中英雙語話中國民風民俗 第152期:燈籠展的起源

The Origin of Lantern Show

燈籠展的起源

Lantern show is the major folk activity of Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie,which falls on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. The name derives itself from the fact that the first lunar month is called yuan month and in the ancient times people called night xiao. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuanxiao Festival in China. According to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year,when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky,there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. At this time,peoplewill try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (sticky rice ball with sweet stuffs) and get all their families united in the joyful atmosphere. Compared with the Spring Festival,which emphasizes family reunion,Lantern Festival is an occasion of entertainment.

燈籠展是元宵節的主要民俗活動，它落在中國農曆新年的第一個月的第15日。這個名字來源於農曆正月被稱爲元月，在古代人們稱夜宵。第15日是第一天能看到滿月的晚上。所以在中國這一天也被稱爲元宵節。根據中國的傳統，在新的一年剛開始的時候，當明亮的圓月掛在天空中，應該有成千上萬只五顏六色的燈籠掛出來供人欣賞。在這個時候，人們會猜燈謎，吃元宵（甜糯米球），並和他們的所有家庭人在歡樂的氣氛裏團聚。跟春節相比起來，春節強調家庭團聚，而元宵節則是娛樂的好機會。