Blogs
The Lantern Festival
Hot 2 |
Post comment Comment (3 replies)
- Reply sunnyv
- To most people it is Chinese Valentines Day or Yuan Siu Festival instead of Lantern Festival.
This year is ''Double Valentine’s Day'', which occurs once every 19 years. Both Western (Feb 14 2014) and Chinese (15th day of the first lunar calendar). Both Chinese and western Valentines day occurring on the same day. This coincidence is very meaningful and auspicious, especially in this Wood Horse Year which has double spring days. Folks believe that it is very auspicious to marry or give birth this year. The marriage registry is fully booked for this day long ago. The flower shops are selling 101 roses baskets for over Rmb 1,000 each and they are too busy to deliver, so take it away yourself.
Although it is a good day for marriages or engagements, couples may not want to hold a wedding so soon after the Spring festival as friends and relatives may find it troublesome to travel outstation again to attend a wedding.
In the South East Asian countries, during this Yuan Siu festival, the young keep the tradition festival alive by tossing oranges into the sea or lake in hopes of finding a good life partner. They write their names and contact phone numbers on the oranges and quite a few of them manage to find marriage partners.
The Fung Shui experts say that Feb 14 clashes with the Dog year person. Those born under the Dog zodiac must avoid major events such as marriages, starting a new business or moving into a new house on this day. Those whose babies are born on this Feb 14 will grow up to be friendly and have an analytical mind. They are also likely to be smart, intuitive, creative, and helpful by nature. Sounds like me haha.... (excuse my self gratification).
Babies born today will grow up with a strong character and enjoy a good career. They are likely to be jetsetters. With their excellent social skills, they will attract a lot of attention. However, they tend to be hard-headed and cling strongly to their principles. Thus they may have difficulty finding a life partner .... no wonder I still haven't found my love haha... poor me.
Traditionally, the 15th day of the first lunar month is called the Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Festival. according to tradition, at the beginning of a new year when there is a bright full moon, there should be thousands of colourful lanterns dotting the sky for people to enjoy, as families get together to solve the riddles on the lanterns and eat yuan xiao or tang yuan (glutinous rice balls). The custom of eating yuan xiao is said to have originated from the colorful Tang dynasty. The dumplings had sweet or savoury fillings. The sweet fillings were made of walnuts, sesame seeds, osmanthus flowers, rose petals, sweetened tangerine peel and bean paste or jujube paste. The salty version had minced meat, vegetables or a mix of both.
It is important to keep all these traditions and festivals going every year because these festivals keep people together and encourage togetherness.
- Reply Sumingyu
- When the Lantern Festival and the Valentine's Day arrived simultaneously yesterday, many engaged couples rushed to the Civil Affairs Bureau of their locality for marriage registration. First, 2014214 sound like love you forever. Second, the two festivals which meet once every nineteen years symbolize family unity and romantic love. I can't help doubting how this auspicious occasion can ensure the couples' permanent love to each other. Many old couples who have been living faithfully together had no idea of such sort for choosing a special date when they got married. Almost all of them experienced unusual difficulty but they could support mutually instead of separation as often seen today. I think young couples are too impulsive and they should learn from these examples that are adamant and adhere to the traditional values.
sunnyv: To most people it is Chinese Valentines Day or Yuan Siu Festival instead of Lantern Festival.
This year is ''Double Valentine’s Day'', which occurs ...
