
Happy Lantern Festival to everyone! 'Tis the season of the year when the Chinese community celebrates one of its most cherished traditions that dates back to ancient times.
So Chinese drama stars send their warmest greetings and blessings to their fans to mark the occasion. Bright red colors, lanterns, and tangyuan delicacies swarmed their posts to attract prosperity whole year round.
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Tangyuan is a symbolic delicacy traditionally prepared during the Lantern Festival |
So have you eaten your Tang Yuan? Yeah, us, already done last night! Tang Yuan is one of the traditional delicacies prepared for the Lantern Festival. It is made of glutinous rice flour formed in balls and usually has stuffing.
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Yang Mi and Yang Zi eating a bowl of Tangyuan |
The Lantern Festival, also called Shangyuan Festival, is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon.
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Dilraba Dilmurat |
Usually falling in February or early March on the Gregorian calendar, this year it falls on February 24. It marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
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Cheng Yi's studio shares new snaps to greet his fans a Happy Lantern Festival
 Ao Ruipeng and Bai Lu from Moonlight Mystique |
As early as the Western Han dynasty (3rd Century), it had become a festival with great significance. On the night of the Chinese Lantern Festival, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them.
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Johnny Huang eating Tangyuan |
People eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan (to symbolize abundance, happy reunion, and togetherness), watch dragon and lion dances, and set off fireworks.
Chinese Lantern Festival Facts from China Highlights:
- Greetings: Happy Lantern Festival! 元宵节快乐!Yuánxiāojié kuàilè! /ywen-sshyaoww-jyeah kwhy-luh/
- Popular Chinese name: 元宵节 Yuánxiāojié /ywen-sshyaoww jyeah/ 'first night festival'
- Alternative Chinese name: 上元节 Shàngyuánjié /shung-ywen-jyeah/ 'first first festival'
- Date: Lunar calendar month 1 day 15 (This year falls on February 24, 2024)
- Importance: marks the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period
- Celebrations: enjoying lanterns, lantern riddles, eating tangyuan a.k.a. yuanxiao (ball dumplings in soup), lion dances, dragon dances, etc.
- History: about 2,000 years
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Hu Ge (Blossoms Shanghai) |
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Cheng Yi for the Lantern Festival |
The Significance of the Chinese Lantern Festival
The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the final day of the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year celebrations.
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Neo Hou and Tan Songyun |
The lanterns symbolize people letting go of the past year and welcoming the new year with good fortune. Lighting and appreciating lanterns is the main activity.
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Chen Xingxu sends greetings for the Lantern Festival |
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Ren Jialun |
Here are some sweet greetings during the Lantern Festival:
"Lantern Festival brings a splendid sight, with the moon charming and lanterns bright. Families sit together with lanterns nearby, tasting sweet rice balls, gathered under one roof. Wishing you an interesting and hopeful life, embracing your passions wholeheartedly!"
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Persimmon Tangyuan shared by Yu Shi on Weibo |
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A bowl of tasty Tangyuan shared by Hu Yitian
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As sweet rice balls are served, good fortune follows. Lanterns are hung, bringing continuous happiness. Lanterns spin, leading everything to go smoothly. Fireworks rise, bringing great fortune. Blessings are sent, opening smiles of happiness. On this auspicious Lantern Festival, may blessings and prosperity accompany you.
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Wang Xing Yue and Lu Yuxiao and the cast of Perfect Match sending good fortune wishes |
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Xing Fei and Ren Jialun from Burning Flames |
On the Lantern Festival, watch the full moon, and eat a bowl of sweet rice balls. Wishing you a year ahead filled with warm springs and beautiful days.
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Zhu Yilong |
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Wang Churan |
As the moon shines full on the 15th, the festive mood deepens and warms the heart. With lanterns blooming like flowers and midnight fireworks dazzling, the flickering glow of lanterns shines, and loud shouts of riddle guesses fill the air. May your life be as round and fulfilling as sweet rice balls, with sweetness in your heart and a family reunion bringing happiness and contentment!
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Ren Min and Zhang Wanyi from The Rise of Ning |
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Wang Jinyan and Wang Xing Yue from The Double |
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Li Hongyi and Lu Tingyu from Flying Up Disturb |
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Zhang Ruoyun |
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Liu Yuning |
The trend of Persimmon Tangyuan among Chinese celebrities! 🍑
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Persimmon Tangyuan |
Looks like there's a new trend of Tangyuan recipes this Year of the Dragon - sweet balls are formed into Persimmons! 🍑
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Persimmon Tangyuan |
Persimmon fruit is considered a fortune fruit. And China is the world's largest producer of persimmon fruits! About 75% of the world's production of persimmon comes from China!
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Wa Er |
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Chen Duling |
Look at these persimmon tangyuan of C-Drama stars! So yummy and scrumptious! Drooling here!
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Michelle Chen |
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Tian Xiwei |
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Zhang Xincheng |
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Chen Duling |
However, other Chinese celebrities just stick to the traditional Tangyuan recipes, just white or yellow, to celebrate Lantern Festival.
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Xu Kai |
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Yang Yang |
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Cheng Yi |
Wishing everyone the happiest Lantern Festival! May your home be filled with peace, love, unity, and the merriest reunion with your family and friends!
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