When is the Chinese Lantern Festival and what is it?

The Chinese Lantern Festival celebrates the traditional end of Chinese New Year
Also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, the event occurs in March each year
The history of the Chinese Lantern Festival dates way back to the Han Dynasty

The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the traditional end of the Chinese New Year. More recently, it's become known as the Chinese version of Valentine's Day in some countries.

The Chinese Lantern : 元宵节

本身是庆祝春节的结束，目前在不少国家被当作中国的情人节看待了。

Also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, people traditionally go out to look at the moon on this day, send up flying lanterns, have a meal and enjoy time outdoors with family and friends.

flying lanterns :孔明灯

Here is all the information about the 2018 Chinese Lantern Festival, including when it is, what it is, its history and how it's celebrated.

下面是关于元宵节的一些介绍

Chinese Lantern Festival marks the traditional end of Chinese New Year. More recently, it's become known as the Chinese version of Valentine's Day in some countries

When is the Chinese Lantern Festival 2018?

The Chinese Lantern Festival will take place on Friday, March 2. The festival traditionally takes place on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

What is the Chinese Lantern Festival?

The festival, also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, traditionally marks the last day of Chinese New Year festivities.

Paper lanterns are flown and paraded through the streets by children to symbolize the letting go of one's past self. In recent years, it has become commercialized as the Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia.

let go of one's past self : 和过去的自己告别。例如：Let Go Of Someone You Love：有一种爱叫做放手？

History of the Chinese Lantern Festival

The history of the Chinese Lantern Festival dates back more than 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty.

元宵节可以追溯至秦汉时期

At the time, Buddhism was growing in popularity in China. Emperor Ming of Han, a supporter of Buddhism, noticed that the Buddhist monks lit lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Ming ordered all temples, homes and the imperial palaces to light lanterns on that particular evening, starting a folk custom that's lasted for centuries.

一种说法是，在汉朝佛教非常流行，而汉明帝笃信佛法，他注意到僧人们在正月十五那天有点灯供佛的习俗，从此民间开始效仿。

How is the Chinese Lantern Festival celebrated?

The event is celebrated with lantern displays around town centers and temples. Light lanterns are also displayed around houses while children carry paper lanterns through the streets at night.

Revelers will also send up flying lanterns towards the sky at night and spend time with their friends and family.

Setting off fireworks, guessing riddles written on lanterns and dragon dances are also common celebrations for the event.

set off fireworks 放烟花

guess riddles on lanterns : 猜灯谜

dragon dace :舞龙

When is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year 2018 begins on Friday, February 16. The exact date of the event changes every year and usually falls on a new full moon between January 21 and February 20.