Historical Background
The Lantern Festival (traditional Chinese: 元宵節; simplified Chinese: 元宵节; pinyin: Yuánxiāo jié), also known as Shangyuan Festival (traditional Chinese: 上元節; simplified Chinese: 上元节; pinyin: Shàngyuán jié) and Cap Go Meh (Chinese: 十五暝; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Cha̍p-gō͘-mê), is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar. This day typically falls in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar and signifies the conclusion of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The festival's roots can be traced back more than 2,000 years, with its significance established as early as the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 25).
The origins of the Lantern Festival are steeped in various legends and historical accounts. One widely accepted origin story attributes the festival to Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han dynasty, an ardent supporter of Buddhism. Noticing that Buddhist monks would light lanterns to honor the Buddha on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month, Emperor Ming ordered all households, temples, and the imperial palace to light lanterns on this night, thus incorporating the practice into popular culture.
Another belief connects the festival to the ancient practice of celebrating the diminishing darkness of winter and the ability to navigate at night using lanterns. During the Han dynasty, the festival was also associated with Ti Yin, the deity of the North Star. It was believed that this deity influenced the festival's timing and rituals.
One legend suggests that the Lantern Festival was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven, who controlled the human world's destiny and commanded sixteen dragons to inflict natural disasters upon humans. Beginning with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, emperors would hold elaborate ceremonies annually to pray for favorable weather and good health. Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty later emphasized this celebration, proclaiming it a major event lasting throughout the night.
Palace acrobatics, © 由未知, via Wikipedia
The festival also has ties to Taoism. Tianguan, the Taoist deity of good fortune, is celebrated on his birthday, which falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month. Followers prepare various activities and entertainment to please Tianguan and pray for good fortune.
Various legends further enrich the cultural tapestry of the Lantern Festival. One popular story recounts the tale of a beautiful crane from heaven killed by villagers, inciting the Jade Emperor's wrath. To avoid his fiery retribution, villagers were advised to hang red lanterns, set bonfires, and explode firecrackers, creating the illusion that their village was already burning. This deception saved the village, and the practice became an annual tradition.
Another story involves a maid named Yuan-Xiao during the Han dynasty. An adviser named Dongfang Shuo helped Yuan-Xiao reunite with her family by staging a mock decree from the God of Fire predicting a calamitous fire. The emperor ordered everyone to hang red lanterns and prepare sweet dumplings (tangyuan) to appease the deity, leading to a city-wide celebration that became known as the Yuan-Xiao Festival.
The Lantern Festival has evolved over centuries, incorporating various customs and traditions. Traditionally, children carry paper lanterns at night and solve riddles written on them (猜燈謎; cāidēngmí). In ancient times, lanterns were simple, but today they are often elaborately designed, sometimes in the shape of animals, symbolizing letting go of the past and embracing new beginnings. Red lanterns are predominant, symbolizing good fortune. This celebration distinct from the Mid-Autumn Festival, has also gained popularity in Western countries, with events like the Water Lantern Festival in the United States. The festival continues to be a vibrant and culturally significant event, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and the beginning of a new year in the Chinese Zodiac.
Scene of the Lantern Festival in the Qing Dynasty, © 由未知 , via Wikipedia
Themes and Symbols in the Art of the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is rich with themes and symbols that reflect its deep cultural significance and historical roots. These themes have evolved over centuries, incorporating elements of tradition, community, and family unity.
Tradition and Love: Historically, the Lantern Festival was an occasion for young people to find love. In the early days, they would be chaperoned through the streets, with matchmakers busy pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbols of good luck and hope. While this romantic aspect has waned in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, it remains a charming part of the festival's history.
Tangyuan and Yuanxiao: A central culinary symbol of the Lantern Festival is the glutinous rice ball, known as tangyuan (湯圓) in Southern China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, and yuanxiao (元宵) in Northern China. These rice balls, filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or peanut butter, symbolize family togetherness. The round shape of tangyuan and yuanxiao, as well as the bowls in which they are served, represents unity and harmony. Despite differences in preparation methods, both symbolize happiness and luck in the new year.
Lantern Displays: The tradition of displaying lanterns dates back to the Sui dynasty in the sixth century. By the Tang dynasty, the displays became grander and the curfew was lifted, allowing people to enjoy the lanterns day and night. Today, cities across China hold grand lantern fairs, with Chengdu’s Culture Park being a notable example. Modern lanterns include electric and neon designs alongside traditional paper or wooden ones, highlighting the festival's blend of historical and contemporary elements.
Festivities and Performances: The Lantern Festival is marked by vibrant performances such as lion dances, dragon dances, stilt walking, and riddle games. These activities are not just entertainment; they are imbued with symbolic meaning. The lion symbolizes courage and strength, while the dragon represents luck. Stilt walking, a traditional folk art, adds a carnival-like atmosphere to the celebrations. Riddle guessing, a practice dating back to the Song dynasty, engages participants in intellectual games, with riddles often derived from classical literature and folklore.
Cultural Significance of Lantern Riddles: Lantern riddles (猜燈謎) are a significant part of the festival. Participants solve riddles pasted on lanterns, a tradition believed to have started during the Northern Song dynasty. The themes of these riddles range from classical texts to everyday life, and those who solve them correctly receive rewards, enhancing the festive spirit and community interaction.
Unique Regional Celebrations: The festival's celebration varies widely across regions. In Hebei’s Nuanquan town, for instance, residents throw molten iron against cold stone walls to create spectacular “firework” shows, a tradition known as dashuhua or da tie hua. In Taiwan, the Beehive Fireworks Festival in Yanshui involves launching thousands of small rockets in dramatic displays. Malaysia emphasizes matchmaking, with single women tossing tangerines into rivers to pray for good marriages.
Lantern Festival in Contemporary Art
The Lantern Festival has not only preserved its historical and cultural traditions but has also found a vibrant expression in modern art. This integration of contemporary creativity with ancient customs showcases the festival's enduring relevance and adaptability.
Contemporary Lantern Designs: Modern artists have taken the traditional lantern and transformed it into a canvas for innovation. While traditional lanterns are typically made from paper and wood, contemporary designs often incorporate materials such as plastic, glass, and metal. These modern lanterns may feature intricate patterns, elaborate shapes, and vibrant colors, often illuminated by LED lights instead of traditional candles.
Qinhuai Lantern Fair in Nanjing Fuzimiao on Lantern Festival, © 由Jack No1, via Wikipedia
Public Art Installations: Cities across China and other parts of the world celebrate the Lantern Festival with large-scale public art installations. These installations often include towering lantern sculptures, interactive light displays, and multimedia projections. In cities like Shanghai and Beijing, renowned artists collaborate with local governments to create spectacular light festivals that draw millions of visitors.
Thematic Art Exhibitions: Art galleries and cultural centers frequently host thematic exhibitions during the Lantern Festival. These exhibitions explore the festival’s history, symbolism, and its influence on contemporary art. Artists create works inspired by the lantern’s motifs, the festival’s legends, and its cultural significance.
International Influence: The Lantern Festival has inspired artists worldwide, leading to international art projects and collaborations. For example, the Water Lantern Festival in the United States incorporates elements of the traditional Chinese festival with local artistic expressions. Similarly, international artists participate in lantern festivals in cities like Sydney, London, and Vancouver, bringing a global perspective to the ancient celebration.
Patrice Fouchard, La Nuit des Lanternes, 2023
One notable example is the work of Patrice Fouchard, a French painter whose painting La Nuit des Lanternes (2023) draws inspiration from the festival. His depiction captures the enchanting spectacle of floating lanterns, a tradition originating from ancient Asia. Traditionally crafted from candles and paper or woven lotus or banana leaves, these lanterns are released individually onto rivers, lakes, or seas. They serve various purposes, including as symbols of good luck, offerings for traditional or religious ceremonies, and guides for the souls of the departed to the spirit world. Fouchard's painting reflects the universal fascination with the beauty and symbolism of lanterns, transcending cultural boundaries to evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation.
Digital and Interactive Art: With advancements in technology, the Lantern Festival has embraced digital and interactive art forms. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences allow people to engage with the festival in innovative ways. Digital art installations and interactive displays enable visitors to create their own virtual lanterns, solve digital riddles, and explore virtual environments inspired by the festival’s themes.
The Lantern Festival, deeply rooted in Chinese history and culture, has evolved over millennia into a vibrant celebration that transcends borders and inspires creativity worldwide. From its ancient origins, steeped in legends and rituals, to its modern-day manifestations in contemporary art, the festival continues to captivate hearts and minds. Through lantern displays, culinary traditions, and cultural performances, the festival embodies themes of unity, hope, and renewal. As artists across the globe draw inspiration from its timeless symbolism, the Lantern Festival serves as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the universal language of art. Whether through traditional paper lanterns or innovative digital installations, the festival's influence knows no bounds, fostering connections and sharing cultural heritage with audiences around the world.
Selena Mattei