Tangyuan is round, waxy and elastic in shape, which means reunion and symbolizes family reunion. In addition, the Lantern Festival is also the night of the first full moon after the Spring Festival. Tangyuan also symbolizes a happy reunion, symbolizing the happiness and harmony of the whole family.
In addition, there is a saying that the traditional custom of eating glutinous rice balls originated from folk stories, and it is said that glutinous rice balls appeared in Linchuan Four Dreams written by Liu Yiqing in the Tang Dynasty. In the story, a scholar named Chen Yizhong dreamed on the eve of Lantern Festival. In the dream, he was taken to a mysterious place and saw a group of old people eating glutinous rice balls. The old man told him that eating glutinous rice balls can prevent diseases, and eating glutinous rice balls can also make people clear-headed. After Chen Yizhong woke up, he made dumplings for his relatives and friends to eat according to the old man's instructions.