Happy Lantern Festival

☆Happy Lantern Festival☆

The 15th day of the 1st lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival.
正月15是中国的元宵节。

According to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out.
根据中国的传统，新年伊始，当空中出现一轮明亮的圆月时，成千的彩灯就会被悬挂出来。

During the Lantern Festival, people will try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball).
在元宵节期间，人们会试着猜灯谜，吃汤圆。

In the Sui Dynasty in the sixth century, Emperor Yangdi invited envoys from other countries to China to see the colorful lighted lanterns and enjoy the gala performances.
在六世纪的隋朝,当时的隋炀帝邀请他国的外交使节来中国欣赏彩灯，观看节目。

By the beginning of the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century, the lantern displays would last three days. The emperor also lifted the curfew, allowing the people to enjoy the festive lanterns day and night.
在七世纪的唐初，彩灯的展示会一直延续3天。当时的帝王还颁布了宵禁令，允许人们昼夜地庆祝节日。

In the Song Dynasty, the festival was celebrated for five days and the activities began to spread to many of the big cities in China.
到了宋代，人们会用5天的时间来庆祝元宵节，该节日也开始蔓延到许多中国的大城市。

Today, the displaying of lanterns is still a big event on the 15th day of the first lunar month throughout China.
今天，正月15挂花灯在整个华夏大地仍就是一项很隆重盛大的活动。

The fillings inside the dumplings or Yuansiao are either sweet or salty. Sweet fillings are made of sugar, Walnuts, sesame, osmanthus flowers, rose petals, or jujube paste etc. A single ingredient or any combination can be used as the filling . The salty variety is filled with minced meat, vegetables etc.
汤圆的馅有甜，也有咸。甜馅可以由糖，胡桃，芝麻，桂花，玫瑰花瓣，或者枣泥做成。一个成分或者任意几种成分的组合都可以用来做汤圆的馅。咸馅则可以由碎肉末，蔬菜等做成。