Today is the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
It marks the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations – and it also celebrates family reunions and everyone goes out into the streets to rejoice. It is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. Because in Ancient China, women were not allowed out of the house except for this night, when everyone goes out onto the streets with lit lanterns to socialise with men!!! What?!?!!
Anyway, the main feature of this night is the lighting of lanterns.
But it seems we are more like the women of Ancient China – we’re not allowed out on our own either! LOL!
May’s comment: The Spring Lantern Festival marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
The celebration started more than 2000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty. To celebrate the return of peace after much unrest, Emperor Wen made this a holiday – for all households to light candles and lanterns and for people to go out and celebrate. Thus the Lantern Festival.
As children we were always excited about the type of lanterns we would get – it came in all shapes of animals. And on the 15th night, we would light our candles and walk around the neighbourhood. Sounds more like Halloween to me than Valentine’s Day.
Got the doggies to pose with our rather humble lanterns.
And so we’re in the Year of the Golden Pig.
3 Responses
What cute little munchkins. Jaffa’s face made me laugh, I think she maybe thinking What The!!
Yup! She says – I’m a country dog and we run freely – it dress up and go to restaurants.
Thanks for the history! The doggies are great illustrators of the Chinese New Year!