作为春节的收官之节，元宵节又称“上元节”“灯节”，是中国人用灯火寄托期许、用民俗传递温情的重要时刻，藏着东方文化中对圆满的极致追求，也藏着跨越千年的民俗智慧。

As the concluding festival of the Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival also known as the "Shangyuan Festival" or "Lantern Festival", it is an important moment for the Chinese people to place expectations with lanterns and convey warmth through folk customs, embodying the ultimate pursuit of completeness in oriental culture and folk wisdom spanning thousands of years.

什么是元宵节？

What is the Lantern Festival?

元宵节定于农历正月十五，是一年中第一个月圆之夜，“元”为初始、“宵”为夜晚，寓意“一元复始、万象更新”。2026年的元宵节是3月4日，恰逢丙午马年新春之际，此时春回大地、灯火通明，人们以赏灯、闹灯等习俗，为春节画上圆满句号，也寄托对新一年的美好期许。

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the first full moon night of the year. "Yuan" means the beginning, and "Xiao" means night, symbolizing "a new start and all things renewing". In 2026, it falls on March 4th, right in the middle of the Bingwu Year of the Horse. At this time, spring returns to the earth and lanterns are brightly lit. People celebrate with customs such as viewing and enjoying lanterns, drawing a perfect end to the Spring Festival and embodying good wishes for the new year.

其起源可追溯至汉代，最初为祭祀祈福的仪式，历经千年演变，逐渐发展为集赏灯、品食、民俗表演于一体的民俗盛宴。古人称元宵节为“上元”，与七月十五“中元”、十月十五“下元”并称“三元”，分别对应天、地、水三官的诞辰，三官分别掌管天、地、水，上元节天官赐福，这也是元宵节祈福习俗的重要起源之一，是传统文化中“天人共生”理念的生动体现。

Originating in the Han Dynasty, it initially was a ritual of sacrifice and prayer. After thousands of years of evolution, it has developed into a folk feast integrating lantern viewing, food tasting and folk performances. The ancients called the Lantern Festival "Shangyuan", which, together with "Zhongyuan" (15th day of the 7th lunar month) and "Xiayuan" (15th day of the 10th lunar month), is known as the "Three Yuans". They correspond to the birthdays of the three gods of heaven, earth and water respectively. The Three Gods are in charge of heaven, earth and water respectively, and the Shangyuan Festival is a time when the God of Heaven bestows blessings, which is also an important origin of the prayer customs during the Lantern Festival, vividly reflecting the concept of "harmonious coexistence between humans and nature" in traditional culture.

元宵民俗：一口圆满，满目欢喜

Lantern Festival Traditions: A Bite of Completeness, Eyes Full of Joy

1. 赏灯、闹灯（Viewing and Celebrating with Lanterns）—— 灯影缀满元宵夜

赏灯是元宵节的核心习俗，每逢元宵，各地街巷、公园都会挂满形态各异的灯笼，灯火璀璨、暖意融融。灯笼的样式繁多，有传统的宫灯、兔子灯、莲花灯，也有融入现代元素的创意灯笼，灯上常绘制山水、花鸟、民俗故事，兼具观赏性与文化内涵。古人认为，灯火能驱散黑暗与邪祟，点亮灯火便是点亮希望，如今，赏灯早已成为家人相伴、共享欢喜的温馨活动。

Viewing lanterns is the core custom of the Lantern Festival. Every year, streets and parks across the country are adorned with various lanterns, shining brightly and warmly. There are many styles of lanterns, including traditional palace lanterns, rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, as well as creative lanterns integrated with modern elements. The lanterns are often painted with landscapes, flowers, birds and folk stories, combining ornamental value with cultural connotation. The ancients believed that lantern light could drive away darkness and evil spirits, and lighting lanterns meant lighting up hope. Today, viewing lanterns has long become a warm activity for families to accompany each other and share joy.

2. 吃汤圆（Eating Glutinous Rice Balls）—— 一口软糯，岁岁团圆

元宵节吃汤圆，是刻在中国人记忆里的味觉仪式，南北通用，寓意“团团圆圆、和和美美”。汤圆以糯米为皮，包裹豆沙、芝麻、花生等甜馅，煮熟后软糯香甜、入口即化，既契合春日的温润口感，也承载着对家庭圆满的期许。北方部分地区会吃“元宵”，与汤圆做法不同（元宵为滚制、汤圆为包制），但寓意一致，都是对团圆的向往。

Eating glutinous rice balls on the Lantern Festival is a taste ritual etched in the memories of the Chinese people, popular both in the north and the south, symbolizing "reunion and harmony". Glutinous rice balls are made of glutinous rice skin wrapped with sweet fillings such as red bean paste, sesame and peanuts. Cooked, they are soft, glutinous and sweet, fitting the warm taste of spring and embodying the expectation for family reunion. In some northern regions, people eat "Yuanxiao", which is made by rolling (different from glutinous rice balls made by wrapping), but with the same meaning of longing for reunion.

3. 猜灯谜（Guessing Lantern Riddles）—— 灯下猜谜，暗藏巧思

猜灯谜又称“打灯谜”，是元宵节极具趣味性的民俗活动，始于宋代，流传至今。人们会将写有谜语的纸条贴在灯笼上，供路人猜测，谜语涵盖诗词、典故、生活常识等内容，兼具知识性与趣味性。猜对灯谜寓意“鸿运当头”，既能锻炼思维，也能增添节日氛围，是古人传递智慧与欢喜的独特方式，如今仍是元宵佳节的热门活动。

Guessing lantern riddles, also known as "playing lantern riddles", is a very interesting folk activity on the Lantern Festival, which began in the Song Dynasty and has been passed down to this day. People paste notes with riddles on lanterns for passers-by to guess. The riddles cover poems, allusions, common sense of life and other contents, combining knowledge and fun. Guessing the riddles correctly symbolizes "good luck is coming", which can not only exercise thinking, but also add to the festive atmosphere. It is a unique way for the ancients to pass on wisdom and joy, and is still a popular activity during the Lantern Festival.

4. 舞龙舞狮（Dragon and Lion Dances）—— 热闹收官，祈福纳祥

作为春节民俗的延续，舞龙舞狮也是元宵节的重要活动，寓意“驱邪纳祥、祈福纳福”，延续新春的吉祥气息。舞龙时，表演者身着彩衣，操控龙形道具穿梭跳跃，配合鼓点节奏，气势恢宏；舞狮则灵动俏皮，摇头摆尾间尽显喜庆，常与观众互动，传递欢乐。这场热闹的表演，既是对新春的收尾，也是对新一年国泰民安、五谷丰登的祈愿。

As a continuation of Spring Festival folk customs, dragon and lion dances are also important activities on the Lantern Festival, symbolizing "dispelling evil, attracting auspiciousness and praying for blessings", continuing the auspicious atmosphere of the Spring Festival. During the dragon dance, performers wear colorful clothes and manipulate dragon-shaped props to shuttle and jump to the rhythm of drums, with great momentum. The lion dance is agile and playful, showing joy in shaking its head and tail, and often interacts with the audience to convey happiness. This lively performance is both a conclusion to the new spring and a prayer for national peace, people's safety and a bumper harvest in the new year.

灯影寄情，圆满启程

Lantern Light Conveys Affection, Embark on a Complete Journey

如果说除夕是辞旧的不舍，春节是迎新的欢腾，那么元宵节便是团圆的圆满。它用一盏盏灯火串联起亲情与牵挂，用一道道民俗承载着文化与期许，在喧嚣与暖意中，为新春画上完美句号。这便是元宵节的意义——不止于灯火璀璨，更在于人心圆满，怀揣这份温暖与美好，奔赴新一年的每一场山海。

If Chinese New Year's Eve is the reluctance to bid farewell to the old, and the Spring Festival is the joy of welcoming the new, then the Lantern Festival is the completeness of reunion. It connects family affection and longing with lanterns, carries culture and expectations with folk customs, and draws a perfect end to the new spring in noise and warmth. This is the meaning of the Lantern Festival—not only the bright lanterns, but also the completeness of people's hearts. With this warmth and beauty, we embark on every journey in the new year.