Yuyuan Lantern Festival
One garden's glow, A thousand years of joy to know.
🏮Legends of the Lantern Maze
📜Origin in the Han Dynasty
Long, long ago in the Han Dynasty, King Liu Pi of Wu loved lantern festivals. He helped spread the fun of lanterns in Yangzhou. Later, the tradition traveled to Songjiang near Shanghai. People there began to enjoy watching lanterns during the Lantern Festival night. Over time, it became a happy custom—families walking under the moonlight, lanterns glowing everywhere, turning the night into a sea of light and joy.
🔥Stories from the Ming and Qing Times
In old Shanghai’s Songjiang area, the City God Temple and Yuyuan Garden became a busy cultural center. The Lantern Festival grew bigger and brighter here, with complete traditions like: “Wen Lanterns” (gentle, artistic shows) “Wu Lanterns” (exciting, martial performances) Lighting Day (the day lanterns are first lit) Thank‑You Day (the day to thank the gods when lanterns are taken down) Together, these rituals made the Lantern Festival a grand celebration, full of color, music, and meaning.
✨Wang Tao’s Record of the Splendor
In 1875, the thinker Wang Tao wrote about the Yuyuan Lantern Festival. He said the lanterns were like “trees of fire and flowers of silver, shining so bright!” He described how lanterns filled the pavilions near and far, “more lights than stars in the sky.” His words paint a picture of a magical night—lanterns glowing everywhere, crowds laughing, and the whole city sparkling with joy.
🧠Quick Cards on Rituals & Traditions
Q: What happens when legends meet the temple fair?
A: On the first day of New Year, families hurry to the temple to say a little prayer and burn the very first incense — it's like knocking on luck's door!
Q: Which animal gets the spotlight?
A: The 12 zodiac animals! Every year, Yu Garden Lantern Festival picks a new zodiac star — it brings good luck and family togetherness.
Q: What is "Lantern Lighting Day"?
A: Launch lanterns appear Gather lanterns meet Strut lanterns dance Welcome families greet Showdown prettiest wins Thanks day
Q: When do the lanterns go to sleep?
A: The 18th day! The lanterns blink their last twinkle, yawn a big yawn, and whisper, "Same time next year, friends!"
Q: Three bridges — what's the game?
A: Walk them all and call their name: "Yiqing!" for happy days, "Changsheng!" for long life's rays, "Ruyi!" for wishes sweet.
🎬Lantern Maze Unlocked: Video Guide
🌟Yuyuan Lantern Festival — SO LONG, FOR NOW! Same place, same magic, see you WOW!
📚Resources:
Pacific Photography Blog
Baidupedia
NetEase
Wikipedia
Intangible Cultural Heritage