The Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Festival or Shang Yuan Festival in China or Chap Goh Meh Festival in Indonesia,Malaysia and Singapore or”TétThugng Nguyen”or”Tet Nguyên Tiêu”in Vietnam,is afestival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month inthe lunisolar year in the Chinese calendar,the last day ofthe lunisolar Chinese New Year celebration.It is not to beconfused with the Mid-Autumn Festival,which is sometimesalso known as the”Lantern Festival”in locations suchIOEas Singapore and Malaysia.During the Lantern Festival,children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanternsand solving riddles on the lanterns(caidengmi).It officially endsthe Chinese New Year celebrations.
In ancient times,the lanterns were fairly simple,foronly the emperor and noblemen had large ornate ones;inmodern times,lanterns have been embellished with manycomplex designs.For example,lanterns are now often made in shapes of animals.
In some region and countries,this festival is also regarded as the Chinese version OlSt.Valentine’s Day,a day celebrating love and affection between lovers in Chinese tradillonand culture.
The first month of the Chinese calendar is called yuan month,and in ancient times peoprccalled night xiao;therefore,the day is called Yuan Xiao Festival in China.The fifteenth daythe first night to see a full moon in that lunar year.According to Chinese tradition,at the vcbeginning of a new year,when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky,there shouid Drthousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate.At this time,people will t)~solve puzzles on lanterns,eat yuanxiao and enjoy a family reunion.
