Happy Lantern Festival!
The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the lunar year and marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebration period. Click the red arrows to explore the fun activities that take place during the Lantern Festival!
Lantern Riddles
Riddles are written on decorative lanterns and displayed during the Lantern Festival. Those who figure out the correct answer typically win a prize! Can you answer this riddle?
Hooray! That's correct!
Sorry, that's not the correct answer.
Enjoy some Tāng Yuán
Tāng Yuán(湯圓) is a Chinese dessert traditionally eaten at the Lantern Festival because the pronunciation in Chinese sounds like unity or togetherness. These chewy and sweet rice balls are often filled with black sesame, peanut, or red bean and served in a lightly sweetened soup.
The Lunar Cycle
The first day of the Lunar New Year takes place on the first new moon of the lunar year, while the Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day, which is the first full moon of the lunar year.
With the lunar calendar following the moon cycle, the date for Lunar New Year changes year to year. Usually, it’ll fall between January 21st and February 20th on the western calendar.
Decorate a Sky Lantern
There are many types of lanterns used during Lunar New Year celebrations, hanging lanterns, lanterns for rivers, and in some places, sky lanterns. Sky lanterns are made of thin paper with a small candle which creates heat in the lantern that allows the lantern to float off in the air. People often decorate their lanterns with drawings and write a wish for the new year. Some popular wishes include good health and prosperity for their family members.
Release your Sky Lantern
Historically in Chinese culture, releasing a sky lantern represents good luck and new beginnings because you are letting go of bad luck and making room for new opportunities as the lantern flies away. Traditionally, after lanterns are decorated, they're released and illuminate the sky like stars in the night. Sky lanterns have become less popular now as more sustainable options are available.
