Welcome to our March blog with news from the Claretian China Mission team.

Lantern Festival – February 28, 2010

Enjoying lanterns under the full moon

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March on the Gregorian calendar. This year was on February 28.

As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.

This day's important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha's body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered lanterns to be lit in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among all citizens and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.

In modern times, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited.

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Lantern riddles during Lantern Festival

An international student from India tries to work out
a lantern riddle in Tianjin February 25, 2010.
Riddle solving is beloved by Chinese during the festival.

Local residents read lantern riddles in Shichahai
of Beijing February 25, 2010.

New recruits of Hebei frontier force guess
lantern riddles February 25, 2010.

A traffic policeman helps a pupil with a
lantern riddle in Xi'an of Shaanxi province.