Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Lantern Festival , the end of Chinese New Year Festival , let us start

Yesterday , is the 15th of First month of Lunar Calendar Year ( 'yuan yue' ) of 2009 , the Lantern Festival day , also it is regarded as the official end of Chinese New Year .

On the streets , you can see people pull up Lanterns , big celebration setup, playing riddles. In Bailuzhou Park ,Xiamen, large amount of people were gathering together watching the lantern lights or just be there.

At home families members eat yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) and get all their families united in the joyful atmosphere. ...

But what is the earliest origins of Lantern Festival?

One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.( from wikipedia.com)
Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of entertainment. So followers prepare various kinds of activities during which they pray for good fortune.( from wikipedia.com)

So , the new year begins , lots of business people return to their positions to make money , lets bless the year of 2009 a real wonderful return of prosperity.

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