History

• The Lantern Festival began during the Han Dynasty.chinese lion image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
  
  There are conflicting stories about the origins of the festival, from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, according to the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco relates one tale about the Jade Emperor's anger over the killing of his pet goose; the townspeople filled the streets with lanterns so that the emperor thought the town was on fire and was satisfied that his pet had already been avenged. The festival has been celebrated in China since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.--220 A.D.).
  
  

Date

• The Lantern Festival falls on the first full moon after the Chinese New Year.yellow chinese lanterns image by Paul O"Hearn from Fotolia.com
  
  The Lantern Festival is the 15th day of the first lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar, falling on variable dates between mid-February and early March. Because the new year is based on lunar cycles, this date marks the first full moon of the new year.
  
  

Activities

• Elaborate lanterns represent animals and mythical creatures.chinese lantern image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
  
  The most obvious way to celebrate the Lantern Festival is by hanging lanterns. Alongside traditional round lanterns are those shaped like animals, often depicting Chinese myths and the zodiac. Many lanterns have riddles printed on them for people to guess, a tradition dating to the Song Dynasty (960--1279 A.D.).
  
  

Food

• Tang yuan are a favorite treat during the Lantern Festival.kn??del image by Silvia Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
  
  The delicacy most associated with the Lantern Festival is the dumpling known as tang yuan or yuan xiao---their round shape symbolizes unity. These dumplings are made of glutinous rice flour and typically stuffed with walnuts, tangerine peel, black sesame paste, rose petals, minced meat or vegetables.
  
  

Changes

• The number and complexity of festive lanterns have grown over time.Goldfish Lanterns image by Toronto Canada from Fotolia.com
  
  The Lantern Festival was once the only day of the year when single women could travel in public unchaperoned; nowadays, couples play matchmaking games using lanterns. The lanterns have changed as well over the years, becoming so numerous and elaborate that the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco contends they "can put even the most garish American Christmas decorations to shame."