Origins of Lantern Festival

There are many different stories about the origins of the Lantern Festival. The first legend states that all the rulers since the first emperor to unite China dedicated this holiday to Taiyi, the God of Heaven, imploring him for good health and good weather for his people.

The second legend says that Tianguan, the Tao god of good fortune, had his birthday in the first month, on the 15th, and in honor of his propensity for entertainment, that day became a holiday for people to pray to him for good fortune and to attend various amusements.

The third legend says that during the first century, Emperor Mingdi proclaimed a holiday of lanterns to celebrate Buddha's ability to dispel darkness. Another legend is originated from Torch Festival. People in Han use the torch to drive the beast of the field in order to reduce the pest.