中英雙語話中國民風民俗 第58期:元宵節的歷史由來
The History of Lantern Festival
元宵節的歷史由來Lantern Festival has a history of more than 2 000 years. It started in West Han Dynasty when emperor gave orders that all people light lamps at that nightto show respect to Buddha. Since then the festival soon popularized. In Tang and Song Dynasties,lantern display continues for 5 consecutivenights,starting from 13th to 17th of the first lunar month. In Qing Dynasty, the festival became even more recognized,as lanterns displayed from 8th to17th—a 10 consecutive nights, the longest time in history. Today, in city parks or in the open squares,various kinds of lanterns are highly hung and displayed, and palace lantern, running horse lantern，flower-and-plant lantern，etc. have added to the bright night and attracted many people who rarely come out at night.
元宵節至今已有2000多年的歷史。它開始於西漢武帝時下令所有的人在當晚點燈，以示尊敬佛。從那時起，這個節日很快普及。在唐宋時期，花燈展示繼續連續5個晚上，從農曆正月13開始到17。在清代，節日變得更加認可，因此花燈展示從農曆正月8日開始到17，連續10個晚上，歷史上時間最長的燈籠展。如今，在城市公園或露天廣場，各種燈籠高掛展示，宮燈、奔馬燈、花燈和植物燈籠等。到璀璨之夜，會吸引很多平時很少夜裏出來的人。
