The History of Lantern Festival
元宵节的历史由来
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.
元宵节至今已有2000多年的历史。它开始于西汉武帝时下令所有的人在当晚点灯，以示尊敬佛。从那时起，这个节日很快普及。在唐宋时期，花灯展示继续连续5个晚上，从农历正月13开始到17。在清代，节日变得更加认可，因此花灯展示从农历正月8日开始到17，连续10个晚上，历史上时间最长的灯笼展。如今，在城市公园或露天广场，各种灯笼高挂展示，宫灯、奔马灯、花灯和植物灯笼等。到璀璨之夜，会吸引很多平时很少夜里出来的人。