Sihai network

The origin of guessing lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival

guessing lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival adds interest to the lively festive atmosphere. Guessing lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival has existed since ancient times. It is not only interesting, but also shows the wisdom and talent of ancient people. So why do you guess lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival? What are the legends of guessing lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival? This article brings you two legends about lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival. Let's have a look.

The origin and legend of lantern riddles on the Lantern Festival

1. Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty commemorated 'Ping Lu'

The Lantern Festival was set up by Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty to commemorate 'Pinglu'. After the death of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Ying, the son of empress Lu, ascended the throne and became emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Hui was cowardly and indecisive, and the power gradually fell into empress Lu's hands. After the death of emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty, empress Lu took charge of the court. Turning Liu's world into Lu's world, the old courtiers and Liu's clan were deeply indignant, but they were afraid of empress Lu's cruelty, so they dared to be angry.

After empress Lu died of illness, all LV were in panic and worried about being hurt and excluded. Therefore, they gathered secretly at the home of the upper general LV Lu to discuss the rebellion, so as to completely seize the territory of Liu family.

The matter was heard by Liu Bao, the king of Qi, who decided to fight against Zhulu in order to keep Liu's territory. Then, together with founding ministers Zhou Bo and Chen Ping, they designed to eradicate Lu Lu, and finally completely put down the 'chaos of Zhu Lu'.

After the uprising, the ministers established Liu Heng, Liu Bang's second son, and ascended the throne as Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. Deeply aware that peace and prosperity were hard won, Emperor Wen designated the 15th of the first month, which calmed down the rebellion, as a festival to share happiness with the people. Every family in the capital was decorated with lanterns to celebrate. Since then, the 15th day of the first month has become a folk festival celebrated all over the world -- 'Lantern Festival'.

2. Dongfang Shuo and Yuanxiao girl

This legend is related to the custom of eating Yuanxiao: it is said that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had a favorite minister named Dongfang Shuo. He was kind and funny. One winter, after several days of heavy snow, Dongfang Shuo went to the imperial garden to fold plum blossoms for Emperor Wu. As soon as I entered the garden gate, I found a maid in waiting in tears ready to throw herself into the well. Dongfang Shuo hurried to the rescue and asked why she committed suicide. I learned that the maid of honor was named yuanxiao, and there were parents and a sister at home. After she entered the palace, she never met her family again. When winter goes and spring comes, I miss my family more than usual. I think it's better to die if I can't be filial to my parents. After hearing this, Dongfang Shuo felt sympathy and assured her that he would try to give her a chance to reunite with her family.

So one day, Dongfang Shuo set up a divination stall on the side of Chang'an Street. Many people are vying with him for divination. Unexpectedly, everyone's share of the sign is the sign of "fire burning on the 16th of the first month". Then there was a great panic in Chang'an city. People prayed for a solution to the disaster. Dongfang Shuo said, "on the evening of the 13th of the first month, the God of fire will send a goddess in red to earth. She is the messenger who burns Chang'an according to the will of the Jade Emperor. I'll leave the copied verse to you so that the current emperor can think of a way." Then he threw down a red post and walked away. The common people took the red post and rushed to the palace to report to the emperor.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty took a look and saw that it was impressively written: 'Chang'an is robbing, the fire burns the Imperial Palace, 15 days of fire, the flame is red and late at night'. He was shocked and quickly summoned the resourceful Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo pretended to think about it and said, "it is said that the God of fire likes to eat dumplings most. The palace maid Yuanxiao often makes dumplings for you. On the evening of the 15th, you can make dumplings for yuanxiao. You burn incense and give a confession, and order everyone in Chang'an city to make dumplings and worship the God of fire together. He also ordered his subjects to hang up lights on the 15th night and set off firecrackers and fireworks all over the city, like a fire all over the city, so that they could hide from the Jade Emperor. In addition, inform the people outside the city that they can go to the city to watch the lights on the 15th night, and they can eliminate disasters and solve problems if they are mixed with the crowd. ". After hearing this, Emperor Wu was very happy and sent a message to follow Dongfang Shuo's method.

On the 15th of the first month, the city of Chang'an was decorated with lanterns and fireworks, and the tourists were bustling and very lively. Yuanxiao's parents also took their sister to the city to watch the lanterns. When they saw the big palace lamp with 'Yuanxiao' written on it, they shouted in surprise: 'Yuanxiao! Lantern Festival, The Lantern Festival, which had been waiting for a long time, heard the cry and rushed to be reunited with his relatives.

After such a lively night, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty saw that Chang'an city was indeed safe and happy, so he ordered to make dumplings for the God of fire on the 15th of the first month of each year, and the whole city hung lights to set off fireworks. Because the gongnv Yuanxiao makes the best dumplings, people call this day's dumplings Yuanxiao and this day the Lantern Festival.