Asian Current

Yuan Xiao Lantern Festival

The Yuan Xiao Lantern festival takes place under a full moon, marking the end of the Chinese New Year season. This 2000-year-old Chinese tradition closes out the Lunar New Year and is observed on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese Lunar calendar although it may change each year. Surprisingly enough, it has roots in both Hinduism and Buddhism, and is celebrated in countries like China, Taiwan and Thailand as also among Asian immigrant communities all over the world. Apart from its festive outlook, Yuan Xiao also marks business and other closings, depending on the region where it is practiced.

Yuan Xiao (Teng Chieh in proper Chinese) feature fireworks and folk dancing when hundreds of people go out in the streets with festive lanterns of every size and shape, hanging them in homes as well as carrying them to parks and temples. Lanterns usually appear in the shape of dragons, birds or exotic animals. Also, people write propitious phrases and axioms on the lanterns to ward off evil spirits and welcome the good ones. Some go to the extent of decorating their lanterns with riddles and even award prizes to those who can solve them. So it becomes a contest as well.

A sense of gayety and exhilaration overwhelms the festivities and everyone seems to enjoy the event. The light given off by the lanterns are believed to usher celestial figures down to the earth for the people to see them. Though it is more prevalent in the oriental countries, but it is also observed in India. Somewhat similar methods are adapted to attract heavenly bodies. Believers put lighted candles or tiny electric bulbs on rooftops (Akash Pradeep) at night during certain times of the year.

Another significant part of the Yuan Xiao festival features a special kind of food called Yuanxiao. Sticky rice flour is made into stuffed dumplings to be taken by all, and it symbolizes family unity, prosperity and happiness. It is believed that the custom of eating Yuanxiao originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the 4th century that ultimately became popular during the Tang and Song periods. The fillings inside the dumplings or Yuanxiao are either sweet or salty. While sweet fillings are made of sugar, walnuts, sesame, osmanthus flowers, rose petals, sweetened tangerine peels or jujube paste, the salty variety is filled with meat or vegetables or both. Whatever the filling, it is a ceremonious eating where everyone must have a bite.

It may be relevant to mention here that the Lantern festival has origins in the belief of Brahmanism, a branch of the Hindu religion, and is thought to have evolved during the 1st century as a ceremonial observance of the edicts of Lord Buddha. However, the Chinese have celebrated the Lantern Festival since the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E - 221 A.D.).