2. Eat jiaozi: The traditional food of Lantern Festival is jiaozi. Tangyuan symbolizes reunion and harmony, because "Yuanxiao" is homophonic with "reunion". On this day, families usually get together, taste delicious jiaozi and express their blessings to happy families.
3. solve riddles on the lanterns: solve riddles on the lanterns is a traditional game of Lantern Festival. People will write riddles on paper and then stick them on lanterns or in public places, so that people can guess the answers. This custom symbolizes wisdom and unity, and at the same time promotes people's communication and socialization in entertainment.
4. Dragon and lion dance: Dragon and lion dance is a traditional dance performance in China, which is often performed during the Lantern Festival. Dragon dance symbolizes people's expectation of good luck and prosperity, while lion dance symbolizes exorcism and lion awakening, protecting peace and auspiciousness. This custom has also attracted many tourists and spectators, adding to the lively atmosphere of the festival.
5. Light Kongming Lantern: In some places, people will also light Kongming Lantern on the Lantern Festival. Kongming Lantern is a kind of paper lantern with candles inserted in it. When the candle is lit, Kongming Lantern will rise into the air, symbolizing that people express their wishes and prayers to the sky, hoping to bring good luck and peace.
In my hometown of Hunan Province, Lantern Festival has a unique custom. Lantern Festival celebrations in Hunan usually begin on the 15th day of the first month and last until the 16th day of the first month. On these two days, people will hang red lanterns at their doorsteps or yards, symbolizing auspiciousness and reunion. On the night of Lantern Festival, fireworks parties will be held all over Hunan. People can see colorful fireworks blooming in the night sky, creating a festive atmosphere. At the same time, there will be lion and dragon dances and various traditional music and dance performances.
In addition, the Lantern Festival in Hunan has the custom of solve riddles on the lanterns. During festivals, people will go to solve riddles on the lanterns in parks or streets. Lantern riddles are usually written in the form of couplets, hidden in lanterns or colored lights, and people need to guess the answer. This is an interesting interactive game and an opportunity for people to show their wisdom and communicate.
Hunan's Lantern Festival is also indispensable for Yuanxiao Tangyuan. Yuanxiao Tangyuan is a round cake made of glutinous rice flour, with a soft wax skin on the outside and fillings of various flavors, such as peanuts, red bean paste or fruit. Eating Yuanxiao glutinous rice balls symbolizes the beauty of reunion and family. People will taste delicious food with their families on this day and spend the reunion time.
Abstract: Lantern Festival is one of the important traditional festivals in China, with rich and varied customs. Watching lanterns, eating glutinous rice balls, solve riddles on the lanterns, dragon and lion dancing and lighting lanterns are all representative customs of the Lantern Festival. These customs mean people's pursuit of a better life, reunion and harmony, as well as wisdom, auspiciousness and blessings.