According to the ancient custom of China, Yuan refers to the full moon, and there are so-called "three yuan" in a year, that is, the fifteenth day of the first month is called Shang Yuan, the fifteenth day of July is called Zhong Yuan, and the fifteenth day of October is called Xia Yuan. Therefore, the Lantern Festival is also called "Shangyuan Festival".

There is also a saying that the Lantern Festival originated from the Torch Festival. In the Han dynasty, people held torches in rural fields to drive away insects and wild animals, hoping to reduce pests and pray for a bumper harvest. Since the Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties, it has been in full swing. Tens of thousands of people took part in the song and dance, which lasted from dusk on the first day to dark the next day.

To this day, people in some areas in southwest China still use reeds or branches as torches on the 15th day of the first month, and hold high in groups to dance in fields or grain drying fields.