Here is some information about the Lantern Festival in English, including its customs, origins, and legends:
### Lantern Festival (Tangyuan Festival)
**Customs:**
1. **Lantern Display:** People hang various lanterns in their homes and public spaces. These lanterns come in various shapes and sizes, often depicting traditional Chinese motifs or famous landmarks.
2. **Tangyuan Eating:** A sweet rice ball called "tangyuan" is traditionally eaten during the festival. It symbolizes family unity and happiness.
3. **Fireworks and Firecrackers:** Many regions celebrate with fireworks and firecrackers, believed to ward off evil spirits.
4. **Dragon and Lion Dances:** Traditional performances of dragon and lion dances are also common, as they are thought to bring good luck and prosperity.
5. **Family Gatherings:** It's a time for families to reunite and celebrate, often involving games, music, and storytelling.
### Origins:
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, which typically last for 15 days. Its origins can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). One of the earliest records of the festival dates back to the Western Han Dynasty.
### Legends:
**1. The Dragon King's Daughter:**
A popular legend tells of a beautiful princess who was the daughter of the Dragon King. To protect her from the evil spirit that wanted to marry her, the Dragon King ordered her to stay on an island. The princess missed her father's kingdom so much that she requested permission to visit. To keep her safe, the Dragon King transformed her into a dragon. When the evil spirit approached, he was frightened away by the sight of the dragon. The princess then transformed back into a human and was able to return home. To celebrate, the people lit lanterns and set off fireworks, which symbolized the dragon's fear of fire.
**2. The Princess of Lushuihe:**
Another legend involves a princess who lived on the banks of the Lushuihe River. One day, a sea monster appeared and began to harm the villagers. The princess bravely fought the monster and defeated it, thus saving the villagers. To express gratitude, the villagers lit lanterns and held a grand celebration, which eventually evolved into the Lantern Festival.
**3. The God of Wealth:**
According to some traditions, the Lantern Festival also celebrates the God of Wealth, who is believed to bring luck and prosperity. On the night of the festival, people write down their wishes on lanterns and release them into the sky, hoping to attract the God of Wealth's favor.
The Lantern Festival is a vibrant and festive celebration that embodies Chinese culture, history, and tradition.
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