on lanterns to pray for blessings usually starts on the 14th night of the first lunar month to "test the lanterns", and the night of the 15th is the "main lantern". Folks light lanterns, also known as "send lanterns", to carry out sacrifices to gods and pray for blessings.

The introduction of Buddhist culture in the Eastern Han Dynasty also played an important role in forming the customs of the Lantern Festival. During the Yongping period of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, in order to promote Buddhism, Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty ordered that lanterns be lit in palaces and temples on the 15th night of the first lunar month to represent the Buddha. The custom of lanterns gradually spread in China with the expansion of the influence of Buddhist culture and later the addition of Taoist culture.

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it became popular to display lanterns during the Lantern Festival, and Emperor Wu of Liang believed in Buddhism. Five large lanterns. In the Tang Dynasty, cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries became closer, and Buddhism flourished. Officials and common people generally "burned lanterns to worship Buddha" on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Buddhist lanterns became common among the people. From the Tang Dynasty, it became legal to light lanterns during the Lantern Festival.

The historical value of the Lantern Festival

The formation of the Lantern Festival customs has a long process. The introduction of Buddhist culture in the Eastern Han Dynasty played an important role in forming the customs of the Lantern Festival.

During the Yongping reign of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty (AD 58-75), Emperor Ming promoted Buddhism, which coincided with Cai Min's return from India to seek Buddhism. Fifth, monks gather to pay homage to the Buddha's relics, which is an auspicious day to visit the Buddha.

In order to promote Buddhism, Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty ordered that lanterns be lit in palaces and temples on the 15th night of the first lunar month to commemorate the Buddha. With the expansion of the influence of Buddhist culture and the addition of Taoist culture, the custom has gradually spread in China.

Now, with the development of the times, today’s Lantern Festival is moving from family to society. No matter how fireworks have changed, these ancient traditional customs that continue during the Lantern Festival remain unchanged. These elements of traditional culture have always been a part of people's hearts.

Reference for the above content? Baidu Encyclopedia - Lantern Festival