The Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, also known as' Shangyuan Festival ', is a traditional Chinese festival. On the Lantern Festival, we all eat dumplings or yuanxiao. Do you know the origin of eating dumplings on the Lantern Festival? Let's take a look at the origin and legend of eating Tangyuan on the Lantern Festival!
The origin of "Yuanxiao"
As a food, Yuanxiao has a long history in China. In the Song Dynasty, a novel food for the Lantern Festival was popular among the people. This kind of food was first called "fuyuanzi" and later called "Yuanxiao". Businessmen also called it "Yuanbao". In ancient times, the price of 'Lantern Festival' was relatively expensive. A poem said: 'distinguished guests hook the curtain to see the Royal Street. The treasures in the city come for a while. The flower rack in front of the curtain has no way, no money, no return. " Northern 'Roll' Lantern Festival, southern 'pack' dumplings, these are two different approaches and tastes of food.
Why do you eat dumplings on the Lantern Festival?
It is a common custom all over the country to eat yuanxiao on the fifteenth day of the first month. According to experts, tangyuan is also known as' tangtuan 'or' Yuanzi 'Tuanzi', and southerners also call it 'Shuiyuan' or 'fuyuanzi'. On the fifteenth day of the first month, almost every family has to eat yuanxiao.
Folklore experts say that when cooking dumplings, because they float on the water after boiling, they are very beautiful, reminiscent of a bright moon hanging in the clouds. The bright moon in the sky and the glutinous rice balls in the bowl symbolize the auspicious reunion. Therefore, eating Tangyuan expresses people's love for family reunion. The survey also shows that Chinese people's inheritance and love of traditional festivals is also a love of Chinese culture. Eat yuanxiao to have a different taste.
In addition, the name of Tangyuan is similar to the sound of "Reunion". It takes the meaning of reunion and symbolizes the reunion, harmony and happiness of the whole family. People also miss their separated relatives and place their good wishes for future life.
The origin and legend of eating dumplings on the Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival, also known as' Shangyuan Festival 'or' Lantern Festival '. According to records, the Lantern Festival appeared in the Han Dynasty. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was known as the three traditional Chinese folk festivals together with the Spring Festival and the Mid Autumn Festival. It has a history of more than 2000 years.
According to legend, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had a favorite minister named Dongfang Shuo. One snowy day, Dongfang Shuo saw a girl named 'Yuanxiao' in the imperial garden, preparing to throw herself into the well. It turned out that since Yuanxiao entered the palace, he could not meet his parents and sister at home. Dongfang Shuo decided to try to get Yuanxiao together with his relatives.
One day, Dongfang Shuo set up a stall for divination on the streets of Chang'an. But everyone gets a sign of 'burning on the 16th of the first month'. For a moment, Chang'an Street caused panic. People asked about ways to solve the disaster. Dongfang Shuo said, "on the evening of the 13th of the first month, the God of fire will send the goddess in red to burn Chang'an city. You can ask the emperor for ways.". He threw down a red post and walked away. The common people picked up the red post and hurriedly reported it to the emperor.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty took a look: 'Chang'an is robbing, the fire burns the Imperial Palace, 15 days of fire, and the flame is red at night'. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty quickly invited Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo said, 'I heard that Huoshen Jun likes Tangyuan best. Doesn't the Lantern Festival in the palace often make you Tangyuan? On the 15th night, you can make dumplings for yuanxiao. Long live, burn incense and offer a confession. It is ordered that every family in the capital make dumplings and worship the God of fire. Then it was told to hang lights on the 15th night and set off firecrackers and fireworks all over the city, like a fire all over the city, so that we can hide from the Jade Emperor. Inform the people outside the city to go to the city to watch the lights on the 15th night and solve the disaster. ". After hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very happy and sent a message to follow suit.
On the 15th day of the first month, the city of Chang'an was decorated with lanterns, and the tourists were bustling and lively. The parents of the palace maid Yuanxiao also took her sister to the city to watch the lanterns. When they saw the palace lamp with the word "Yuanxiao", they shouted in surprise: 'Yuanxiao! Lantern Festival, Yuanxiao heard the cry and finally reunited with his family.
After such a lively night, Chang'an city was really safe. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was so happy that he ordered to make dumplings for the God of fire every 15th day of the first month, and the whole city hung lamps to set off fireworks on the 15th day of the first month. Because the dumplings made from Yuanxiao are the best, people call them Yuanxiao and this day is called yuanxiao Festival.
The custom of eating dumplings on the Lantern Festival was formed in the Song Dynasty. According to records, during the Tang Dynasty, the Lantern Festival ate 'face cocoons' and' round without falling corners'. In the Southern Song Dynasty, 'lactose dumplings' appeared, which should be the predecessor of tangyuan. Zhou Bida's poem "boiling floating dumplings on the Lantern Festival" in the Song Dynasty contains a poem "stars in the dark clouds, beads floating in the muddy water". In the Ming Dynasty, there were more names for "Yuanxiao".