The Lantern Festival, also known as the "Shangyuan Festival," Spring Lantern Festival, is a traditional Chinese Han folk holiday. The first month of the lunar calendar is called the "Yuan" month, and the ancient people referred to night as "xiao." Since the 15th day of the first month is the first full moon night of the year, it is called the Yuanxiao Festival. It is also known as the Little First Month, Yuanxi, or Lantern Festival, marking the first major festival after the Spring Festival. Due to China's vast territory and long history, Lantern Festival customs vary across the country. However, eating yuanxiao (rice balls), appreciating lanterns, dragon dancing, and lion dancing are some of the important folk customs associated with the Lantern Festival.
Every 15th day of the first lunar month, just after the Spring Festival, comes one of the traditional Chinese Han festivals—the Lantern Festival. The first month in the lunar calendar is called the "Yuan" month, and since ancient times, night has been referred to as "xiao," hence the name Yuanxiao Festival for the 15th day of the first month. This is the first full moon night of the year, symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle and the return of spring. People celebrate this occasion, continuing the celebration of the New Year. The Lantern Festival is also called the "Shangyuan Festival."
According to Chinese tradition, on this night when the bright moon hangs high in the sky, people light up thousands of colorful lanterns to celebrate. They go out to admire the moon, light fireworks, guess lantern riddles, eat yuanxiao together, gather with their families, and celebrate the festival joyfully.
"Yuanxiao" as a food has a long history in China. During the Song Dynasty, a novel food item became popular among the common people during the Lantern Festival. This food was initially called "floating yuanzi" and later renamed "yuanxiao." Businessmen gave it an elegant name—"yuanbao." In ancient times, "yuanxiao" was relatively expensive. A poem says: "Noble guests draw back the curtain to look at the imperial street, rare treasures come all at once, unable to walk past the flower stands in front of the curtain, they cannot return without money."
On the 15th day of the first lunar month, people eat yuanxiao, which is also called tangyuan. Made with fillings such as white sugar, rose petals, sesame seeds, red bean paste, osmanthus, walnut kernels, fruit kernels, and jujube paste, these glutinous rice flour balls are shaped into circles. They can be savory or sweet, with various flavors. They can be boiled in water, fried in oil, or steamed, symbolizing family reunion and completeness. In Shaanxi Province, tangyuan is not wrapped but "rolled" in glutinous rice flour, either boiled or fried, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
Links provided relate to further information and local resources related to the festival and cultural practices.