Lantern Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Here are some facts about its origin and customs in English, along with a legend related to the festival.
**Origin of the Lantern Festival:**
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year celebrations. It is believed that the festival was established to celebrate the completion of agricultural work and to honor the first full moon of the new year. There are several legends about the origin of the festival, but one popular story involves the ancient Chinese hero, Han Xiang, and his wife, Mu Lan.
**Customs of the Lantern Festival:**
- **Lanterns:** People hang colorful lanterns in their homes and on streets to light up the night. These lanterns are made in various shapes and sizes, often depicting symbols of happiness and prosperity.
- **Fireworks:** Fireworks and crackers are also set off to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck.
- **Food:** Mooncakes and sweet rice balls, known as "tangyuan," are traditionally eaten on this day. They symbolize completeness and happiness.
- **Family Gatherings:** Many people spend the festival with their families, as it is an important occasion for reunions.
- **Riddles:** There is a tradition of playing lantern riddles in some areas. These riddles are written on lanterns or papers and displayed publicly for people to solve.
**The Legend of Han Xiang and Mu Lan:**
According to the legend, during the Western Han Dynasty, a monster known as the "Nian" would attack villagers every year on the night of the new year. To protect themselves, villagers lit bonfires and set off crackers to scare away the monster.
Han Xiang, a soldier returning from war, heard about the villagers' plight and decided to fight the Nian. With his bravery, he defeated the monster and saved the village. In gratitude, the villagers held a celebration on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which became the Lantern Festival.
Another story involves the beautiful young girl Mu Lan, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the army to save her father from death. When the war ended, the emperor wanted to give her a medal of honor, but Mu Lan refused, preferring to return to her village. To celebrate her return, her family organized a festival with lanterns and fireworks.
Today, the Lantern Festival is still celebrated across China and in many other East Asian countries, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the hope for a prosperous new year.
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