The Yuanxiao Festival is on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. It is closely related to the Spring Festival. In the old days, people began preparing for the Spring Festival about 20 days before. However, the Yuanxiao Festival marks the end of the New Year celebrations. And after the Yuanxiao Festival, everything returns to normal.
农历正月十五日是元宵节，紧随春节之后。古时候，人们提前二十天为“春节”做准备，然而元宵节，元宵节为春节画上了句号，元宵之后，一切归于平常。
Yuan literally means first, while Xiao refers to night. Yuanxiao is the first time when we see the full moon in the New year. It is traditionally a time for family reunion. The most prominent activity of the Yuanxiao Festival is the display of all types of beautiful lanterns. So the occasion is also called the Lantern Festival.
“元”是首座的意思，“霄”指夜晚。元宵就是新年首个夜晚，元宵节是家庭团聚的传统佳节，最隆重的活动就是展挂各种各样美丽的灯笼，故此，元宵节又叫“灯节”。
There are many beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival. But one thing for sure is that it had something to do with religious worship.
关于元宵节的起源之说多种多样，但是最确切的一种说它跟宗教信仰有关。
One legend tells that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his back and call. It was him who decided when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor united the country, all subsequent emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and to his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he proclaimed it one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night.
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